How can we get this Quebec forum started?

There has to be some Quebeckers out there somewhere, NO? Vous êtes ou les Quebecois? The wait time in Quebec is on average 3-5 years so what do people do while they wait? We should get this thing going.

Come on Quebec!

Im new here, from Montreal and just got my sleeve 10 days ago and am absolutely feeling great!!!

Hi Blue,
I didn't notice you had replied. You must be 27 days out now right? How's your journey going so far? Have you lost? Who did you get the sleeve done by and how long did you wait for surgery? Tell us your story.

Thanks,
Derek

I so agree with you Spezza_Fan.......I keep checking in with this board but other than yourself and a couple of other people there is no action. I have been on this journey for a awhile but only had my RNY on Sept 15th 2009.  I went the private route as I no longer wanted to wait.  I know that my fellow hospital roommates use a french discussion board through yahoo....I didn't really like the moderators style so I am sticking to this one. Although I have been chatting with the Ontario group as well as Maritimers.  So great effort. I promise to keep checking in.

Brenda,
I have been to the French Yahoo group and I checked the updates once a week but the format is a little weird and I prefer it on here. Maybe you could write us a little thread on your journey to get something kick started on here. At least so that people like me who haven't been sleeved yet can know what to expect after surgery. For me the biggest thing will be breaking the relationship I have with food. I just love to eat and I'm affraid I'm going to miss it. What was it like for you?

Derek

I don't tend to post very much....I am much more of a reader and commentator than poster! LOL But yes I will write something and it may help someone along.

I didn't have the same procedure as you are seeking but from my friends blogs on the Ontario board VSGers seem to live through the same process as RNYers in the first year.

Your relationship with food will definately change Derek.  It is a mourning process which I began many months prior to surgery.  Eating is not as enjoyable as it used to be but the gains far outweigh this compromise. I am only three months out so my opinion is based on that reality.  Many others who are further along may tell you something differently.  Right now I am still struggling getting my food intake in.  I have a constant feeling of being full.  The weirdest feeling is that I have always watched what I ate and have been on a thousand diet plans so feeling hungry was part of my struggle and daily experience. After surgery it is totally the opposite. For the first time in my 43 years of life I am not hungry. NEVER HUNGRY! It still boggles my mind sometimes.  I now understand why some people do not have issues with food.  They are satisfied with their food intake. I never was.  I don't think I was an emotional eater but more at times I ate from boredom as I used to isolate myself because of my weight.  So I don,t think I will have this issues in the future.  They say your hunger comes back so we'll see.  I have never dumped or vomitted since surgery. I came close twice but I think it was because I ate too fast, although at the time I thought I didn't. I can eat some real sugar but I've only eaten small quantities, like one lindt dark chocolate piece, 1 tsp of homemade jam/jelly, 1 tsp maple syrup,etc.  When you eat in small quantities the tsp goes a long way......trust me.  Right now you cannot wrap your mind around that concept but after surgery you will. I measure everything once to get a visual and then I am less stringent on that. I no longer journal as I tend to make right food choices and right now my calories average between 800-900 a day.  I miss Pasta though. It was a staple of my families and I really miss it and I miss rice. But maybe in the future I'll be able to have a bit of both. Now they both give my pouch pain. I must admit I also miss eating veggies.  After surgery your focus is protein first all the time and by the time you have that there isn't much space left for veggies. I tend to be able to eat a few tablespoons a sitting.  So Derek, yes your relationship with food will definately change in the beginning anyway.  I'll keep you posted as I progress along.  However on a most wonderful note. I have no regret. I was sooooo ready for this and I feel somewhat at peace within myself.  I no longer wanted to have the relationship I had with my food. I wanted a change.  It just takes some adjustments on our part as food is so associated with family and social gatherings.  I hope this helps you and others reading this post.  :)

Brenda,
Thanks for letting us know about the relationship side of things. I'm sure a couple of people were wondering what it was like and now they will have at least one take on it. I can't believe there are so little people who have been operated on who aren't on this site. I don't recall how I found out about it but it's just weird how many people are on the Ontario board compared to here.

Anyways, take care for now and let us know how your progress goes.

Thanks,
Derek

Hi there,

Well I had my VGS a month ago today ad things have been going very well.  I also went in through the private as I was told that I would have to wait a few years in the public health system and I didnt feel like wasting more time.  I decide in early September to consult with Dr Christou and my surgery date was Novmber 18th.  Prior to my surgery I lost almost 45 pounds on an Optifast diet program where I was being followed at the Psychesoma Clinic in Westmount.  As of today I have lost a total of 73 pounds.  I lost 28 pounds a month after my VGS. I only wish I had done this a lot sooner.  I still have 150 pounds to lose to reach my goal and I hope to achieve it by next November or maybe sooner.

Hi there,
Congrats on you recent surgery success and your current weight loss. I can't wait to fell like you're feeling now! I don't necessarily feel like wasting more time but I do know that I don't have 18000$ to spend. I still hope the QC government will cover you someday for the surgery they should have done for free. You've lost 73 pounds since September? That's nutts. I mean, I wish!!! Keep us in the loop of your progress, your struggles, your success. We are rooting for you!!! Keep it up!

Derek

 

Spezza I think this is a great idea! Having a local connection to this journey is so so important. I tend to watch alot of You Tube VSG diaries to get a feel of what they went through with their journey. I'll try to pop in more regularly.
Just to sum up-- I had the Dr. Atlas consult in October, was told there would be day surgery for those with lower BMIs and that I could expect it in the new year. I was then contacted at the end of November by a Nutritionist to attend a consult with her on January 7th and she did mention pre op blood work. I'll know more after the 7th but I'll do my best to post as much info as I can. Right nowI am concerned about my relationship with food in the social aspect. I am a hedonist and KNOWN for it- big eater, drinker, making merrier! I'm worried about what I will replace food with when it's gone so mentally I'm trying to begin the mourning process.

Great to chat and happy new year to all of us!