nutrition class at sacre coeur

Hi Everyone -

My partner and I are both on the waiting list for vsg.  I went for my consultation in September 2009, and my partner went for her consultation in March 2010.  Because her BMI is lower, dr. atlas told her the wait would only be 1 year since she was eligible for the day surgery, whereas my wait time would be more like 2-3 years.  Anyhow, my partner was just contacted today by a secretary asking for her to attend a nutrition class on June 3rd at 9:30 am. We were really surprised to hear back from them so soon after her initial consultation just last month.  The only problem is that neither of us are fluently bilingual, and it was extremely difficult to understand the secretary who called.  We did not fully understand  the location information, and the secretary was not able to speak slower or spell it out.  The best we could get was that the nutrition class is with someone with the last name Mitchell at a room at the Sacre Coueur. 

Is anyone else attending a nutrtion class as well that day? 
Do you know the location where it is held?
What is the nutrition class for?  they asked my partner to bring a food diary of what she ate the week before.  is the nutrition class to learn about how to eat post surgery?  why do they need a food diary then?  what is the typical order of things...is it consultation, nutrition class, blood tests, liquid fast, surgery?  I'm just wondering why her nutrition class is so early?

The secretary recommended that we bring a bilingual friend with us to translate since this is a french nutrition class - afterall she said "it is a french hospital".  Unfortunately, we cannot bring a friend to translate, we are coming in from out of town.   It doesn't sound like there are any english classes available.   this is a longshot, but maybe there's someone from here on this board who might be available that morning to attend the class with my partner to help translate?

its rare that we run into this kind of language barrier...we can read french, but spoken french is sometimes just  too fast for us to understand.  we're really trying to learn, and most times people are very kind and patient with us.  Now when we are dealing with a surgery and important health information, its very unnerving to not fully understand each other. 

If anyone has any suggestions or information - all would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Hi, usually this class is held near the time of the surgery, or a few months before... I had mine jan.7 and had surgery feb 2. They have those classes approximatively each 3 months... It seems to me that she will have her surgery in a few months...I heard that right now, it is really  fast for one day surgeries at Rockland MD...Lucky people with lower BMI's and no health problems...  But I also heard that Dr Atlas was on vacation for july and august... so maybe sept??

For the class, the nutritionnist, Anne Marie Mitchell explains the pre-op diet, and the post-op diet... and answers some questions. I don't know why the food journal, they collect those at the end of the session. Maybe they will use them at our  private appointement later... If you don't understand what she'll say, no problem, because all she does is read a document that they give you. You can read that after at home. She doesn't say much more than what's in the document. I don't know if they have this in English, you could ask at that time. And you can also ask me if there is something you don't understand in the text.

My class was at "Salle Emilie-Gamelin "  first floor, wing "J". I figure it should be in the same place. And there were signs when I arrived at the hospital, that said were the Bariatric reunion was, so just followed the signs... It was a big reunion, approximatively 50 persons.

Hope that helps. If you have any other questions, please ask. And excuse me if I made some mistakes in my english, I am french speaking...

Have a nice day!

I forgot to answer about the order of things... usually it' the consultation, then the nutrition class, then you have an appointement to see Martine, the bariatric nurse that does the blood tests, and schedules you for other tests if needed. Then the hospital calls you for your date. And they tell you when to start the liquid diet, that you order at the dr's office...

Thank you so much for all the information!!!...particularly the location - now that we see it written, it'll be one less thing to worry about that morning!  Wow - if you're right about the timeframe - it'll come fast!

This is just a point of clarification. In québec english speaking citizens have a right to ask for english documents and english services. It is part of the Health and Social Services Act. I do know that there are hospitals that are designated french only in French only populations but I would definately think Montreal is not one of them. I live in Gaspé and our Hospital is designated bilingual.....go figure. I am sorry I live so far away to help but please use this board if need be and of course our local expert Diane will help you! LOL....

Wow, local expert...LOL ... Not at all !!!

But since I passed those steps recently, and at the same hospital, it is easier for me to answer... And I think with what we learn in the forum here, we are all more expert than some nurses or nut !!LOL

Hi,

I just wanted to add that I went for my appointment on Feb. 4th at the same hall as Diane. But a few of us also met with Martine that morning for our blood tests and information and if needed some other tests. So since I think you are coming from a little far away, you can ask her in advance if you can get all the tests done.

Cindy

Thanks for all the information.