New here!!!!

 Hi there!

I posted this somewhere else before I found this forum. 

I am a 21 year old female in Edmonton interested in possibily persuring weight loss surgery. I just don't know where to start. it is so over wheleming. 

I am 5 foot 4 and I Weigh 334 lbs so from what this site has taught me. I am eligable 

As of a few years ago...I have not had any  real health concerns. But i have gained probably 30-40 pounds since then.  I had no diabeties high blood pressure or anything. They said slightly high chloresteral. Generally surpised on how healthy I am.  I do need to go in and get checked ou and make sure I am healthy again soon. Just have basic health care ( what ever the province gives us) my mom had to take me off of hers bcause I am 21 now and not in school this semester. So until I am in school in September or until I have been at a job for 3 or so months. and get their medical coverage. So if blood tests etc is going to cost me I am going to have to wait a bit... to get started on the whole process

THANK YOU!! To anyone that gives me any advince 

Hello. Welcome to the group.  I am a patient at the Red Deer clinic.  Each clinic has different requirements.  You need a referral from your doctor to a clinic.  My doctor sent it in by email. I have heard others have had to call or fax.

Judging by your height and weight you will qualify for the program without needing comorbidities. Those are high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.  I do not have those and since my bmi was over 50, I qualified.

It can take a while to get into the program. My referral was sent in August and I got a phone call in December for an appointment in January.

In Red Deer you get an assessment from the nurse, then you have an appointment with the surgeon. You watch a video regarding weight loss surgery and then the surgeon weighs you and assesses you.  You then start a one cup diet - three meals a day.  No cheese, no bananas, no junk food, no pop.  You can only drink decaf coffee, tea, skim milk and water.  You are required to lose 10 percent of your body weight so that your liver can handle the surgery. It also teaches you how to eat before surgery.

The Edmonton program is slightly different. You have to take some classes and do modules.  You can be referred to any program, I think, as long as you are ok with travel for appointments.

I hope this info helps.  Any questions please feel free to ask.

Take care,

Mel

 SO i would have to loose approx 30 lbs before i could even concider? or does that happen after you have had app


have you gotten your surgery yet

 Hello. You lose the 10% after you have seen the surgeon. He will give you a goal. I was asked to lose a little more than 10%. I was asked to lose 40 pounds.

No I do not have a surgery booked yet. I am still in the losing phase. Today is my first food journal check and weigh in. It been about 5 weeks on the one cup. 

 So you meet with a surgern and start the loosing process and then you work on booking it etc?

how much have you lost in the5 weeks

and .. like so for break fast only one cup of food, one cup of something for lunch etC?

Hello. Yes in Red Deer you meet with the nurse and surgeon and start your one cup diet. You are in the program. One cup for breakfast, one cup for lunch and one cup for supper.

I have lost 30 pounds in 42 days on the one cup diet.

Hi! I'm just starting this journey at the Edmonton clinic.

In short how our clinic works is you need to First book yourself into some modules. They are classes about nutrition, exercise, and obesity issues. Once you have booked those modules you will then need to go to your dr and have him fill out and fax in a referral form to the Weight Wise clinic of Edmonton. The dr might have the form but it might be best to go online and print it off and bring it with u to your appointment. From there you will be placed on a waiting list to get into the clinic, which takes aprox 2 months. While you are waiting to get into the clinic you will be taking those modules. After you get your first appointment at weight wise it is all on an individual basis. They say it takes from 6-12 months to have surgery. They just want to see that you are emotionally and physically ready for it.


Here are the numbers to contact ( they are very friendly and helpful)


780-401-BOOK (2665)

(Central Access), 780-735-5620


Central access normally will call u back within 24 hours and can help answer any questions.


Booking number can help you with modules and any referral questions

The weight wise program has changed a little since I started and had surgery but I would highly recommend this program.
I waited 12 months to get a acceptance letter and then another 2 months until I had my first appointment at the clinic. We did and still do have to take modules which are great and helpful but now you have to do 4 before even getting to go upstair to the clinic.
I am told that the wait isn't as long now but you do have to still get a referral from your family doctor and seriously some doctors don't even know about the program. You can go on the Alberta health web site and print off the referral form and bring it with you to your doctors appointment. I know someone else posted the link here in the last week so you may want to search through some of the post and find it.  Alberta Health covers all of this cost so it doesn't matter that you have no insurance. Blood work shouldn't cost you anything either.
This forum is an awesome tool for information. You will learn so much from here and if you are interested in perusing weight lost surgery you can get a jump start on things and start tracking you steps each day, keep a food journal and track when and why you eat, some of us are emotional eaters and don't even realize it. These steps will help you when you do get yoiru first appointment at the clinic.
Good Luck and I'd say go for it.

Kee.