My journey has begun...again....

I am new to this forum - but not really new to weight loss surgery.

In March 2013 - I decided to take matters into my own hands - and I inquired about a gastric band- with an independent company in Toronto.

The process was very quick - and literally within about a month of my "consultation" the surgery was done.

The weight came off, I learned my new lifestyle - and generally I was very happy with the results.  In the first year I lost about 50-60 lbs.

After that first year - my weight stayed the same - I would gain a few - lose a few - and the yoyo once again began - which is what I was hoping would stop - but it didn't.

I am now 3 years post- op - upset that I rushed into the process - wasted apprise 20 thousand dollars - and still not happy with my weight.

I spoke to my family Dr in late 2015 - and told him I wanted to be referred for a revision surgery thought eh bariatric program in Ontario.

He agreed - and started the process.

My referral didn't actually go in until Mid Feb 2016 - and I rec'd my letter from Toronto Western on April 1st.  

My orientation is May 11th.

I have a few questions - which I hope someone can answer for me.

1. My BMI however around 35-36  - I do have pre-diabetes and Sleep Apnea - so I have the comorbidities      

   * I am worried that I will get approved and go through the process - but by the time I get to surgery - I will have lost a few lbs - and will be under the 35 BMI and will no longer qualify - is this a possibility?

2.  Since I already have the gastric band - which I want removed - and I considered any different from someone "new" coming into the program?  What I mean is - yes my BMI is on the borderline - but if I were to remove the band - I would gain it all back and then some.

3.  Since I am not really new to the process - will my process be "fast tracked" at all?

4.  I see a lot of folks on here - suggesting to get the "tests" done asap - to speed up the process.  I know one of those are the Sleep Test (already done) - but what other tests could I possibly have done to speed things along.

5.  What is the typical timeline for folks in the Toronto area - and the University Health Network/ Toronto Western.

Thanks in advance for any info you can share.

Do you have a band or sleeve?

What surgery are you trying to get?

I was just at the BMI required.  I was advised by my team "off the record" not to go under the required BMI until approvals were obtained.

Thanks for the reply White Dove

currently I have the gastric band.

I had heard somewhere that some people were approved then put on the pre surgery diet and dropped below the needed BMI and then were removed from the program so I was a bit worried

i will keep that in mind and ask the question when I get into the process.

Usually once you are accepted into the program they will proceed. Unless there is a medical reason not to proceed. However every centre is different.

You will be considered starting from scratch and will not be fast tracked. If anything they will want to make sure you are able to make changes to ensure the new surgery is successful.

Good luck with your journey

Thanks for the info

I'm just curious as to why some people seem to get through the process in a few months - others take over a year 

Unfortunately no fast tracking. That's a good thing I feel. After a sleeve and band and still having issues maybe seeing Dietician, psychologist will hlp to work on issues. Usually they use the weight and BMI on your referral. I have seen some posts where people had one surgery to remove the band then had RNY.

They usually want a sleep study done in about the last 6 month to yr. When I saw the NP I brought in a copy of the report. I did not require any other tests other than pre-op blood work.

I just realized there was a typo in my original post - I do not have the sleeve - nor have I ever....I have the band.

Are you saying that I will require 2 surgeries?  I certainly hope that is not the case - that would not be ideal.

Do you know why some people seem to get through the process in a few months - others take over a year?

I had a sleep study done just over a year ago - so hopefully that will be good enough.  Do I have to bring the reports or do they get them somehow?

From what I can tell, the average seems to be a year.  I guess they want to make sure you are serious about it and are a good candidate. I was referred in April last year and am just having my surgeon appointment this month so bang on a year ... not sure how long after surgery will be scheduled, seems to be 2 months. 

I have a friend who had a similar experience to you with the band except he ended up in emerg when the band broke.  It was quite serious. He later ended up going through the process of getting surgery and had a gastric sleeve.  Is having great results so far, slow and steady 6 months in and still losing.

Thanks for the reply - the more I read on here the more excited i get - I only wish I had done better research 3 years ago and maybe I would be in a much different place in my life.

Good luck with your surgery - it will be here before you know it :)