Questions about the Weight Wise Program In edmonton

 Hi there. i was referred to the WWC in Edmonton, and took just over a year to get my first appointment. My first appointment was on DEC 1st 2011, my surgery (gastric bypass) was May 16, 2012. so four months. I was told by both my nurse and nut that all my poop was in a group. i lost 85 pounds on my own, had no real health issues (aside from obesity) . I took all the modules while waiting for the referral. I live in Calgary. I am now 4 months post op and have lost 65 pounds since surgery . i have lost a total of 150 pounds. I am around 70 pounds from my goal weight, and predicted 60 pounds skin removal after that. I had some complications from surgery, severe dehydration, ulcers, and incision infection. i am doing well and getting used to my new normal. The program does make you jump through hoops, but i believe it is to prepare you for later in life. So my advice is get starting the lifestyle changes now. it's a journey. Learn what made you obese to start with, and deal with any issues you have now rather than later. Enjoy the small victories, and know that you will fall, but get back up dust yourself off and keep going. be kind to yourself and love yourself. i wouldn't change any part of my journey...Good luck to you all

I have been through the entire weight wise clinic, before the wait times were as fast as they are now. I had gastric bypass on May 24th, 2012 by Dr. Birch. When I was in the clinic I had a billion questions and no one with experience to answer them. So if you want to know something ask away! I will give you an honest answer....the good, the bad, and the ugly, and how I feel now.

It took a year for my referal until my call, 2 months until my first visit, 6 months until referal to surgeon...and now i'm still waiting for a date.  My referal was the end of May and I'm due for a call within a couple weeks....they say hopefully surgery by xmas...but we'll see... 

the wait is frustrating for sure...but i know it'll be worth it....

I am just investigating surgery and after doing quite a bit of reading about how you have to go on a strict diet before the surgery, I'm starting to wonder what the benefit of the surgery is...if I could lose weight, I wouldn't need the surgery??? I understand that they want you to have the best information and tools, but I'm confused as to what will be different once I have the surgery if I still have to meet strict diet requirements after the surgery...I weigh 270lbs/5'6" and have carried most of this weight for 20 years. I am on blood pressure and cholestarol meds and have osteoarthritis. 

What's different...
You know that constant, grinding "eat it ALL!" hunger? It's gone. I get mildly hungry occasionally, but it's "hmm, I'm feeling a bit empty. Oh! No wonder - lunch was supposed to be an hour ago."

And let's not forget the huge amount of food we can fit in - I had no "full switch" at all, then would hurt from the amount I'd packed in without thinking. Now - well, I just had lunch: one of those teeny tins of tuna and 6 wheat thins. I'd planned on 1/2 an apple as well, but I'm comfortably full and will have the apple later.

I've lost just over 50# since the start of my pre-op diet, am off my BP and cholesterol meds, rarely take the pain meds that I used to need twice a day just to function and just returned from 10 days in Honolulu, where we snorkelled, paddle boarded (I fell off a lot), walked for hours, shopped and generally had a great time. I don't need a belt extender on the plane anymore, I fit the "one size fits all" dresses (bought 3) and am the world's cheapest date when we go out for a meal.

There are some challenges, of course. I look up restaurants ahead of time if possible so I can plan what to order. I've had to rethink my whole relationship with food. My family is having to adjust to different meals since I don't cook anything I can't have at least a little of. I need new shoes. (Your feet shrink, too)

What I'd do differently - I'd have booked my surgery in Mexicali the day after being turned down here. I learned a LOT from Weight Wise, but I knew I had more to lose and that the surgery was right for me.

Thanks, that makes sense. I've been doing a lot of reading, trying to make a good decision. I live in Edmonton and am 52 years old. I'm worried that if I go for the private surgery out of province that I won't get the post-surgery support - even though it's promised by most companies. On the other hand, I don't want to wait 5 years going through the process here and then have them tell me I don't qualify or that I'm too old. My BMI is 43. It's nice to talk to someone who is going through it. Thanks.

I'm in Edmonton, too, and would be delighted to meet for coffee if you like.

I get my aftercare from my family doctor, who has been terrific. Dr Aceves has an aftercare person named Gaby who is great about answering emails and calls, and Dr Aceves is willing to be called by me or my GP anytime. He sent a surgical report, printouts of the labs and EKG I had done down there and my chest and barium swallow xrays to my GP. (which he added to his file for me)

My sis went as well and had her sleeve done the same day. She's lost 42# and is starting to add calories to slow her loss. She's 59, was 190# and would not have qualified here at all. She's THRILLED with her results, as is her doctor, who is doing her aftercare.

We'd both do it again in a heartbeat.

Wow, I'd love to meet for coffee. It's very generous of you to agree to meet with me. How can we make contact. I'm new to the forum and don't want to break any privacy rules. 

I'll send you a private message. You'll see a tiny red 1 beside the word Messages at the top right of the screen.

Kelly-Anne

I just had my first few appointments at weight wise Edmonton. I got nothing but positive news from my nurse and dietician. They said if i keep on track with my journal and pay attention to their advice that within months they would put me through to the waiting list. (i have been journaling and making positive steps towards a healthy life style for a few months now before my first appointment) the nurse said that they would like to see me loose 10% of my body weight, but that it isn't a prerequisite for surgery. And they really don't want you to be on a strict diet, they want you to be eating in a way that is sustainable for the rest of your life. (lose of 1-2 lbs per week)
I have yet to see the psychologist or MD, that is next month, so i might have a different opinion aster that, but so fast so good.