Shared with my co-workers & an Opti ?

I've been working on this process since August, and I think I'm just starting to let myself believe it is going to happen.  I've been going through all the appointments (and still am), reading & informing myself - but haven't really let myself get too excited.  Or tell many people.  Well I started to share my news more this week.  My closest friends know, and this morning I told my co-workers individually.  I am so happy I did.  They're excited for me, asking questions and very supportive.  Feels better knowing that they know, and are prepared for when I'm off work.  Sigh of relief.

Regarding Opti-fast.  Sounds like it's everyone's favourite part ;)  It states in the reading we're given to be prepared to pay for it upon signing surgery consent.  I'm cool with that - but for those who don't live in Toronto - did you have your surgeon's appointment in person?  Is that when the consents are signed & Opti picked up?  I'll likely put the word out there about anyone having some for sale too.    Anyway - any clarification you can give me for the TWH peeps would be appreciated!

Thanks & make it a great day  

Awesome, it's surreal when it starts to come closer - enjoy every minute of it!

I'm from Milton and I did have to go to TWH for my surgeon's appointment.  However, while I was there, the surgeon was a bit behind due to a "telehealth" call with someone far away, I would presume that Owen Sound might fit into that category.

I opted to pick up my Optifast as it was on my way home, but they will give you a form, or fill it out for you and send to Medicalmart who will then mail it directly to you!

Easy squeezy!

Hope this helps!!

You still have to meet the surgeon in "far away" cases.. I live in Sudbury, met with Dr Sullivan early on via OTN (Ontario Telemedicine Network" (Telehealth is something different) and then in person when I went for my pre-op appt. 

You are lucky to get positive reactions from your co-workers.  From the beginning of this journey I knew I was going to initially tell immediate family and once very close friend.

Due to working in a very small office, I knew I'd have to share some info with my Mgr, who herself has weight issues.  I've had to bite my tongue a few times and repeat to myself "it's not me, it's her"

She has asked me the occasional questions over the last months and yesterday, I started opti.

These have been just some of her comments regarding WLS:

"Why don't you just stop eating?"

"You're just going to stretch out your stomach afterwards anyway."

"I think it's crazy to do something so unattainable."

"Why not just do the liquid diet to lose weight."

"I don't agree with it at all so......just sayin'..."

If people (other than my Mgr) down the road comment on my weight lost I will say, "Thank you for noticing".  If they ask how, I will say that I'm in a medically supervised program with a Nutritionist and extensive support along with lifestyle change.

Maybe I'll change my view, shout it from the mountaintops and over-share with whoever will listen :)

Best of luck to you in your journey

When I went through the process, I was in a relatively small office (within a big company) and I was the 3rd person to go through it.  The others started before Ontario completely cut the out of province coverage, so my journey to surgery was a bit longer.  I was also going through a couple temporary managers at the time.  A number of people I had known for a while, and the 2 others knew what I was doing and going through.  I kept the progress basically to these people.  Which isn't hard with the hurry up do this and wait process.  I didn't have to announce when surgery was to these people.  They saw the opti and knew it was close.  I had lots of encouragement and support from my closer co-workers.  Especially the ones that had been through this.  I've had lots of ups and downs, and he's still one of my biggest supporters.  We have both settled into a weight and maintained.  The 3rd person has gotten off track.  I don't see her much, but hope she gets back on the horse.

Having support at home and at work makes this a lot easier.  But if you don't have it or worried about dealing with Negative Nellies, that's OK.  There is still lots of support out there for you.  If you have found this forum, you have found us.  And with the support groups around, you aren't alone.

Sorry Helena, got a little off topic, but while you have lots of support, I wanted to make sure that those who are not in the same situation know that they have support too.

Wishing everyone well on their journeys.

Cathy

I'm in a small Northern Ontario town, and had my pre-op surgery appointment via OTN (so I didn't have to travel to Toronto).   At that meeting, he gave me my surgery date and told me that someone would contact me shortly regarding the Optifast.    Within the week, the sales company called me for my credit card number and asked how much of each flavour I wanted...and delivered it to my doorstep via Purolator.    It's pretty easy!

Now for the hard part....starting the Optifast on April 13th.....  

I am going through TWH for the surgery and I am doing my surgeon's appointment via teleheath (2 weeks from now, yay) since I live in London. I don't know about the optifast yet.

Thank you everyone!  I appreciate the feedback & sharing.  I won't sweat the Opti part then till later.  Seems simple enough.  I am SO glad the Telehealth (or whatever its called) is available to us - I've had a few appointments like that and has saved me white knuckling it through Toronto traffic.  On my way there Monday for the Nutrition class - wish me luck!  

Have a great weekend :)