Letter to Theresa Oswald

  Dear Theresa Oswald,    I am writing to talk about my personal battle with my weight and subsequently my health. I was referred for Bariatric Surgery in December by my GP.  I received a letter from the Bariatric Clinic in February stating that I have met their criteria, and am accepted in to the trials for Weight Loss Surgery in Manitoba.  I feel so fortunate to be accepted into the program.  I have recently joined a Forum that discusses Bariatric Surgery in Manitoba.  One of the most common questions is how long will patients be waiting for this surgery that will ultimately save their lives.  I joined this forum in November, and at that time the average wait time from a Doctor diagnosing a patient as morbidly obese to the time that they got the life saving surgery that they need was approximately 11-12 months.  In fact, a personal friend had the surgery (Gastric Sleeve) in December, and was exactly 3 days less a year from referal to surgery.   3 short months later, patients who need life saving surgery are being told by the single clinic that performs the surgery covered by Manitoba Health that they will have to wait an average of 30 months from the time their Doctor diagnoses their patient with morbid obesity until the time that they will ultimately have their life saving surgery.    Since I would not leap blindly into a life altering surgery, I have been doing plenty of research on the topic of Bariatric Surgery.  Here are a few things that I have learned. 

• I can go to mexico to have the Gastric Sleeve surgery for a cost of $4,500, plus costs for travel. Not exactly an appealing solution, but I can book the surgery and be on the operating schedule in less than 2 months.
• I can go to a private clinic and get the Gastric Band surgery for a cost of about $16,000.  I do not have that kind of money.  But I can schedule at the Western Surgery Clinic and have the surgery in less than 2 months.
• I have also learned that in Ontario, the average wait time for Bariatric Surgery like Gastric Bypass or Gastric Sleeve is less than 1 year. 
• I have also now learned I now have to wait for 30 months for this same surgery in Manitoba, because it is simply a trial and not opened up to a fully operational program. 
• Once I have this surgery, my life WILL change.  I wont be able to eat all the foods and not as much as a "normal" person will.  If I get the Gastric Sleeve, the portion of my stomach that produces the hormone that makes me feel hungry will be removed.  This means that I will no longer feel like I am hungry an hour after I eat.
• I know that if I gain any weight in the next 3 years, which I likely will, I will not be approved for surgery until I am back at the weight that I was when I was referred. 

  Please consider the Bariatric Trial as a full program.  It breaks my heart to know that I will have to wait 30 months for this surgery.  By then, my 8 year old will be 11, my 11 year old will be 14, and I will be nearly 42 years old.  I want a life back!  I want to feel healthy again! I know you are thinking; I should just go on a diet, and perhaps I should, but I have done diets before, I exercise, but I don't lose weight the same way as most people do.  I have to diet to the extreme. I have to essentially starve myself.  If I want to lose weight, I need to reduce my calories to 700-1000 per day and exercise to see any success.  That is unsustainable on your own.  Twice, I have lost over 100 lbs only for the weight to return. I need this surgery to maintain a healthy weight.  My point here is that we are people, people don't have a hidden disease, we wear it on our faces, in our tight, or ill fitting un-stylish clothing.  Making fun of an obese person is the only form of acceptable bigotry in today's society, I live this everyday.  The stares, the pointing and the dirty looks when I get a sandwich at lunch it's a heartbreaking reality everyday.  When there is a birthday at work and someone brings in cake, I hear the whispers when I take my piece. It's not fair, and it hurts to the core.   I have read somewhere that the cost to Manitoba Health for this surgery is approximately $7,000.  I am praying that I wont have to go through Cardiac Bypass surgery in the meantime at a whopping $16,000 for the surgery alone, let alone the cost for recovery and follow up visits.  With the amount of extra weight I am carrying, I am almost certain that I will eventually need a knee replacement also ringing in at $16,000, or a hip replacement ($16,000).  This weight loss surgery is a cost effective measure to help reduce risk of developing cardiac, and endocrine disturbances, including coronary disease and diabetes mellitus, as well as some kinds of cancer.    Thank you for taking the time to read this.  I am praying that you may take it into consideration when meeting and making a decision on whether or not to make this a full program like it is in other Provinces. 

 OH.. I forgot to add my favorite example of bigotry, ******** driving by and screaming out the car window  "You're Fat" ... 
Thanks for the newsflash..

Here, here!!! Bravo..that is an awesome letter!! Very well thought out and heartfelt. You should definitely send this and I hope she answers you.

It takes a very brave person to write a letter like you have.  I am very proud of you.  You have so eloquently articulated the emotion and physical struggles obese people have to live with on a daily basis.  You have spoken from a research "evidence based practice" view point which makes sense from every angle (financially as cost burden to the system and medically).  I had my surgery 12 months ago and have lost 130 ish lbs.  I now exercise hard core and I am HEALTHY.  I finally have a life.  I am so thankful and blessed to have had the opportunity.  We all need to stand up for this program.  I have written letters to Theresa Oswald in the past and hope others will do the same.  I wish you well on your journey and pray it is expedient. Because our voices will be heard.  We have to believe that. 

 I wrote too. The letter I recieved in return wished me luck on exploring my new healthy lifestyle! It was so helpful.  

 wow.. how incredibly condescending.. 
fantastic.
how long did it take to get your response?

 it took 3 weeks, I'd love to hear what she says to you. I was totally discouraged. The response letter addressed nothing in regard to the points I raised. But hey, I'm just a fat chick, so who cares?

I kind of feel the same way as I have written at least twice and both times it has seemed like a form letter that never really even reflected on any points I raised.
It's sad that people aren't willing to help an obese person receive medical treatment but someone who wants to quit smoking has all sorts of resources. I remember CTV posted an online poll about whether the RHA should fund WLS and close to 70% of people said no. Just shows how much education needs to be done in our society.
Karen

Amazing letter!

Can you please provide the mailing address?  So we can send letters as well?  

I went to Theresa Oswald's website and got her email address from there.