New to all this, have some questions

Hey everyone, I am new to this site. I have been researching tons about weight loss surgery the past week. In my head, I have pretty much decided that this is what I want. 

About me: I am 25, turning 26 this year. I have three beautiful kids and an amazing husband. I have been overweight since like the age of 10. My first pregnancy I gained 90lbs and have gradually put on weight since then. I now have a BMI of 57. I do have some stress in my life but who doesnt, right lol. I have suffered from post-partum depression. Have some anxiety issues. Most of all, I have lost all control of my body. I feel like I cant control how much I put in my mouth and Im sure most of you can relate to that feeling. Still wanting to eat even when you can feel you are full. I wake up every morning with one thought in my head; I dont want to live like this anymore. I have tried the vi-shakes, green coffee pills, PGX, apple cider vinegar..I have exercised and something bad always happens. The last time I started I was almost 2 weeks into it and then I woke up one morning and couldnt move. I drink a lot of water, I always stretch after my workouts. And it still happened. I feel like my body wants to give up on me. My ankles and knees are wearing down. Ive started to walk funny, my feet dont want to stay straight anymore. I take vitamins, I dont work out currently for fear of being out of commission but I have a 5 year old, 2 year old and 8 month old so I am always on my feet. Running up and down stairs, I am always on the move. I sit to eat, go to the bathroom and at the end of the day when my kids are in bed. I keep a neat home. So obviously its not about being lazy. The lowest weight I have ever been is 200 lbs and that was the summer after graduating high school. (almost 8 years ago)

I have scheduled a doctors appointment with my family doctor to talk about my options. Its not until July and do have some questions for those that have gotten their surgery in Winnipeg.  The surgery I would like to have is the VSG. I feel like that would be the best fit for what I want. Do they do that here? Is it covered by MB health? Do they also cover some of the extra skin removal? How long should I expect to wait? 

Any other information or advice anyone can give me would be so appreciated. Questions I should ask my doctor etc. 

I have read up on information about going to Mexico. We are tapped out to the max so that is in no way an option for me. :(

They do offer the VSG and RNY at the Victoria Hospital through the bariatric program. And yes they are covered by Manitoba Health through the program. You and the surgeon decide which surgery is best for you but it will depend somewhat on any health issues you have like Diabetes, reflux etc. Manitoba only covers the removal of the apron of skin on the stomach and there are guidelines for that as well.

If you get referred you will here if you are accepted or not and then you wait for your information session. Times vary but I think the average is 3 years. After the info session you will fill out paperwork and start working on the goals they mention at the session. They don't actually say start doing this and this but do it anyways. You will meet the team(psychologist, nurse, dietician and kinesiologist) 2 months after info session, then 2 months after that and usually if you are showing compliance and a willingness to change you will get your referral to the surgeon. Again wait times are different just depending on the caseload. I had surgery 3 weeks after meeting the surgeon.

I had the RNY because I had Diabetes, high blood pressure and reflux. Within a week of surgery my health issues were resolved and I have had no side effects from the surgery. I just had my 6 month post op and things are going well. I am done 110lbs from my referral weight a nd have never felt better. I love to go to the gym and feel so much happier.

Hope this helps .Good Luck!

Karen

Oh my gosh! Congratulations on the weight loss!!

Thanks for your reply. Will I have to go to the city for all these info sessions? I'm guessing yes? Probably a dumb question lol. I am borderline diabetic, I haven't been diagnosed but with my last pregnancy I was pushing gestational diabetes. I was able to control it without meds. My arms and legs keep getting tingling feelings and that's really been freakin me out :/ 

All the sessions are out of the Victoria Hospital. You also have to complete The Craving Change program which the clinic runs or you may be able to find in your area. They told me if I took it outside of the clinic to make sure I got a letter from the agency saying I completed it. It is a lot of travelling (1 hour one way for me) but worth it in the end. I was able to do all my Craving change (4 - 2hour sessions) in the summer when I was laid off. You cannot take it through the Victoria Hospital until you have had your info session and have seen the team for the first time.

Probably a good idea to get the tingling check out and I agree it is scary. My biggest problem with Diabetes was my sugars were so high and didn't matter what I did they wouldn't come down. Made the decision early last year to go on meds and even then I didn't get great control. I also go lots of yeast infections from the high sugars. During the 2 week pre op diet my sugars were dipping to 2.8 in the afternoon and I had to quit taking the metformin. Have not had to take it since.

It's an hour drive there for me as well, my clinic does have the craving change program and I was going to do it but there were some scheduling conflicts. I'm not opposed to going to the city 100 times if I have to lol