Day One.... or something like it

Hello,
So, I've been battling weight issues all my life, had some weight loss successes, and some failures. I've considered surgical solutions a number of times over the years, have a dear friend who is now 7 years post op...

Every time in the past when I've started doing any investigation - the options seemed to be either more invasive than I was comfortable with, or too expensive, and too far to even consider.

It was very surprising to me to discover that there are now local options in St John's . I've still got I suppose 1000 questions, still scared as hell, still not sure or mind made up. The only thing I really do know for sure is.... something has to change.... now.

Some things that helped me make up my mind. 

If I could lose it on my own I would have by now.

Statistics show that even if we did manage to lose the weight without surgery, we have only a 6% chance of keeping it off.

Losing weight will cut your risk of cancer by 50%

Losing weight will reduce health risks from diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease just to name a few.

Most importantly I wanted to be an active participant in my families life again.  Not just an observer.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Tina

yes... all of the above.

it's been a bit of a revelation that perhaps the choice is now mine.

Practical issues:
Don't have a family doctor to speak of - tried findind one when I moved here to CBS, but I've only seen him twice in 3 years and not much of a 'connect' there...... don't know even where to begin with the referal

Emotional issues:
Yeah, the permanency of it scares me to death. The friend 7 years post op - Rouyn Y - wasn't sucessful, other medical issues (Lupus) and a botched revision - nothing that was any fault of her own. Hasn't put me off it, but it is a cautionary tale. Sometimes things DON'T go as expected.

Willpower? Hell yes. Self Deprivation? Not so much. I'm a foody and a cook - food, cooking, it's always been my particular art form talent skill - Gods knows all that and life long weight issues I *know* nutricion, I eat well.... I eat too much. But can I face giving up my art for the sake of having my life back.... now that my weight issues are actually affecting my quality of life.

I want to explore these options, these possibilities, this hope, I'm not ready to commit to this yet - but I'm a lot closer to it than I was.

This surgery is merely a tool.  If you do not use it right it will not work for you.  Do your research and see what's really involved.  It took me 3 years to be ready to commit.  On the "Weight Loss Surgery" tab above you can click on "Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy".  That will take you to a page strictly about this surgery where you can find many answers.  There is another website called www.verticalsleevetalk.com  It is a wealth of information about this surgery.  You can ask questions on either of these sites and get answers from others who have gone through the surgery.

Best of Luck

Tina

Hi OceansEdge - The decision to have weight loss surgery is one that should be made after much research and thought and consideration. But I guess you already know that. As an RN who works in ER, I understand the difficulties you must face not having a family physician. We see patients ALL the time who come to ER because they have no other way to see a doctor. ANY physician can make a referral for you to Dr. Pace, as long as they are comfortable doing so. Of course a family physician is preferable - because he/she knows you, knows your health history, and probably has some insight into your reasons for seeking WLS. But any doctor can do a referral - and I would imagine a nurse practitioner could also do one for you. So please don't think that not having a family doctor will keep you from starting the process. I have often said that the 3 yr wait from the time of my first appt in NB - to the time of my actual surgery - hard as it was - actually served as a time where different life experiences only cemented my decision that WLS was right for me. I shake my head at people who decide to have WLS and 6 weeks later are post-ops - of course they have self paid and gone out of the country to get WLS that quick. If someone can do that and be confident in their decision and never look back and never have a second thought - I applaud them. I couldn't have done that. I am too much of a thinker. This is big surgery, with real risks and benefits. And a year post op I ended up with a Petersens Hernia - requiring emergency open surgery, a gastrostomy tube for a month etc etc - you can read my profile. I was out of commission for a while. But would I change anything - NOPE. Good luck to you!

Thanks all.... I am taking this slowly, considering and researching carefully .... that's why I'm here *grins* It is a big step - it's gonna take me time to get there, to decide whether or not this is right for me, and if I'm ready and able to make the committment to the process. It won't work without that committment, and there's no point in taking so permanent a step if I'm not ready to face what it'll demand of me.

 Hi Ocean, 

Dr.Jackie Verge at Summerhill Medical clinic is wonderful.   It takes two weeks to get an appointment (I am not sure if she is still accepting new patients).   Also, I have heard good about Dr. Elizabth Bannister at Summerhill as well.

There are also some female Dr's at the Kelligrews Medical Clinic.  Dr. Phillips- I believe is soon leaving on maternity leave. But there are other female Dr's there too.  

Hope this helps!