New here with lots of questions!

Hello everyone! My name is Lisa, I'm 28 years old and anxiously awaiting WLS.

A little background of where I stand right now:

My Dr. referred me for gastric bypass this past summer, and due to an oversight by her office, I was not notified that I had received a rejection letter from the surgeon stating that I did not meet the criteria. My Dr. was confused and went over the criteria with me and couldn't understand why I was rejected. Her office contacted the surgeons office and I only now found out why I was rejected: because I am a smoker.  Apparently, I need to be quit smoking for at least 6 months before I can even get a consultation.  Obviously I should be quitting anyway, and coincidently, I have been making many attempts over the past 2 months to finally quit.... but I am so disappointed! That means I have to wait at least 6 more months before I can even get the processed started even a little bit?! :( I have tried to quit and failed so many times over the past few months, it's really taken a toll on my confidence... I now have (another) strong reason to quit, but I feel so defeated already!

I joined this board because I am hoping that reading all of your success stories will keep my drive to quit in the front of my mind, and remind me why I need to stay quit for good this time!  You all seem quite close to each other, and I'd love to hear from "locals" who have had this surgery done.

But, I am armed with many questions! I'm sure you've probably answered these before, so I'm sorry if these questions are redundant (and for the amount of questions I have! Thank you in advance for taking the time to answer them!)

1) How long does the pre-op process take until the time you have your surgery and what is involved? (i've heard of meetings with nutritionists, psych, etc.)

2) When meeting with psych, what is it that they are looking for exactly? I have a history of depression that has been controlled without medication for a few years now, but I consider myself "high risk" to relapse into a depressive episode. Would that "disqualify" me from getting surgery?

3) Apart from normal post-op discomforts, how was your recovery? How long until you begin to feel "normal" again?

4) Is it true that you can no longer drink pop? (or any carbonated beverage)

5) Has your life changed negatively in any way due to the WLS? (the way people look at you, body image, intimacy with spouse, etc)

6) Apart from the obvious physical weight loss, what were some of the other changes in yourself or your body that you've noticed?

7) Does "loose skin" happen to all WLS patients? I am not normally a person concerned with vanity, but I am worried that I will hate my body more afterward (because of the skin) than I do now (because at least I and my husband are used to the extra cushion!) Does Manitoba Health cover any kind of plastic surgery afterward?

8) How many surgeons in Winnipeg do gastric bypass? Is it by MB health referral only?

9) What advice would you give to a nervous newbie like me? :)

Thanks so much for reading! I look forward to reading some replies!

Yes you do have a lot of questions!  I'll try to help as much as I can.

I had my surgery just over 2 weeks ago and I'm doing great so far!

1. pre-op process once you see the team is about 6 months but it varies.  There are goals set and work to do.

2. Psych appointment, depression doesn't necessarily disqualify you but you would have to go through that process yourself.  Each person has different issues.

3.My recovery is good.  As i said, had surgery just over 2 weeks ago.  I took pain meds less than a week.  "Normal" is a good description of how I feel now but I'm not hungry and I feel that I'm eating a lot even though it's very little.  The nurse actually gave me the go ahead to start eating soft minced foods because I was doing so well with the puree diet.  I have not had any nausea.  I have heard that this isn't always the case. Many have had complications and nausea but would do the surgery again in a heartbeat!

4. Pop - it's recommended that you don't drink any carbonated beverages because the bubbles actually help stretch the pouch. 

5. Too soon to tell.

6. I've already been taken off high blood pressure and reflux meds!  Yay!

7.  Loose skin is going to be there but the younger you are the easier it is to recover.  I've seen some ladies have good looking arms but I already had batwing arms so that's going to be an issue.  MB health covers lower stomach skin removal, called panni surgery.  It has to be approved first and has to be for medical reasons, which it is.

8.  The team consists of 3 surgeons at this time.  Your own doctor has to refer you to the program.

9.  This isn't a quick fix as some would like to think.  Do all the work given pre-op to help you succeed post-op.  This is a life long change and your eating and physical activities will change for life if you want it to.

Good luck!

Thanks!

I was worried that I might come off as someone thinking this is an "easy fix"... I know it's a lifestyle change, and I am prepared for that. I have 3 very active children, and already I'm missing out on too much because of my weight.  I'm not being defensive, just wanted to make sure I wasn't sending the wrong message. I haven't researched too much into gastric bypass, and I didn't even realize all of the different types of wls.  Reading about all of these people going to Mexico for the sleeve has made me wonder if that's a better option too...

it's a relief to read that the pre-op process is only about 6 months! I was reading as recent as Sept on this forum that the wait list was 3 years? (maybe i'm mistaken)

Anyway, i know it was alot of questions, thanks for taking the time. Hopefully by this time next year, I'll be 2 weeks post op too! Congrats on your surgery and I hope all goes well!

1) How long does the pre-op process take until the time you have your surgery and what is involved? (i've heard of meetings with nutritionists, psych, etc.)  I waited from Oct. 31/12 to June 13th for my first group session, then had my surgery on Nov. 7/12, the program keeps changing to make things better so the wait times keep changing as well.

2) When meeting with psych, what is it that they are looking for exactly? I have a history of depression that has been controlled without medication for a few years now, but I consider myself "high risk" to relapse into a depressive episode. Would that "disqualify" me from getting surgery?  I think they just want to make sure you can handle this and use your new tool to lose the weight AND keep it off

3) Apart from normal post-op discomforts, how was your recovery? How long until you begin to feel "normal" again?  I am 5 weeks post op and so far my recovery was pretty good, my energy level gets better every day.

4) Is it true that you can no longer drink pop? (or any carbonated beverage)  Some say you can't drink it some say you can, our Dr's. here say no,  I think the longer you can stay away from it the better.

5) Has your life changed negatively in any way due to the WLS? (the way people look at you, body image, intimacy with spouse, etc)   Can't really say yet, but I get TONS of compliments that sometimes are awkward for me.

6) Apart from the obvious physical weight loss, what were some of the other changes in yourself or your body that you've noticed?  I feel SO much better inside and out, my confidence is coming back and my poor body does not hurt nearly as much!

7) Does "loose skin" happen to all WLS patients? I am not normally a person concerned with vanity, but I am worried that I will hate my body more afterward (because of the skin) than I do now (because at least I and my husband are used to the extra cushion!) Does Manitoba Health cover any kind of plastic surgery afterward?  I think it depends on a few things, I think the younger you are the less loose skin you will have,  Not much is covered except the panni ( I Think )

8) How many surgeons in Winnipeg do gastric bypass? Is it by MB health referral only?   3

9) What advice would you give to a nervous newbie like me? :)   learn as much as you can and then learn some more, start making changes to your diet and exercise now, don't wait for the surgery, it will help you out in the long run!

hello and welcome to the board.i am 19 mths post op,i will help with your questions as best i can

1) How long does the pre-op process take until the time you have your surgery and what is involved? (i've heard of meetings with nutritionists, psych, etc.)I was refered in august of 2010 and had surgery may26 2011.my start to finish is different than it is now.we did not have the group sessions like now.i met with the shrink,dietian,drs, all with in a week as i made myself availble for first appointment they had

2) When meeting with psych, what is it that they are looking for exactly? I have a history of depression that has been controlled without medication for a few years now, but I consider myself "high risk" to relapse into a depressive episode. Would that "disqualify" me from getting surgery?I hear that the new psych is very nice and seems to be well liked.as for depression it is a normal thing,i would suggest that you talk with her at your meeting and check in with her once in awhile.if she knows that you are prone to depression she will keep an eye on you to make sure every thing is going ok

3) Apart from normal post-op discomforts, how was your recovery? How long until you begin to feel "normal" again?i had the summer off as i work in education.but i did go camping for a week at 4 weeks out.at about 6-8 weeks i was feeling really good.

4) Is it true that you can no longer drink pop? (or any carbonated beverage)YES.I have not had a pop since 2 weeks pre op(i really miss it)i tried a sip and didnt like the way it made me feel

5) Has your life changed negatively in any way due to the WLS? (the way people look at you, body image, intimacy with spouse, etc)Yes and no.i will do the no part first.after my surgery i had horrible periods and so over the next year it didnt get better so they did a hysterectomy and 2 weeks later had complications.Now for the good parts.i feel more confidant,outgoing.i dont want to hide in my house any more.i love shopping.Sex is different,what worked before may not work after.so its experimenting time.people look at me differently guys are checking me out now and i have a daughter the same age  lol thats creepy.I have met so many wonderful people here that i have visited in hospital or gone for coffee with so they have someone to talk to.

6) Apart from the obvious physical weight loss, what were some of the other changes in yourself or your body that you've noticed?see above

7) Does "loose skin" happen to all WLS patients? I am not normally a person concerned with vanity, but I am worried that I will hate my body more afterward (because of the skin) than I do now (because at least I and my husband are used to the extra cushion!) Does Manitoba Health cover any kind of plastic surgery afterward?you will have some lose skin for sure but it depends on what you do after surgery.the girls here are always commenting on my arms as i have no bat wings but i have lose stomach skin and inner thigh.this is inavoidable as we lose weight.i am currently waitng to hear if the panni is covered as i have already had my referal

8) How many surgeons in Winnipeg do gastric bypass? Is it by MB health referral only?

9) What advice would you give to a nervous newbie like me? :)learn as much as you can.make sure you have support of some kind from familyASK US QUESTIONS.

i hope it didnt seem like i was rambling on.but i wanted to answer you r questions as best i could

sondra aka newfie99999

I haven't had the surgery yet but have met with the team and am getting closer - YAY!!  I can only help answer a few of your questions:

1) How long does the pre-op process take until the time you have your surgery and what is involved? (i've heard of meetings with nutritionists, psych, etc.).  The pre-op process after your initial orientation is about 6 months, however the time from your acceptance letter to the initial meeting is averaging about 1 year.  So in total from the time you get your acceptance into the program until your surgery about 1.5 years but that can be longer/shorter depending on your cir****tances, changes in the number of surgeons or if they open up the criteria.

2) When meeting with psych, what is it that they are looking for exactly? I have a history of depression that has been controlled without medication for a few years now, but I consider myself "high risk" to relapse into a depressive episode. Would that "disqualify" me from getting surgery? I had a short history of depression years ago and we discussed it but it did not cause any problems in my timeline. 

3) Apart from normal post-op discomforts, how was your recovery? How long until you begin to feel "normal" again? Can't answer

4) Is it true that you can no longer drink pop? (or any carbonated beverage)  Yes, it could stretch your pouch and you don't want that.  I've started to stop drinking it already so it won't be hard after surgery.

5) Has your life changed negatively in any way due to the WLS? (the way people look at you, body image, intimacy with spouse, etc).  Again, I haven't had the surgery yet so I don't know however I've read about a lot of spouse insecurities and higher divorce rates after WLS so I have had many discussions with mine already to hopefully stop it before it starts.

Keep asking questions, the more you know, the more you communicate with the important people in your life the better.