How can we get this Quebec forum started?

Hi Yaya,
I know how you feel with your relationship with food. For me it's the same thing. I just love to eat. I don't necessarily eat a lot all the time I just like eating. I love the taste and I love the feeling of being full. That's waht gets me. I saw Dr. Garneau, Atlas' assistant so-to-speak, back in April and he said it was a 24 to 30 month wait for the VSG; 1 day surgery. I was contacted by the hospital a couple of weeks later to say that I was now on the list. So here I am waiting and hoping to get that call. I'd love to have it by next year buyt that's being very optimistic in my opinion.

Do you have a link to these You Tube videos? You should start a new thread on it so people can easily find it when they come to the Quebec section.

Thanks for chatting. Talk to you soon.

Derek

Happy New Years guys,

Here's me with a new update on the Quebec situation drawn from my own experience thus far-- now Spezza don't flip on me but today I got a surgery date- February 1st. I am schocked by how fast the process was and let me explain why; like I had said in my previous post, if you have a lower BMI 40-45 and have no other co-morbidities than at Sacre Coeur they are putting together a short list of candidate for VSG as day surgery.

I had my first consult with Dr. Atlas the last week of October 2009, was contacted in November for an apt with the dietician on January 7th, went to the information session yesterday and received a call this morning that my surgery date was February 1st.

After a year and half of mentally preparing for this, I have to tell you I am stunned that less than a month away I will be on the other side of this struggle. I'm nervous and scared and hoping that this forum can support me through the next couple of weeks.

All the best to all of you
Yaya

As much as I am PISSED OFF at the system I AM VERY HAPPY FOR YOU :D. What a way to start the new year!!! The thing that I found odd is that Dr. Garneau told me that because I had zero commorbities I would get slotted in before other patients. The fact that I have a BMI of ~52 might play into that but still, he had told me that my age would outweigh my BMI situation. Anyways, I am so excited for you and get wait to see your progress. At least it'll give me another story to read while I wait patiently for a call that now looks like it'll never come. So when do you start Optifast?

Thanks for the support Spezza! I have preop bloodwork on Monday and need to start Optifast by January 17th. This will sound terrible but I'm spending the next week in a total food funeral and indulging (not OVERLY so) in all my little heart and big stomach desire. Maybe you should contact Atlas/Garneau office again, they ve recently moved to Rockland MD, and explain you heard there was a day surgery list and was wondering if because of your situation you could be placed on it? Why not, the worse case scenario is they say no, best case they review your situation and give you a date.

Next random question, since Medicare is covering this, does that mean they'll pay for the Optifast too? Or maybe I can submit receipts? I wonder if any of you have read about this before?

Be well
Kassandra

I don't think they pay for Optifast. I think you might get it covered from your work health plan but that's about it. I just called their office and it's closed.

Hi, I often come here to read but I wasn't a member,  but when I saw your messages, and yayawhat's I decided to join in. I will have a VSG at Sacre-Coeur ( Dr Denis) on feb the 2 nd. I saw the doctor in sept, but I have some medical problems, that's why the doctor decided to put me on a priority list. I don't think it should be too long for you spezza_fan, because Sacré-Coeur is where the waiting time is shorter I think. But I heard that with dr Garneau, the wait is a little bit longer. I was at the reunion on jan 7th too. Yayawhat, will you have your surgery at Rockland or Sacre Coeur? Maybe we will see each other at the hospital. I am starting optifast on jan 18th so we can encourage one another if we find it difficult, and after the surgery.. I hope more Quebekers will join!

Hi everyone...

So...I was and still am on a waiting list for Dr.Christou (3 years so far) for a consult.
I got tired of waiting and did a little research (actually alot...!!) and finally came across Dr.Garneau thanks to my friend Derek (spezza_fan) Merci!!!

I saw Dr.Garneau for a consult in December'09 and am officially on the waiting list.

On a side note...I'm curious to see just how long it will take for Dr.Christou's office to even call me for a consult soooo I'm going to wait and see if I will have had my surgery before he calls me for a consult...lol

I do have co-morbidities and am hoping it will be less time than he originally told me(1-2 years) but when he told me this he said he is not sure at all because things change daily and may be sooner.

What is involved in the OptiFast? Is it only things like shakes or can you eat some things?

Good Luck to everyone on this journey!!
Ada xoxo

Hello, I think Sacré-Coeur has the shortest waiting list. I will begin optifast next week. Before the surgery, we have to attend a group meeting with the nutritionnist, and she explains all the pré-op and post-op diets. We have to take 4 shakes of optifast each day and we can eat raw or steamed veggies ( but no carrots, potatoes, corn, tomatoes...) around one cup a day and 1 or two black coffee or tea. Nothing else excep****er. I started to reduce my food this week, so I won't find it too difficult next week.... She also said to take centrum select chewable one by day, 8 weeks before surgery, but as they call us pretty near the date of the surgery, better begin sooner, that will help the healing process. Hope your waiting won't be too long.

Very interesting Diane. I can't wait to hear what the nutritionist has to say. 3 weeks of Optifast sounds harsh but it'll be worth it in the end. I would stick to it so strick because I don't want to have any complications after the surgery. I heard you not only lose weight while on OptiFast but your liver gets smaller so it's not in the way while they do the surgery. Same goes for the size of your stomach. I can't wait!

Hi Ada,
You're more than welcome for the help I gave you. You would have done the same if I had questions. I believe that it will fly by for you. Each month I would celebrate another month completed since my consult. And guess what? The months have just flown by. I'm almost at 9 months since my consult and yet my surgery is just around the corner. I started calling the office in January and called for 3 months before getting a consult but I got it and I'm only now months away. I can't wait.