An introduction, questions and trying to get my profile set up correctly - HELP please.

Hi.  I am a brand new to this forum.  I am 38, and will be turning 39 one week after my RNY surgery (Apr 15/15).  I have struggled with my weight for most of my life, and have tried many different things to lose weight and be healthier, unsuccessfully. There are many reasons and excuses, but none of that really matters now.  I am so grateful that I am being given a tool, and that I am so close to starting the journey that will change my life forever.  My goal is to be in the 140's by 40.  Not sure if that is realistic, but I am aiming high. My surgery is scheduled for April 15/15 @HRRH with Dr. Klein.  To say that I am excited is an understatement.  I  am very happy that I found this forum, and I have so much to learn.  There is such a wealth of information and experience on here... Thank you to all who have taken the time to share their experiences, as well as giving encouragement and advice.  I have a couple of questions.  Any help would be much appreciated.  

1-  Underneath the weight loss ticker, some people have details about their past appts, surgery date, weight, etc.  I am trying to put some information in there for my own profile.  I cant seem to figure out where that goes, and what information i am supposed to put in each section.  I put the info under my signature spot, but i dont think that is correct.  Does anyone know where i can find information on how to properly set up all this stuff, and delete what i put in my signature space if its not the right place to put it?  

2-  Are there any WLS support/social/information groups that meet east of Toronto and west of Kingston (ie., Oshawa, Bowmanville, Cobourg, Port Hope, Peterborough, etc)?  Toronto is more than an hour away and I am really hoping to connect with some fellow WLS people.  I want to be successful, and believe that support and encouragement will be a big part of this.

3- Any words of advice/tips in preparing for my surgery? It is 2 months away, and I would like to have everything set up to make it as easy as possible to succeed when i come home.  Is there a listing of specific recipes during the 1st four weeks following surgery (for the different phases)?  Also, did anyone make a chart or anything similar indicating what to eat and when at the 15 min intervals to ensure they get everything in that they are supposed to.

4-  Has anyone had experience with Dr Klein, and HRRH over the past year?  How was it?  How long did you have to stay in hospital?  Did you feel like you had all the info and support you needed to be successful when you left the hospital. 

Thanks for reading and good luck to everyone with their WLS journey

Hey ! Welcome to this site ! You are totally right , this forum is a wealth of information and my first piece of advice to you is to stick around . This forum and it's occupants , are as much a tool to me as my actual surgery has been . You have come to the right place dear :) 

Your first question I'm afraid Im no use to you . I struggle with my ticker and info so I'll leave that for someone else to answer properly !! I'd probably give you the wrong info ! It's all I've managed to get my weight on there and the date I had my surgery ! 

Support groups seem to be in lots of places , I know there is one where I am . And I've read of loads of others . I can't say for sure if there is one where you are , but chances are there will be . 

To answer your third question , I'd say research on here and in your handouts , all the vitamins you will need, begin to gather them . Research what the best ones to use are . Although this varies from person to person in their preferences . For example ...I use the liquid calcium with D3 from costco, and I I buy it in bulk . But other people may not like the taste of it . Also , protien shakes may be helpful to you for afterwards . I know I could not get in my required amount of daily protien without my one shake in the morning. I'm 2 months out today.  Again ,  costco for those . Premier protien in my opinion are excellent . Maybe try them out and see what you think . I found that getting these things organised helped me pass the time . I cooked for my family and made extra batches to freeze , for the weeks I'd be on the Optifast and weeks following my surgery . So much easier than cooking for them . 

Planning your ride , daycare ,pet care and other things like that help too . 

I originally had Dr Klien at Humber . He was really very nice and I was happy he was to be my surgeon . But due to a backlog , some of us were moved to TWH for the actual surgery.  He is however , my follow up Dr for my aftercare . So I'm happy with that . 

In my package from Humber there was a phase booklet with all the phases of the weeks after surgery . Liquids , pureed , soft and then full diet for life . There were examples of foods I could have on each phase , and also actual daily menus for each phase . Which was extremely helpful to me , it just made it so easy and let me heal without freaking out too much about what to eat. Not everything worked , and I will tell you , to some extent it's trial and error for each person . Don't set yourself up to be stuck to what it says in the book . Because everyone is different.  Use common sense and go at your own pace . Just because it says week 3 you can do soft foods doesn't mean you have to . Do what you are comfortable with . Your body will tell you how to proceed I think .

Same with the when to eat and drink . As long as you are really trying to get in enough water and protien , don't sweat it. The first few days  do what you can . It is important , and will stand you in good stead if you can easily get in what you should be , but if you really can't ....just do your best . Stay in touch with your Centre if you have any issues . They know best  This forum is fantastic , but any serious issues health wise , you are best to always contact your surgeon . and refer to his plan for you . Again , everyone's surgeon has different plans . 

I stayed in hospital for 2 nights . I found the whole experience very positive . I actually ( sounds weird I know) enjoyed it . I was with 2 other ladies from this forum ! We had surgery on the same day !! That was fantastic for me ! Loved having others to chat with and didn't feel so alone in there . The nurses were all fab , and my pain was very minimal . I've had no issues since and I feel great . 

Welcome again , and stick around ! There is a search bar at the top of this page ,you can type in whatever question you have no matter how small or how silly it seems ( I had loads ) and chances are it will have been asked before . This will bring up the question and all the different answers . It's very interesting . 

Wish you good luck and look forward to chatting with you 

Jax xx

Jax-  Thanks so much for taking the time to answer all my questions.  I have had a good experience with Dr. Klein as well, and look forward to my surgery in April.  How were you able to co-ordinate with the other people getting surgery the same day as you?  Is there a listing somewhere?  I think that it would be really great to have a surgery buddy.  Congrats on you amazing weight loss so far.

I found your questions very interesting to follow too.   I just got my surgery date for April 22nd so I'm not far behind you.   I haven't managed to set up my profile yet though!!! Good to know they'll give us more diet info at the hospital 

Hey no problem at all . There is a surgery list and Pat usually posts it , I want to say every week ? but I'm not sure exactly when . If you peruse the forum most days , you will come across it for sure . Just while reading regularly,  you'll see people posting about their dates and upcoming appointments and so on . 

I got talking to a few people shortly after joining this site in April of last year , and discovered I had same day appointments with one girl , Seyenna . So we communicated and ended up driving together .Then It was purely coincidence that we ended up getting our dates to have our surgery on the same day ! It was awesome , and very comforting to have someone to go through it with . 

So yeah if you just keep your eye on here  you'll soon see the list that Pat puts on . It has everyone's user name and date and where they will be having their surgery . When you see it ,post a reply and give Pat your date and she will add you to the list . 

Good luck :) 

Jax xx