New and have a few questions

I was referred to the bariatric clinic by my family doctor yesterday, how long will the wait be foe the first call from the bariatric clinic in ottawa?

Will I be accepted? Age 26, height 5'2 ,weight  260.6, bmi of 47.5 

Where you left with loads of excess skin? If not how did you manage?

How long were you on the pre-op liquid diet for? 

Did you have any complications? Recovery time? 

Sorry I will be the first in my family to have this surgery so I do not have anyone to talk to.

I am from Ottawa - from beginning to end it took me about 10 months.  I am getting my WLS on 9 September.

I am also from Ottawa and I got referred in fab, my orientation was in June and I am going 21st July for my one on one appointment please guide me what will happen after

Hi and welcome! I can't answer your questions because my surgery is next week, but I will say, when you go to orientation, most of those questions will be answered. They give you a lot of great information as to what your life will be post op. Except the excess skin issue which is something we all think about.  I expect a lot of skin and expect I will have plastic surgeries at some point. I'm not from Ottawa but from what I read it seems a pretty fast process compared to Toronto. Best of Luck to you.

Hi there, I had my surgery done at TWH (Toronto) and you can see my timelines in my signature ... it was about 16 months from my referral to my surgery.  With a BMI of over 40 you are definitely a candidate for surgery ... rule of thumb is: 

• BMI greater than or equal to 40
• BMI greater than or equal to 35 but less than 40. With at least one of the following comorbidities (as determined by your physician):
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Type II Diabetes mellitus
  • Hypertension
  • Diagnosed sleep apnea
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

As for excess skin ... I'm starting to find I have some but at this point I'm not worrying about excess skin as I'm looking to get to my goal and staying there! I'm sure some of the veterans of the site can address that one for you.

I was on Opti-fast (the pre-op liquid diet) for 3 weeks ... the first few days were tough but I got through it ... just think about the goal ahead of you!

I did not have any complications and I was back to work (desk job) on January 4th after my operation on December 18th! I was a little tired at first  but muscled through because it was better for me to be busy and I work for an exceptional company who were very accommodating!

Do your research, use the site and keep asking those questions ... I have found a wealth of knowledge on this site! Good luck on your journey! 

Welcome to the board!  Lots of great info here.

With your BMI, you will be accepted.  You may have to show that you've tried programs before (i.e. WW).

I'm not sure on the timeline, about a year ago I was told it was 18 months on average.  But it could have changed.  I was 18 months, but I'm 5 years out.

As for the amount of excess skin, it will depend on how damaged your skin is currently. If you have damaged skin now (i.e. stretch marks) it won't bounce back completely.  Toning muscle will help.  Each person is different.

I did 3 weeks of Opti.  It wasn't the best time, but it wasn't bad.  I enjoyed being able to have shakes with little after affects (I have milk issues).  And I enjoyed not having to think about what I was eating for 3 weeks.  And on the first weekend I was on Opti, I had multiple family events (which means lots of food) and kept on my opti, no cheating.  So it can be done.

I didn't have any real complications.  One of my incisions leaked serious fluid (the stuff that carries your blood cells), and I was given antibiotics as a precaution, but it was more messy than anything.  I was given 4 weeks off work, probably could have gone back earlier if needed to.  Was hoping that they would extend it and I'd take the time to paint bedrooms, but that didn't happen.

Oh, make sure you get something for gas, and for constipation after.  That is common.  I hadn't had a BM in 7 days after surgery, not a good thing.  Fixed it, but it wasn't fun.  Only had one or 2 more issues after that.  Some have more issues, with this, but can control it.

Do your research, and listen at the Orientation.  And ask questions.  You aren't expected to know everything the first day, but need to learn.

I wish you well on your journey,

Cathy

Did not go through Ottawa but expect to wait anywherd from 1-2 yr from referral. Once you get to orientation things will move along. There are different appointments and classes you will go through. This is a great time to work on eliminating bad habits we all had. If you smoke stop today! You need to be 6 months free. Many centres won't pass you through orientation if you smoke. If you drink pop stop etc... tthe Centres don't necessarily look for weight loss pre-op but they want to see that you are striving to develop good habits. 

Do you have symptoms of Apnea? Get your sleep study done now while you wait.

Opti is usually 1 week for every 100 lbs so expect 2-3 weeks.

Obese skin gets streched which affects the collegene and elasticity. If you have strech marks it is a good indication that skin is damaged. You are young so you do have that on your side. Everyone carries their weight differently so hard to say. You will have excess skin but worth it to have better health, energy.

I was also just referred yesterday! 

We may possibly be in the same orientation :)

I will be in Thunder Bay and seems you would be in Ottawa. But we may be on the journey the same time regardless :)