Hello Catherine

I'm Terry from Cold Lake Alberta.  The traveling really sucks but it will all be worth it in the end.  I have been with the Edm clinic for two years now and just singed with the surgeon, now about a year and a half till surgery , if all goes well.  Your assesment appt isn't to bad.  They ask a lot of questions to get to know you and your health.  Take a list of meds you on including vitamins,  There is no physical exam but they do take you weight.  I hope this helps :o)  Welcome to the clinic!  If you enail me you email, there is a bariatic facebook club that has been so helful as they talk about everything and support during our jouney!   It's an invite ownly so if intrested I'll recomend you.  Its called the Bariatric Sisterhood and is a fantastic group!

Terry

So begins your journey of dieticians, nurses, psychologists, etc..... Good luck.   You will be able to do a lot of appointments via phone calls and through your networks in the NWT.   Prepare for a 2 year wait from start to finish.

Hi from the north,

I'm Catherine and I have decided I would like to have WL surgery.  A bit about me....I am 33y/o and I live in Yellowknife Northwest Territories and have struggled with my weight for close to 28 years, I think I started gaining weight in kindergarten.  It's been a life long struggle as most of you know.  I also have quite a few medical conditions; I am a type 2 diabetic(diagnosed at age 15), severe psoriasis with Arthritis, and sciatica. I pretty sure I also have sleep apnea. Yay me right? Anyway, I have tried all kinds of fad diets I am able to lose a bit of weight but then gain it back and then some. I swear I could eat only lettuce and still gain weight. 

I was referred to the Edmonton Clinic for bariatric surgery 2 ½ years ago by my doctor. As I live in Yellowknife that service isn't offered here but the NT government does cover the cost in Edmonton-thank god!  I honestly didn't think I would get the call, after waiting for so long but on Monday(August 8) I finally got a call for my assessment appointment in Edmonton, my appointment is set for September 27. I have been doing a lot of reading, obsessively to be honest. I am curious if anyone else from the North has had surgery or are waiting for surgery in Edmonton.

Can anyone tell me what I should expect from my assessment appointment? I'm hoping I can do a lot of the appointments in Yellowknife as I don't want to be traveling every month. I have already taking the craving change course and am hoping that means I am ahead a bit. Any advice or tip you guys can give would be greatly appreciated!!!

Besr of luck with yoursurgery today......it's a new beginning!    :)

Hey all, just wondering what everyone does for workouts / exercise? 

do you go to the gym? workout at home?

Thanks!