TWH 1 mth F/U questions

I have my 1 month follow-up at TWH on Wednesday.

Can anyone tell me how long I should expect to be there? and do they take blood?

Also, if there is anything else that I should know, please let me know.

thanks in advance.

Not sure how TWH works but my 1 month follow up was a class situation - we were supposed to schedule 3 hours chatting about food and vitamins and just making sure we were all on the same path and if we had any questions or concerns they would address it. We finished in 1.5 hours and then we each individually got a chance to see the nurse for our weigh in, measurements and just any individual questions. I don't remember them taking blood, but be prepared for it. Its probably one of the best ways they can monitor your vitamins and medicines are working for you.

Good luck at your appointment!

Hey TheRealMe!

I don't know the answer to your question, but I was wondering what time your appointment is? I'll be at TWH for two appointments in Wednesday, with time in between... so perhaps I might see you?

Mine is at 1pm

Good morning,

It is a class at TWH where we only had about 12 people. You check in, are called in by the NP along with two or three others, are weighed separately and then shown to a room where she/he asks you a few questions. You are then shown to a larger room where a dietician goes over the program, asks general questions and answers any that the participants have. A different NP came in and also had a brief presentation and answered questions. I believe they told us to allocate three or four hours, but we were out far sooner than that. 10 minutes for weigh in and personal visit with NP and no more than an hour total for the class visit. We were out, with waiting time, in under two hours.

I joked with the members on the site afterwards that I couldn't believe what some were eating and had to shut my face down so I didn't gasp. "I ate perogies with all the fixings, but only had half an order and brought the rest home with me". I keep saying to myself not to compare - on the site, with other WLS patients that we know, or those we meet in our program. But I can't understand why someone would go through so much not to allow their pouch to heal, to take advantage of the "honeymoon" stage, and not stick to the program that you have been attending for about a year previous to surgery. It's all about choices.

Blood requisitions will be given to you - 8 in total for your next visit (3 months), 6 months, 9 months (I think) and Year 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Make sure you don't lose them and although they said to make sure you had your blood done three weeks prior to your three months, I got my results back through Life Labs the next day. I'm having my three month visit OTN in Orillia and will not have to go back for a bit, if at all.

Good luck Real, no worries.

Linda,

I was going to respond but you covered it all. I was at Life Labs too and my vitamin levels took a few days longer. I heard that's why they ask for blood work to be done 3 weeks in advance.

The nurse appointment is a one on one and nutrition class is a group one....but more interactive then our original group nutrition class before surgery.

Good luck you will do well!

Great info Linda! Thanks. I'm 3 months out but this was a good breakdown to get!

It will go by quickly. And the excitement builds ...