where do we start
Hello, this is our first post, our son is obese and we do not know what to do to help him. He is 21 years ols and weights more than 500 lbs. He has severe sleep apnea, and high BP. He has given up we fear. We are on the wait list to see Ellsmere in Halifax but have been on it for 2 years. Based on the information on the Halifax Obesity Networks home page his BMI is 73.2. Is there anyone out there that can help us and our son on this road, we have written to every one in the government to no end. Any help would be most appreciated.
Linda
Linda
i am so sorry to hear about your son's situation and wish there was an easy answer for obesity and how to get into the clinic sooner. have you tried getting hims so additional help via his doctor for maybe a nutritionist? i attend a support group on face book called owlssuport.com it is for people seeking/wanting/or have already had weight loss surgery of some type of the other. with this group i have gained not only courage but awesome friends while also gaining some self respect for myself. what part of NS are you in I would love if you son is willing to go for even a short walk even just once a week to get him out and then maybe increase it more and more. I am currently 372 lbs so no tiny girl myself and just started at a gym with slow and steady work out adding a minute or 2 every week . I really enjoy it and i truly sleep better the day i do the work out. I think if i lived closer to to the gym i would go daily. hope to hear from you soon and if your son is on face book get him to add me if he likes its Lillian Coakley
My goals to a healthy me 
Hi Linda.
Two years ago I was 550 lbs if not more, diabetic on 90u & 80u of insulin, high blood pressure, and a hernia that has my gut fully outside my abdominal wall. Things changed big time in my life that I realized my health was in desperate need of change.
I went on a 1500 cal diabetic diet along with my husband and in the process of helping him, I helped myself get started losing weight and getting healthy. After he died in July 2010 I finally went to the doctor for me, and she refferred me to a surgeon who then referred me to Dr Ellsmere for my hernia repair.
On Feb 25th I seen Dr Ellsmere. I was 440.1lbs. He looked at me and asked me "How committed are you to this?" It took me back a bit, I felt I had just lost 120 pounds... I was committed.... and told him so. He said good, then said for me to lose 30lbs then he will do Weight Loss Surgery (for WLS is not given to anyone with a BMI over 60)....he then said once I am down to 250 he would then fix my hernia. When I went home I researched their website and studied their info and from what I read I knew there was more I could do to help myself so I went down to eating 1200 calories, continued working on behavioural changes, fine tuned things and started walking.
I wasn't contacted for the WLP until June 15th... their info session and now have a date for my one on one on Nov 8th. Their system is definitely slow, slower than what pace I am losing at for I more than likely will be very close to 250 when I see them come november. As far as I am concerned, if they want to do WLS I will take it... and they can do it when they repair my hernia. It definitely is a tool I will be able to use to get me to my goal n keep me there.
Losing weight is alot of work, hard work. Alot of changes and mental battles to conquer with self. to change ones lifestyle forever.... and that is what it is all about really...change. There is no way I can go back to the way I use to eat, and won't. I know that now .... that yo yo string is now broken. Some rely on WLS as the ultimate thing to losing weight... but in all essence.. it is only a tool...much of the hard work comes from the individual.
When a person is in that place, we do tell ourselves lies and give up very easy. But when you come to that place, that defining moment when you know you have to do something.... YOU CAN DO IT!! I hope your son is at that point.... ready to get healthy and change.
Two years ago I was 550 lbs if not more, diabetic on 90u & 80u of insulin, high blood pressure, and a hernia that has my gut fully outside my abdominal wall. Things changed big time in my life that I realized my health was in desperate need of change.
I went on a 1500 cal diabetic diet along with my husband and in the process of helping him, I helped myself get started losing weight and getting healthy. After he died in July 2010 I finally went to the doctor for me, and she refferred me to a surgeon who then referred me to Dr Ellsmere for my hernia repair.
On Feb 25th I seen Dr Ellsmere. I was 440.1lbs. He looked at me and asked me "How committed are you to this?" It took me back a bit, I felt I had just lost 120 pounds... I was committed.... and told him so. He said good, then said for me to lose 30lbs then he will do Weight Loss Surgery (for WLS is not given to anyone with a BMI over 60)....he then said once I am down to 250 he would then fix my hernia. When I went home I researched their website and studied their info and from what I read I knew there was more I could do to help myself so I went down to eating 1200 calories, continued working on behavioural changes, fine tuned things and started walking.
I wasn't contacted for the WLP until June 15th... their info session and now have a date for my one on one on Nov 8th. Their system is definitely slow, slower than what pace I am losing at for I more than likely will be very close to 250 when I see them come november. As far as I am concerned, if they want to do WLS I will take it... and they can do it when they repair my hernia. It definitely is a tool I will be able to use to get me to my goal n keep me there.
Losing weight is alot of work, hard work. Alot of changes and mental battles to conquer with self. to change ones lifestyle forever.... and that is what it is all about really...change. There is no way I can go back to the way I use to eat, and won't. I know that now .... that yo yo string is now broken. Some rely on WLS as the ultimate thing to losing weight... but in all essence.. it is only a tool...much of the hard work comes from the individual.
When a person is in that place, we do tell ourselves lies and give up very easy. But when you come to that place, that defining moment when you know you have to do something.... YOU CAN DO IT!! I hope your son is at that point.... ready to get healthy and change.
Hello, I realize it has been a long time since we have been on, but I am wondering if I may ask you for some advise? Brandon's dietician has spoken to Diane Lawlor, who has advised that Brandon needs to go on the liquid diet for two weeks and then follow a 1200 cal diet for three months and then back to the liquid diet and so on. This is the first contact with the weight loss group in Halifax, and it seems to have given Brandon some hope. Both of these diets have been provided by the dietian. This is the best news we have ever received. Brandon started the liquid diet yesterday and so far so good, he finally seems to be commited. We even have your story from the newspaper on our fridge as inspiration. Our question to you is what brand of protein powder and what flavour do you reccommend. The stuff we got for him he is not liking at all. We are in a very small town (Liverpool) and do not have a lot of choices. Also any suggestions you can give would be wonderful. I have tried to convice him to come on this site but he is shy, and does not like to post to a group. We thank you in advance you truly are an inspiration.
Robert and Linda
Robert and Linda
I use a whey isolate protein powder (vanilla icecream flavor) Kaizen Powder from Costco. It is a 4lb jar for approx $35.00 and i also use the pre mixed premium protein shakes also at Costco.
i seen at GNC some shakes i may soon try they are their lean shakes.
i use an unflavored protein whey isolate powder from superstore.. had gotten it on sale n seems fine. and i use it in broth.
i really like the diabetic boost as well as glucerna... they are easy and no mess.
while on my liquids i used cottage cheese blended with milk and kaizen powder. also soups.. sugar free jellos and yogert thinned with milk.... i drank alot of milk it seemed lol my food logs are all viewable on myfitnesspal http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/diary/nsblue and everything that i have eaten since april 1st is there... even the 5 weeks i was on liquids etc.
On the diet he will be on after the 2 weeks liquids it will be boost or glucerna meal replacements with one meal with protein salad and veggies etc...I started june 14th after my info session and since that day i have over 105lbs off.... so their program works...just focus on it...follow their plan n the weight will come off. work on behavioural changes and it will make a difference big time. if you have any questions...just message me or on facebook...Melanie Bates.
i seen at GNC some shakes i may soon try they are their lean shakes.
i use an unflavored protein whey isolate powder from superstore.. had gotten it on sale n seems fine. and i use it in broth.
i really like the diabetic boost as well as glucerna... they are easy and no mess.
while on my liquids i used cottage cheese blended with milk and kaizen powder. also soups.. sugar free jellos and yogert thinned with milk.... i drank alot of milk it seemed lol my food logs are all viewable on myfitnesspal http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/diary/nsblue and everything that i have eaten since april 1st is there... even the 5 weeks i was on liquids etc.
On the diet he will be on after the 2 weeks liquids it will be boost or glucerna meal replacements with one meal with protein salad and veggies etc...I started june 14th after my info session and since that day i have over 105lbs off.... so their program works...just focus on it...follow their plan n the weight will come off. work on behavioural changes and it will make a difference big time. if you have any questions...just message me or on facebook...Melanie Bates.
Hi Linda,
My heart goes out to you.. seeing your son struggle cannot be an easy thing when you're helpless. I applaud your determination to help him. He'll need you by his side throughout his journey to a heathier life.
You can certainly get in contact with Lillian on Facebook, and she will refer you to a private support group with patients who have just had, or are waiting for weight loss sugery. The facebook group is private, and any posts/inquiries made to the group are only visible by group members. We've all been there, through the same struggles and faced the same obstacles.
The group meets every 3rd week. There are no fees for this group or for attending meetings.
Capital Health, Halifax -- has an Obesity Network that deals with bariatric surgery. Their website is:
http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/obesity-network
On that link, you will find all kinds of information with suggestions like special diets, etc -- that you can attempt while you're son is waiting for surgery.
All the best to you and your family.
If you need to privately message me on here, feel free.
Take care.
My heart goes out to you.. seeing your son struggle cannot be an easy thing when you're helpless. I applaud your determination to help him. He'll need you by his side throughout his journey to a heathier life.
You can certainly get in contact with Lillian on Facebook, and she will refer you to a private support group with patients who have just had, or are waiting for weight loss sugery. The facebook group is private, and any posts/inquiries made to the group are only visible by group members. We've all been there, through the same struggles and faced the same obstacles.
The group meets every 3rd week. There are no fees for this group or for attending meetings.
Capital Health, Halifax -- has an Obesity Network that deals with bariatric surgery. Their website is:
http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/obesity-network
On that link, you will find all kinds of information with suggestions like special diets, etc -- that you can attempt while you're son is waiting for surgery.
All the best to you and your family.
If you need to privately message me on here, feel free.
Take care.
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