I can cut out the carbonated drinks, but really struggle with carbs. My background is African and ethnicity is South Asian so carbs are a way of life.

I don't eat a lot of rice, roti/naan but make up for it in other ways like chicken or beef burgers, pasta, or bread.

I can cook more North American cuisine, but that is also a chore and not something my wife likes to do or can do easily.

I know the process is long, but also hearing the things you're having to do (dietitian, psychiatrist etc.,) I suspect the process is designed that way on purpose whereas if you pay to get it done you probably bypass some of those steps.

Thanks - I'm on a FB group for Bariatric Surgery as well, and some people have had excess skin and many have not, without doing any type of "scientific study" there is no way to tell who will and will not have sagging skin.

The group is composed of people that have had it, or in the process. Most are US patients but there are some Canadian in the group as well.

I lost this forum for over a year. It takes over two years waiting list to start the Richmond Bariatric and Metabolic program covered by Medical Services Plan of BC. I had my orientation in June. As I recall I was frustrated with the initial registration and confirmation I was on the list. I think the way it is done is that your (my) GP prepares a letter of request. The clinic then replies and the doctor faxes the application. It took a month or two for that process in my case, including the GP's time to prepare the letter. He included some weight information including a graph. I record my weight on an Excel spreadsheet but I think he used his own weights he recorded at his office. The graph looked good but, long story short, I continue to gain weight. I had a second visit to Richmond, From Prince George, two weeks ago and met with a Dietitian (90 minutes), and a social worker for 45 minutes. I now have a scheduled phone appointment with the dietitian in October and two scheduled video appointments with a psychiatrist in October and November. I have a history of depression so thus the Psychiatric requirement. I am recording my foods, cut out caffeine and most carbonated drinks but I struggle to cut down much on carbs.

Give it a few weeks -- at least 3 or 4. It can take that long for a referral to be processed, and you'll cause extra work both for the referring office and the hospital staff if you ask too soon.

Thanks - I think I will call by the end of this week as it is one week tomorrow since I saw the endo.

I'd rather **** someone off than patiently wait and find out it was missed.