Hi there everyone. i am 36 married to a wonderful man and mother to an amazing 4 year old daughter. i Have been obese since the age of 10ish. my heaviest was last year at 350lbs . i was down to 275 a few months ago but have started gaining ....AGAIN. i am currently 295lbs. i am booked for an assessment for the weight wise program in  Edmonton on Nov 30. i go next week to do my modules. does anyone have any experience on this program, tips or advice. from what i understand they do the sleeve, gastric bypass, and Lapland, so i may get to choose, but i don't know. I am leaning towards Lapland. i am just hoping they will give me a surgery either way. i am looking to make some new friends who understand. thanks

Hi there seeking freedom!
I'm still kinda new to this site too. Joined the end of September.
I initially was going to get the lap band done at the Maples medical clinic. I actually saved up for it and went to see Dr. Bracken. During the consult he gave me alot more info and the band just wasnt for me. I didn't like the idea of having a port, reminded me too much of cancer treatments my mom had. He then told me about the pilot program that the Vic is doing and he referred me last October. During the summer I went to meet the surgeon, then the psych dr and just recently the nutritionist. Any of them can deny you if they feel you are not ready for the surgery. Just got my surgery date recently and I'm currently on the pre-op diet that they have you go on for at least 2 weeks. My 2 weeks are almost up. I go in for RNY- gastric bypass surgery this monday.
I'm 38, married and have 2 young children. Before I started the pre op diet I was 239 pounds and 5'4. With the pre opt diet I am down to 225 and still have half a week before the surgery. I hope to go in weighing 220.
Everyone on this site are amazing. They shoot from the hip and are caring. I have not met anyone in person yet as I missed the last meet and greet but everyone is very supportive. You will not find any better anywhere else.
I hope all this info helps.
J.

 wow thats soon. good for you, thats awesome. you must be on an emotional rollercoaster. i've read over some of the posts, and agree that everyone sounds super. i'm pretty housebound ( between physical and mental health issues, though i must say i'm doing very well on my happy pills, lol) so i don't have alot of close friends, i was googling wls and found this forum, and felt that it looked very supportive. just hope i'll be accepted if i'm a lapbander. :) i know my psychiatrist tried to refer me to the same program you are in, but i think my bmi and co morbities were an issue at that time, i've since lost 50 lbs so i hope this program in edmonton will help me. i don't mind the idea of a port. ( i'm into body piercing and tattoos so i'm used to being poked with needles) but have not decided for sure which is for me, at this point i don't even know if i get a choice.

Welcome! As Mama-of-2 said, everyone on her is amazing. They have been a huge support for me from right from the start of my journey. I have also had the honor of meeting many of these beautiful ladies. We try to do a monthly meet and greet and I really look forward to seeing everyone.

You may want to read more about how people do with their lap band. From what I have read it has the highest failure and complication rate. You may want to check out the group about failed lap bands. From what I have read most revisions are from the lap band. I wish you great success with what ever surgery you choose. 

http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/failed_lap_bands/

 thanks oodles for the link, i will definatly check it out. i'm definatly undecided at this point, it's a hard decision. ack! all i know is i've had enough and am going to do something,,,,,,, finally

Hello, welcome to our group. I'm Michelle.

Getiting surgery is the best thing that I have done for myself. I had diabetes before surgery and it had been in remission since I went on my pre-op diet. I got RNY Jan 17th of this year.

Whatever surgery you chose will be the right one for you. Make sure to really research the risks and benefits of all before you chose.

Mich

 how did you get your ticker so small?

I agree with cedarstar, read, read, and get informed.

I had the VSG in Oct 2010 and would tell anyone and everyone to it!!  I have lost 116lbs!!

I love my sleeve,
Michelle


PS there has been a few local girls that have gone self pay to get their sleeve done in Mexico, think they paid around $8000cdn..

Hi, Welcome..i'm fairly new here too...been just over a week...i happen to come across it and it is a great place..everyone here is so kind, caring and welcoming. and if you have any questions , they will post answers!  very informative. I'm also 36, married to a great guy and have 3 kids. I too have been on the heavier side all my life. I actually was 352 at my heaviest september 19th when i started the gym . i've been working out trying to get down to my goal weight of 320 before I go in to see Dr.Vergis on the 1st of december.  I weighed in this morning at 333lbs...so i'm on my way!! I'm a lil undecided between the VSG and the RnY..but i'll discuss with Dr. Vergis which will be best for me.  Are you from Winnipeg?  How come you're going all the way to Edmonton? i'm not very educated in this area..lol  Nice meeting you!

ttys Nicole

 nice to meet you too, thanks for writing. 
yes i,m from winnipeg, point douglas area, though hubby and i dream of living in st james one day when hes done college. I don't know why i was not refered or accepted into the same program you are in. I know my psychiatrist tried to refer me to one that dr bracken was doing to study the vsg. but i was too big at the time, i don't even know if my endocrinologist tried to refer me to the one you're in, but i've been on the waiting list for the weight wise clinic in edmonton for a year, and finally got my assessment date a month ago, its nov. 30, so now i have to rush to do these 4 modules( which are basically classes on weight loss ) which i have to go to edmonton for. they sent me a requistion for a ton of blood work, and an ecg, which i am to bring the results when i attend my assessment on th 30th. i called and asked the drill, apparently after my assessment i could have a surgery in 4 to 12 months. i don't know much about the program as i could not find anything on line about it. i know they do the vsg, rny and lapband, so i don't know if i'll even be given a choice. mb health is covering the plane fare but not hotel or taxi or food, but they will cover the surgery when its time. i hope to learn more during these modules next week.