Newbie--what is the process like?

I've just been referred by my family doctor in Sarnia, and I was wondering if anyone would like to share their experiences, tips, advice, etc?

how long will it be until I hear about my first appt? Where will I likely have surgery? If there are no issues, what is the length of time between the initial referral and the surgery? 

Thanks!

Just wanted to say welcome... Every center is different I am sure someone in your area will pipe up.  I am not even sure where Sarnia is.

 

Michelle

In about a week or two your doctor should receive a fax confirming that the Registry has processed your registration. It's a good idea to give your doctor's office a call at that time to make sure they got it. If not, try back a week later. If they don't have it within 3 weeks something may have gone awry. I know of some people who have waited months only to discover that Registry didn't receive their info, and they had to start from scratch!

As mentioned, your doctor should have received a fax to confirm that the Registry has processed your registration. Call or visit your doctor's office and ask to see the fax and 1) write down your Registry ID #, 2) confirm what Centre you've been assigned to (don't assume that it's the one closest to you... the Registry made an error with my application and if I hadn't checked the confirmation fax and followed up it wouldn't have been corrected), and 3) write down the phone number/address of the Centre (it should be on the fax but can also be found online).

Once you have your ID # call the Centre you've been assigned to and confirm with them that you're on their radar too. You can let them know that you're interested in cancellations if they come up. They might have a cancellation list or may tell you to call back once a month to check. Every Centre is different, so some don't back-fill cancelled spots, but it's worth a try!!!

WAIT TIMES...

It seems like wait times vary slightly between Centres. If you read people's signatures you can get an idea of their timetables. Once people go through Orientation, I'm assuming that they are triaged based on medical need, so if you have co-morbidities be sure to list them on any questionnaires you're sent. I was mistakenly assigned to St Joes Hamilton, and called them to see if they had a cancellation list that would enable me to get into an earlier Orientation session. I was told, in no uncertain terms, that they did not. Other Centres may try to accommodate or it may just have been the person on the phone that day.

The wait is frustrating, but the more I learn about the surgery the happier I am that it is. Using the time to start adopting post-WLS practices is important. The surgery comes with so many limitations, lifestyle changes, and the breaking of life-long habits -- I want to be sure that I can do them.

Start implementing the gastric bypass lifestyle... stop drinking from straws, do not drink within 30 minutes either side of eating, chew your food to a paste before swallowing, taking your vitamins EVERY day, etc. Having a food journal also helps (a lot), and it seems like all the Centres want to see evidence that you've been doing one. Also, if you smoke, STOP! You cannot have the surgery if you've had even 1 cigarette within 6 months of your surgery (at least at HRRH). You can't drink alcohol or carbonated beverages either, so start working those out of your life.

Here's a link to the St Joe's Manual:

http://www.stjoes.ca/media/PatientED/U-Z/PD%206000%20Bariatric%20Surgery%20-%20Gastric%20Bypass%20February%2029%202012.pdf.

Welcome and good luck!!!

I think the above poster covered pretty much all that you need to know.

My personal journey started in February with my GP sending off the referral.  I received a letter in the mail in March for the Guelph Bariatric Clinic saying that my orientation was in May.  They sent off a bunch of paper work for me to fill out and a list of blood work or other necessary tests that they wanted completed. I took them to my GP and I had everything done before the orientation.

I am about a week away from meeting my surgeon so probably about 4-6 weeks away from surgery. 

I am from London and Guelph was the closest facility but I am assuming you will go to Windsor.

Good Luck!  And absorb as much as you can!!!!

My advice would be to look into taking the "Craving Change" workshop or looking into other Cognitive Behaviour Therapy books on weight loss.  It takes some trainer to get our heads wrapped around why we eat the way we do. So starting to figure it out early is the best in the long run. 

also...the Social Workers will be very keen on that :)

Good luck!

Welcome!  I think that you got some very good info above and I don't know that I could add more.  Just wanted to say welcome :)

Wow! Thanks for all the info! I just heard from my family doc today--orientation is in March in Windsor!

YAY!!!!