Ottawa: Post Op Support Question

Hello folks,

I've been an avid reader of this forum since my doctor referred me in February. I have learned so much! I now have my surgery date for September 21 at the Civic Hospital with Dr Mamazza. Yay!

Now that my surgery is on the horizon I am wondering about support post op. I came across a calendar on the hospital's website which showed a weekly group support meeting. I also saw a weekly meet up for exercise. Does anyone know if these are the only support groups? I saw someone post recently on here about Ottawa and informal support, not associated with the hospital, and all it got was a lot of views and then just *crickets*. I think I've seen some cities do a monthly meet up at a café or something.

I guess now that things are becoming more of a reality for me with my surgery date, I'm looking to make sure that I look for every opportunity to stay on track afterwards. There is a huge wealth of information those of you who have gone through this experience have, that those of us just starting find very useful.

I'm meeting with my NUT in a week and I can ask more questions then but if anyone could share their experience here in Ottawa, I'd appreciate any guidance you have navigating post op support.

Cheers!

I am from Ottawa and also getting my RnY on September 9 at the Civic also with Dr. Mamazza.  I can't wait.  I was also wondering about a support group.  I don't seem to be able to find one.  Good Luck on your Journey!  Cheers to us!

I think you may have been the one I saw who posted about post op support groups in Ottawa a couple weeks ago!  Thank you for the well wishes!!  Cheers to us!! >^.^

Check Facebook if you're on there. My support group is on Facebook but I live in Durham region. Chances are pretty good that someone from the Ottawa support group will see your post though. 

Good luck on your surgey

Thank you!!  Someone reached out to me about the Facebook group, so I'll look to follow up there.  I have to say that I am the 1% of the population who doesn't Facebook but I'm trying to be more open to things so I may make an effort. :)

Hi there! I was wondering if you found anything regarding post op meet ups? My surgery is on Thursday!

Hello! 

Congratulations and good luck with your surgery!!  Jeez, the day after tomorrow!!  I'm still two weeks away, having lots of fun with the Opti. haha

I actually didn't follow up with the Facebook group yet, I've been so busy with some travel but my understanding is that they have some sort of support system going. 

I'm doing all my weight loss pre/post op meetings at BMI Medical who have been amazing through this whole process.  I spoke with my NUT there and from what I understand they offer individualized support post surgery.  If people go through The Civic for all the pre/post op meetings, I understand they have structured group support meet ups weekly. 

I don't have the momentum to start a group myself, at least not yet, but I think there would definitely be interest having something like this open to everyone in Ottawa going through this experience.

Cheers!

Thanks! Good luck to you as well! Just curious, what made you decide to go through bmi medical rather than the civic? 

I was directed to BMI Medical after my doctor referred me through the Ontario Bariatric Network.  I believe I read that 20 percent of weight loss surgery candidates in Ottawa will be directed to BMI Medical. 

Dr Freedhoff runs a great practice with an amazing group of people.  The nutritionists, the trainers and the front desk are always there to help you out.  I had not realized how well known Dr Freedhoff was until I was telling my sister about having to go for an appointment with Dr Freedhoff and she recognized the name (she lives in NY) because she had done The Biggest Loser camp for six weeks and lost a lot of weight but actually regained all of it and more.  She had read an article the doctor had written commenting on recent data that shows that The Biggest Loser type of weight loss can negatively impact your metabolism, which she attests to after her experience.  It was funny because I was watching a documentary called Sugar Coated over the long weekend and he popped up on the screen.  Anyway, their practice has been fantastic in their support for me and I really feel like they have given me the tools I need to be successful. :) 

I feel really lucky that I was directed to BMI Medical!!