I GOT THE CALL!!!!!

Yes Mary, if I didn't call in. I would never have gotten a call because Janice lost my referral. Which I think should never happen !!! How can a doctor's sec. lose a patients file , records, whatever. That is completely boggling to me.

Congrats to all who got there call.   I must amit that I am a a bit jealous, but also happy for everyone. 
I only sent in my referral about a month ago. They have received it but I never asked where i am on the list.  I have been working alot and unable to call. I did leave a message one day, I hope that counts..lol

I called one day at lunchtime around 12:25 and got an answer.  Can you call on your lunchbreak?

Hi nlwomen: Welcome, we all feel the same way. Happy to hear about the sucess of others but jealous at the same time. It's only natural. We cannot control who the doc sees first , second, etc. we are at his mercy....LOL 

Hey Gals,

Sorry I've been delayed in replying - I only had my iPad in the hospital with me and while I'm resting here at home, so not able to actually post replies on Obesityhelp.com (for some reason****il I'm at a real computer.

SO HAPPY to hear that you got the call Tina!  Terrie and others here, I am praying you all get one soon too.

I spoke with Dr. Pace briefly about where he is going from here, as I knew you ladies would want to know, and my understanding is what myself and Tracy (the other lady who was done on Friday) were sort of the guinea pigs (my words, not his). He said he is planning to see about 50 people in June for their initial referral appointments and then will re-start VSG surgeries in July, doing two per week on Mondays. I think he said they have initial funding from Eastern Health for about 70 - but I would assume that the program will be extended indefinitely as long as there is need.

No, I don't have any idea of the criteria - or why I was picked for the kick-off day - but I imagine it did have something to do with my BMI. Tracy, the other patient, seemed a similar BMI to me.  While I had high blood pressure as my co-morbid condition, hers was diabetes. I think it is safe to assume that we were chosen because while we did meet the criteria for morbid obesity, we were both in otherwise okay health, both in our late 30's, and probably considered good candidates for a safe surgery.

The only way I can "make it up to you" is to continue to tell you about the details of our process and hopefully be a success story that will help you along on your own journies - as so many others have been my inspiration - shout out to Mary C! - as I go along.

Cheers beautiful ladies,
Jenn

Please don't feel you need to "make it up" to anyone Jenn.  Someone had to be first and it makes sense that since Dr. Pace is new to this surgery that he would choose the most ideal candidates to do first.  But please do keep us up to date on every little detail.  Contratulations on a successful surgery!

Hi Jenn, Thanks for adding me as a friend....how are you feeling? I was wondering if the goal chart is what your weight was when you started your journey to the new you? I am around 15 lbs heavier then you so do you think I'm considered low risk like you? I don't have any medical problems per say...just bone problem and Arthritis from several surgeries. I'm trying to grab on to any hope here..lol..Did you have your surgery laproscopic and what is the pain level like? I hope you have a very speedy recovery.
Take Care ,  Carrie

Thanks Jenn - you are too kind! I just want to pay it forward and help out anyone I can. And I do appreciate the need that people hoping for surgery have to "grab on" to any info they can while they are waiting. I remember being in the same boat - I read the main RNY message board often - learning and taking in all I could. I do think you are EXACTLY right Jenn - that Dr. Pace probably chose patients that were "low risk" so to speak - for his initial surgeries. I didn't realize he did 2 surgeries last Friday. Not sure who she is - but wishing her all the best. And - beautiful ladies in waiting - don't lose heart - don't give up - I waited 3 yrs - and I did get there - and you will to - and the bonus for you will be that you will be in your home province. Take care everyone!

Hi Mary: I am so glad for you and Jenn. Giving us all the info. and good wishes for speedy
surgeries. I finally got my call this morning for June 16th. now I'm worried that he is going
to tell me that he can't do my surgery because of all my problems. Which I hoping to have
the surgery to help with the problems....oh my. I know there are people who had this
surgery that were worse than me but with more experienced surgeons. I am wondering
if he is going to be afraid of doing me. I have high blood pres., sleep apnea, can't breathe
when laying flat on my back,( I've been sleeping in sitting position for 2 yrs. now) 
cellulitus in my legs ,I'm pre-diabetic (7-8 readings mostly) plus, I am 5ft. w/a BMI of 54.
That would scare an experienced surgeon. 

Terrie your referral most likely lists your BMI and your conditions.  Don't worry about things that may not happen.  Your just going to drive your blood pressure even higher worrying about everything.  You'll just have to get in there and convince him that there's more danger to not doing it than to doing it.  I've read on some other sites that for people with very high BMI's they sometimes recommend VSG first because it is an easier safer surgery.  It can later be converted to Gastric Bypass by performing a second procedure once some of the weight is lost.  VSG has been successfully done laproscopically on patients up to 500 pounds.  You won't know anything until you get there so try to stop worrying.