Venting my Frustrations

I want to first say that I am very happy for those on the forum who have been able to get their surgery fairly quickly.  

However, I've been waiting since April.  I still find it so incredibly frustrating and heartbreaking that those in Southern Ontario can get their surgery so quickly and, since I'm from Northern Ontario, it will be/has been a year before I even get my one-on-ones and who knows how long before surgery.  

I have already complained about this before.  I've been doing my best to stay focused on losing weight and not on the wait times.  I'll continue to try and stay positive, but for just this moment - when my frustration and jealousy is feeling overwhelming - I am throwing a cyber-tantrum to vent out my frustrations.  NO FAIR! NO FAIR! NO FAIR!  

Sorry, I know it probably makes me look petty.  I really am happy for everyone who has had or gotten their surgery dates.  Just feeling jealous.

Rant away - I hope you feel better

Its tough - use the time wisely.  You wont remember the long wait once surgery is over. 

I really hope so.  

I"m guessing you are going through Sudbury.  Do you have appointments for your one on ones already?  They have lost many files over the years so if you don't have dates, stay on top of it.  Sometimes the squeaky wheel is needed even if it is just to check to make sure that you are scheduled.

Yep, going through Sudbury.  I have heard a few people talk about how unorganized it is there - including directly from Sudbury staff.  I was told they handle all the incoming patients for Northern Ontario, which is ridiculous.  When I first applied, they told me I had to wait for orientation for 6mos until I had quit smoking, but when I went to Orientation their were other patients who had never been told that and were still smoking.  They also told me my surgery would be 6 mos from orientation at the actual orientation, so I got really excited.  I came home and didn't hear from them so after a 2 weeks I called back and the person on the phone told me that I would get a call in 2 weeks telling me my first appointment wouldn't be for at least another 6months.  I was dumbfounded and I was like, "but wait, they said surgery would be in 6mos", and she said, "yeah, we're really behind now".   I said, "But I was told that like only 2weeks ago!"  
I was really upset.  Two weeks later, I called again and finally got linked to someone who gave me appointment dates for my one-on-ones. April 26th and 27th.  But now my confidence is shaken and I'm worried I'll get pushed back another year after my one-on-ones.  
I get that their busy but when I decided to go for surgery it was because I finally admitted to myself that I was morbidly obese.  Before last year, I was big but I still felt confident and beautiful.  Now, every time I look in the mirror I don't see myself and it hurts really bad.  I feel like I'm waiting to live again.

I feel your pain......If it makes you feel any better I'm in southern ont and I waited 18mths....and i hated every minute of the wait too !!!  It's OK to say it....it does suck..but it IS free and you are indeed very lucky to have this opportunity  SO... ..just know you are not alone and use you time wisely 

Thanks.  :)

I'm really trying to do things on my side.  I've stopped smoking, started working out again.  I'm trying to eat 3x a day and drink more water.  I went out and got a dietitian who is familiar with the bariatric process to help me get into healthier habits while I wait to meet the dietitian in Sudbury.  Trying to cut out caffeine and pop - which turns out is harder than quitting smoking.  lol

Sounds like you are well on your way to a healthier you!!!!!   Nice work!!

Good for you; you're really on your way!

I can empathize with the whole Sudbury/Northern ON thing.  I had to do orientation twice because it took so long to get in to see an asthma specialist.  The one I normally see disappeared for months; nobody answered the phone at the office and nobody returned either my calls or the calls from my family doctor's office.  Then the people in Sudbury had the nerve to say I must not want surgery very badly if I'm not bothering to get in to see the asthma specialist.  I asked how on earth I was supposed to do that when the only specialist in town wasn't returning phone calls or booking appointments but the girl on the phone insisted I just wasn't trying hard enough. 

Lucky for me, my doctor was able to get me in to see a visiting specialist, who then decided, based on just looking at me and seeing how big I am, that I probably don't have asthma (even though I've had it since I was a baby and every doctor I've ever seen has told me I have severe chronic asthma).  So I had to do tests to prove I have asthma.  Then he (visiting specialist) called me in and said "I have bad news.  You have asthma."  I said, "That's not news; I've had it since I was a baby, as I tried to tell you."

Then I had to do all of my bloodwork all over again because it taken so long trying to see an asthma specialist, and my Vitamin A levels had dropped to nothing, despite the fact that I rode my bike almost every day last summer and fall, and take a multivitamin.  So it was another 6 months trying to get my A levels up.  Once I met the surgeon via telehealth, things really started to move forward.  In my opinion, the whole Sudbury thing is unnecessary; they don't do anything medical beyond weighing us and checking our blood pressure.  Our family doctors can do that.  The rest of the things that they do could easily be done via telehealth, or in online classes.

Good luck with your wait.  It takes a long time but it will come soon enough.  After waiting what seems ages, I'm now on my pre-op liquid protein diet and only 17 days away from surgery ;-).