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Congrats! I am so glad you are doing so well! I have surgery on Sept 17th in Victoria
LA
Hi All
I just signed up for this forum/site recently. I have been lurking and reading posts and replies for some time and just recently had my RNY surgery on July 31, 2018 in Richmond. The wait for the Richmond team was about 2½ years from referral to orientation. I had my orientation in January 2018 so it was about 6 months after that for surgery.
My highest weight, in May 2017, was 394 pounds (I'm male and 5'11" tall). I lost some weight on my own and by going to Livewell (medically supervised exercise clinic) and after the orientation I continued to work out, using the guidance of the (Bariatric) Certified Exercise Professional (CEP) that is part of the Richmond Team (and what they taught me at Livewell). I was 354 pounds on orientation day.
I set a goal to try and get down to 300 pounds by the time of surgery, not knowing exactly when (or if) they would clear me and was 293 pounds on surgery day. I was in the hospital for two days and, ironically, weighed 298 when released due the large amount of IV fluids they give you.
The wait for the Richmond procedure was worth it - the team is very professional, well organized and was able to accommodate my needs in regards to scheduling all the appointments, tests and interviews as I live live in the Fraser Valley and it is a 2 hours commute to the Richmond hospital. They have a manual you can purchase for $10 and it is work every nickel (no more pennies) as it is very comprehensive.
I have been fortunate so far in that I have not experienced any nausea or GERD/indigestion at all. I have not experienced any feelings of hunger at all and I am currently in week 4 (pureed foods) of the diet plan.I have lost 33 pounds, as of yesterday, since leaving the hospital (22 days ago) and my BP has dropped down significantly.
For those on the wait list for Richmond - keep the faith, have patience and once they call you for an orientation you won't believe how fast the time flies.
Kurt_1957
Hi Dyani,
Sorry to hear that you had the lapband and that it hasn't worked out for you. And I can't answer your questions, but I'd suggest that you ask on one of the main boards because there's so little activity here on the BC board.
Not sure, either, why you're asking in particular about Dr. Amson, as there are another two (I believe) surgeons now on the team in Victoria, as well as those in Richmond. I haven't yet met Dr. Amson, but most reports are that he doesn't have the "best bedside manner."
I'm curious why your doctor likes the program in Victoria. Even aside from the travel, I personally think it's much less patient-oriented than Richmond from the communications I've had and the orientation I attended in Victoria as well as anything I've heard by word of mouth.
Do call. You don't want to find out a year later (or worse, longer!) that the referral didn't go through and the waiting time (this was Richmond) is now a year longer than it was when you requested the referral. (Ask me how I know to offer this caution...) And feel free to ask questions. It's the receptionists' job to answer them, and in my experience, they are friendly and helpful.
And yes, there are programs you can do in the meantime. Dr. Lyons in Coquitlam has one, and he works with anybody in the province, even if you can't get in to Coquitlam for all aspects of the program.
And track your food. They like that. (At least for the Victoria program.)
And I had my orientation on June 28. Or maybe I should say that I attended a very rushed PowerPoint presentation that left me glad that at least I had a fun little holiday in Victoria...
Have either of you looked into Dr. Lyons' medical weight loss clinic in Coquitlam? Unfortunately he's connected with Richmond, which now has a much longer waiting period than Victoria, but his program sounds very good whether you ultimately have the surgery or not.
Thanks! I would like to get it done in Richmond as I'm in New West, but my doctor likes the program in Victoria. Would be nice for a third program/facility since it is needed.
Try to talk him into referring you anyway. You will have plenty of time to decide if you want to do it (or to get talked out of it) -- the wait list for Richmond is now 3 to 4 years!
Victoria now has a shorter wait. And I keep hearing rumours about a "Fraser Valley" program but have no details whatsoever about it.
Would very much like to know more. Has she really left the Victoria program? And what is this new program??
Hi There..ill be friends...but I haven't had the surgery yet if that's ok...lol I'm still waiting for the call from the clinic...
Kathy S. · 0 replies · 883 views
