Weight Wise Referral!

Hi All,

I've been contemplating WLS for a long time now and have spoken to my GP about a referral to the Weight Wise program in Edmonton.  He said no problem send me the form and I'll fill it out.  Well it's two weeks later and it's still sitting on his desk as he is away or busy etc.  I am on absolute pins and needles waiting to get this moving.  I'm just wondering how long did it take for you to be referred?  Are there many people who are denied for surgery?  If so , do you know why?

Hi Melanie,

I spoke with my GP in Dec 2012 and requested she refer me. I was invited to the bariatric program @ the old Children's Hospital in Calgary. I started weekly classes in March of 2013.Completed in May. I also had a monthly meeting with one of the dieticians and saw the psychologist once a month. I was told not to hold my breath as there were many many people waiting for surgery ahead of me. 

If this were me I would be making another appointment with my doctor and having a " face to face " with him/her and explain that this is a quality of life issue. No fudging around with yours, send the referral.

I was not turned down , rather I have been placed on a list with as many as 150-200 people waiting for surgery. I called last week and asked them to please remove my name from the list. I can't wait the amount of time that they suggest. No plan meant failure to me.

I was devastated as I have a hip that must be replaced soon as I am barely able to walk. I have opted out for surgery in Mx. Its always an alternative to the " waiting list"

Hopefully some one from your own area will post and they can assist with the questions regarding time and issues.

Be well

Lori

Hi Lori Is the weight loss program at the hospital the only one to be referred to. I'm thinking about meeting my family doc soon to start the ball rolling.

I'm almost 3 years out from surgery so things might have changed but I waiting 1 year after my referral before I got into the clinic. I did at that time the required 9 month program and was approved for surgery then waited a short 5 months for surgery, the reason I say short is because I was told it could be up to a year wait for surgery but I got in with 5 days notice on a cancelation and lucky for me I didn't have to do a liquid diet so it all worked out.

When I went through the 9 month program I met lots of people some who had surgery and some who were denied surgery for various reasons. Being referred and accepted into the program doesn't guarantee you surgery. There were various reason from not being mentally prepared, health risk, eating disorders that surgery wouldn't help. The nurse, doctor, psychologist, and nutritionist will all work with you but you have got to follow what they tell you and show you're willing to change, they require you to lose weight while in the program and some people didn't which was another reason for not getting surgery. I don't know if it has changed but once I was approved for surgery I wasn't allow even .2 of a pound gain at my final weight in before surgery. I was told if I gained my surgery would be canceled.

On the upside it is life changing and I wouldn't change a thing about my journey.

Good Luck.

Kee.

  Hi there

I'm one of those people on the Weight Wise waiting list for surgery.  The first step I took was to have my family doctor refer me to the Weight Wise program.  This enabled me to begin to participate in the Weight Wise modules.  After taking three modules, I was able to make an appointment at the Weight Wise clinic and see their dietician.  My appointment was six weeks later (September, 2012) due to a cancelation.   By the time I saw a Weight Wise clinic nurse and dietician, I had completed all of the modules and begun my own weight loss journey (using many of the strategies learned.)    I have continued to visit the clinic every four to six weeks until I was approved for surgery which occurred in late April, 2013.  I was told to expect a wait of approximately nine months but have had no update.  Since AHS has cut back on surgical times, I'm hoping to get a clearer answer at my next week's appointment.  I now go in to see the dietician and clinic nurse every six to eight weeks.  None of this happens quickly but it has given me the opportunity to revise my eating habits and begin an exercise program.  I am in a much better space now than I was a year back to take the next step in my journey.  I hope this will be of some help to you!   

HI Ms, 

I enjoyed reading your post. I wish you the best of luck on your journey. It sounds like you took what you learned in the program and put it to great use. Like you I did the program and did I ever benefit from it. While I attended for the 6 months I dropped 11 pounds on my own. It was fantastic !! The one thing I had a hard time with was the chewing 23 x's . .laughs. I either have really sharp teeth or I chew aggressively !! grins its always like mush. But, that is good for my next stop as I have to eat pinkie size bites to start and chew chew chew !! 

As far as the exercise went I was not able to due to hip. It is hard to sit and watch when I know in my heart that weight loss is a hand in hand function between exercise and mindful eating. I have been back swimming as its easy on my hip.  When I am envious watching one walk their dog or ride bike I head to the pool. Even sometimes just to lay on my back and tread water with my hands and feet. 

You sound determined and that gives me hope when I see anothers words regarding their journey. Thank you !!

 

Talks soon

Lori

Yes, people are turned down, and sometimes for reasons that will surprise you. I went through the program a few years ago, did all the modules, weighed, measured and journaled my food, showed up for everything - basically did everything I could to be a "poster child" of compliance - and was turned down. Why? Because I'd lost 45# and they didn't think I'd lose more than another 10-15# if I had surgery. My blood pressure, high cholesterol and chronic pain from arthritis, bursitis, sciatica and fibromyalgia didn't matter because they were "under control" with medication. I was 258# at the time.

I was devastated, as you can imagine, and was very glad my husband was with me to cry on. 10 minutes after walking out of the room Dr Sharma came back with one of the surgeons and said that since I'd done so well, if I could keep the weight off for 6 months they'd approve a panniculectomy for me.

Move forward 6 months (of frantically maintaining my loss while constantly hungry) and I had a fall in our back yard that ripped open the base of 1 thumb and tore intercostal muscles. Let's add severe pain, minimal sleep because of the pain and 6 weeks of minimal exercise. Back came 12# that refused to leave. I finally called the clinic in tears and they said I could go back, but would need a new referral. I could expect to be back in the clinic a month after my referral went in. A month later I was given an intake date at the end of August. (this was at the end of May)

I hung up, had a cry, then looked at our savings account. Many hours of research, a visit with our family doctor (who has been amazing) and 5 days later I booked my VSG with Dr Aceves in Mexicali on June 26th. My surgery went well, I was completely pain free by day 3, home a few days later (my hubby and I played tourist in San Diego for a couple of days), out for lunch (broth) with friends within a week and off all meds except my synthroid, a muscle relaxant and an acid reducer before I was back in the pool 3 weeks after that.

I'm older than many (57) and not a hard core exercise type, so I'm sure not Barbie, but I'm also not 270# anymore. I can walk for hours, play with our darling grandbaby and am working on our packing list for a second trip to Hawaii. Last year we went paddle boarding. This year it'll be kayaking and hiking. Life's pretty darned good.

Kelly-Anne

Kelly, 

First let me say . . Your story made me sad as like you there are many people out there that are waiting with bated breath for the call to come. I am fortunate that I had the finances and was not willing to wait any longer than Aug of this year. I felt that if I was going to be picked I would have already have heard by then. I only decided to have the WLS in Feb , doctor sent referral immediately and I was in classes in March. Whoo hooo I thought. I am on my way !!  I did like you, I did everything and anything that was advised. I thought I would be  a prime candidate as with my hip issue my quality of life is low. 

I know that there are many worse off then myself. I was just not willing to wait. And when I started doing a little investigating regarding how the surgeries are relegated I knew that I was not waiting another single minute. To hell with our health system. I would find another way to achieve my dream. 

I read your profile and it made me proud to know that you took control and by the smile on your face you your living your dream. You give myself and others courage to continue.

Thanks for all the info on the protein drinks. 

Thanks for sharing also

Talk soon 

Lori

I was referred 4 years ago and it took a year to get in.  I have heard that the weight time now is shorter and people have been getting in in 3 to 6 months.  The clinic can deny people for several reasons (Your current medical History and your willingness to journal are a couple of the reasons I have heard.)

Just remember that this is a lifestyle change.  I always think that I never got fat overnight so I will not get skinny overnight.  I had health complications and I was not allowed to have surgery for the first 2 years I was in the program but I worked through them and had my surgery on April 3rd of this year.  

Some people are approved for surgery and other people are not.  You will have to see a nurse, dietician, psychologist and a internist and they all have to agree that you are emotionally and physically ready for surgery.  It is a long journey but I have learned so much from the clinic.

Thanks so much everyone for sharing!  It got me through the wait.  My referral was finally faxed off today, now just have to wait a couple of days for my info to go into the system at the Weight Wise office (I have read a few posts where people said they waited a year to hear back only to find out that their referral was never received).