When I did the program it was 6 classes but is likely similar in topics: nutrition, emotional eating, meal planning, eating out, exercise, mindfulness: all classes around how to manage the lifestyle change that surgery requires.

After the classes you will likely have appointments with the nurses, nutritionist and psychologist. I cannot stress enough how valuable and amazing these people are. And how important the classes are, too. Please, please take in all the information and start living it as it will have bearing on your post-surgical success.

My surgery was about 15 months after intake. I'm not sure what the criteria are for denial oif surgery but I know that you need to demonstrate/show your willingness to make the needed lifestyle changes, to embrace and live what they teach you. They will not operate on someone who it isn't willing to change how they eat, move, live going forward. It's major surgery and expensive: you have to follow the plan.

Andream33...I got my Group Orientation letter in the mail today for November 26th in Red Deer so just over 4mos after approval.

Congratulations on your weight loss so far! I had my surgery in Ontario & my wait was 13 months. Keep doing what you are doing - tracking & making healthy choices. This wait, while frustrating, is a fraction of the time you'll be living with the surgery. Continue to use it wisely & you'll be setting yourself up for success.

You've already done really well.

Hi Andrea,

I was wondering the same thing and asked a generalized question about it (didn't want to go into specifics since it's a group setting), they said they will certainly take into consideration any weightloss that was done prior to the first appointment. The main reason they go from your weight at your first appointment is that referrals don't always include a person's accurate weight. Also, the 10% is not really a number set in stone either, it's a general goal that they strive for but everyone is looked at on a case-to-case basis :)

I went to the orientation in Red Deer today, didn't really learn anything new but it was good to get a few lingering questions answered (like that they no longer do the 1-cup diet). I was expecting the first intake appointment to be a couple weeks, but unfortunately the earliest appointment available was December 16th! They said it's generally 8-12 months from your first appointment until surgery.

I'm SO ready for this, have been tracking my food for the past 6 months and have lost 58lbs on my own so far (15% weightloss). I figure if I keep doing what I'm doing then it should be a pretty easy transition :)