It's done, I'm officially joining the community

When I first joined OH a few months ago, I was still sitting on the fence and trying to figure out whether WLS was right for me and my family and whether the post-op life would be something I could find sustainable (I am currently sedentary and my diet would need a complete and major overhaul afterwards in the sense that my diet is heavy in carbs and low in protein).  After much discussion with my husband and doctor and TONS of research, I'm 100% convinced that WLS is right for me and my GP and DH are on board.  The referral was made last week to the Bariatric Registry and I will be going through the process with the OWMC.  If anyone else is currently going through OWMC I'd love to hear from you.

I'm not going to lie, I'm scared about the post-op life still.  I would love to take up running, my challenge has not been so much my motivation as it has been my time-scheduling.  With a young child and a 1hr commute both directions for work, there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day. I know that my DH and I just need to figure it out... dedicated work out time will be a must if I hope to make this work. I've got some ideas on this, so hopefully we'll see how practical they are.

The second concern I have is the protein/food factor.  I recognize that I am going to need a lot of help both from the nutritionist and probably from this board as well - food ideas, preparation ideas, different ways of cooking, new recipes etc. and obviously pre-planning, which I think is going to be a very big thing and very new to me. Luckily I'm not a picky eater, I'm just not good at planning and for that reason end up eating at the last minute whatever is easy. I get stuck in a rut and rely on old faithfuls and fast food because I don't plan ahead. I know I won't be able to do this after the surgery.

Anyway, the referral is in and so far nothing has been sent back regarding problems with the application yet. They tell me that the wait list to orientation is about 6 months, but another OH member recently waited 4 I think.  If anyone has any advice on how to keep busy/get prepared (to ensure success) in the meantime, I'd love to hear from you and I look forward to getting to know everyone on here going forward (Christine).

Welcome!  It's a bit of hurry-up-and-wait at this point for you, I'm afraid. I'm not sure what to say about how to get busy and prepare - you've got a long road ahead of you with appointments and such.  I did look at a few books that they recommended at orientation, but I didn't really do much prep between referral and orientation.

You can ensure success by doing what your centre tells you to do once you get going on the program, basically. :)  Also: read these threads on OH regularly.  I did, and that helped me probably more than anything else I did before surgery. 

I think everyone's different when it comes to the best way to psych yourself up for surgery and the life you'll be living afterwards. Some folks try to establish some of the habits of things they'll have to do after surgery (e.g. breaking addiction to pop and fizzy drinks, etc.). I did that for a while, but kind of went back to it as the waiting went on. But I did find it helpful to "see whether I could" - and I did.  So sure, definitely try establishing some good habits, like taking a walk regularly if you can (I had a hard time walking at my highest weight), cutting out pop, that kind of thing. But don't beat yourself up too badly or think you're going to "fail at surgery" if you have a hard time maintaining it.

Some folks have "food funerals" - enjoying this or that food "while I still can" (especially in the last few weeks leading up to surgery). I did that. I'm not recommending it, especially since some centres demand that you either lose weight or stay the same weight between orientation and surgery (which I think is stupid, personally - if I could lose weight without surgery I wouldn't have had the surgery), but honestly, it didn't hurt me, and it did kind of psych me up. For other people, it might be a hindrance, I don't know.

Life is so different after surgery eating-wise that I'm really not sure what you could do AND maintain this early out. Everyone's different, but I know that if before surgery I could have established all of the good habits and eating patterns you're supposed to adopt after surgery and maintained them for any length of time, I wouldn't have needed surgery.

So, I guess my only really solid advice is - read OH a lot, ask newbie questions, do some searches on things that come up that you don't know about or don't understand, and that will really help you. I know that I read about lots of things on OH that I didn't hear about from the hospital or during the prep.  Including lots of great tips for post-op eating.

Oh, and the recipes! Might want to try a few WLS-friendly recipes too, just to get into practice. The World According to Eggface is a great blog with lots of good recipes on it (just google it and you'll find it).

Good luck!

Oh, also! You might want to see if there's a coffee night or informal WLS group that meets in your area. If you're in Toronto, take a look at my signature below and feel free to come out to our coffee nights. I think most groups that get together welcome pre-ops with open arms - we definitely do!

Welcome to the board, and congrats on your decision.

I've been where you are.  I have 2 kids (now 10 and almost 7), and I'm almost 3 years post op.  I drive at least an hour each way for work (more in winter it seems).  You worry about your activity after WLS, One thing that you can do, is walk at lunch.  I have a gym at my work, but some days it's nice to get outside and walk in the fresh air.  Also, there is no rule about doing it alone, get your DH and child involved.  Especially in the summer.  But even in winter, all 3 of you go public skating.

As for eating, there's the Ontario Recipe thread and I've heard names of a couple post WLS cookbooks floating around and there are other sites like Eggface that are good for recipes.  Along with these, ask as you go.  And if you forget your lunch, instead of going to the local McD's go to your local grocer.  Lots of little things you can pick up there.  You'll learn as you go.  And you'll learn what your new tummy likes and dislikes (even at this stage, tried pears and found that my tummy argues with me about them).

I wish you luck on your journey,

Cathy

I guess for me it is planning meals ahead if possible. Now we have left overs because I eat little so I use hat for lunches. I also make large pots of chili or thick stew and soups. I can freeze these in individual portions to grab on the way out in the morning. If you have a crock pot you can get everything together in the evening. Though it together in the morning and come home to a cooked meal.

Good luck in your journey

I had my doctor send in the referral a year and a half ago... and then a friendly nudge to the center last week and I got my orientation booked last week :) Its not until March though, but that makes me happy. As a new non smoker, at least in March I will have more confidence over my old addiction.

I understand exactly where you are. Many on this board have gone through all of these doubts and fears. My surgery is Feb 5th and I'm excited and scared. In Brampton we have a support group and this really helped me. I think of it a little like childbirth, it's scary and hard, but look at all those people who've done it and feel great. I have yet to find one person who wouldn't do it again. 

Just think of how your health will impact your kid's lives!

Hi Christine! Welcome aboard.  I am still pre-op myself....was just given my date of April 30th YAY.  It will be 11 months from referral date to surgery date for me.  At first I thought OMG that is sooooo long, but I have taken the time to research even more than I already thought I had....and followed this group!  Learned so much from it.  You sound so similar to me, with the pre-planning, and not making time for yourself.  I also did not get enough protein, and when I went to my dietitian at my centre she actually asked me to take another month and work on specific things she suggested.  I was angry at first, but then realized she is only doing that to make sure I am ready.  I have to have protein at every snack and meal!!!! That just floored me.....like OMG what the hell am I going to eat!  She gave me lots of ideas.....babybel light cheese, canned fish, eggs, obviously meat, the protein shakes from Costco PREMIER are good :) although she would prefer I EAT rather than drink meals.  We have started using the crock pot and making enough to last 2 days.  My husband does most of the cooking, and he is making sure we have a balanced meal every dinner.  We are a very busy family, involved in lots of volunteer, etc....so pre-planning was hard for us to start....but each week we find it a bit easier.  I have not yet freezed meals, like suggested by others and also my dietitian.  We are going to make sure we start before my surgery.  I stopped drinking my lifeline! diet coke LOL  IT was very hard, I will not lie....and I have had a can or 2 here and there in the last month, but honestly it doesn't taste as good as I thought it did now that I don't have it as much.  I also changed my tea and coffee to DECAF and no more cream.....just milk :)  That sucked actually lol....but I did it!  We HAVE to if we want this surgery to happen and work for the long term!  Make some major and healthy life style changes....we got this girl!!!! your fellow OH Christine.....but I go by Chrissy ;)

Welcome Christine :-)

You will find so much support and answers here...  I can so relate to your sharing! Not sure if this will help you but what I started pre surgery was by cutting out fast food places ... then kept subway only once a week... never was a big fan.... no deep fryer in the place! I still kept restaurants but my very first thing was stopping he fast food. Even if it meant eating a PB&J sanwitch or two ... smal steps go a long way.

Above all, be gentle and loving to yourself. One day at a time and one meal at a time.

you have already made the most important decision of doing something.

Welcome Christine! There's not much more to say that hasn't already been said. Your cir****tances sound very much like mine too...and probably a lot of others. That's part of the reason we are here. 

We are here and we all have tough journeys ahead of us but a lot of great things ahead too. With the awesome people on this site for support...no matter what the issue...we are NEVER alone.

All the best!