You remind me of myself when I was waiting for the orientation letter! haha Things start to speed up but keep calling for cancellations to get your dates moved up after orientation.

Your healthier lifestyle goals are great! Keep doing them and talk about your changes with the social worker and nurse. They will appreciate the effort you're making.

I finally received an orientation date! January 29th! I'm literally counting down the days!

I have been chasing this surgery for 4 years. I asked my family doctor twice to refer me to the network and he refused both times. The first time he referred me to Dr. Poon, but when I researched what he was about, it sounded like another diet program to fail at. I live quite far from their offices as well, so I never ended up attending. The second time, my doctor talked to me about depression and thought maybe I should try antidepressants to see if it would help me gain control of my habits and supress my appetite. I took Prozac for a few months before stopping because I didn't like the way they made me feel.

I had had my family doctor since birth and he retired in April 2018. I eventually decided to try the walk in clinic to see if I could get a referral from them in September 2018. Again, I got the whole Dr. Poon talk and the talk about nutrients and what I should be eating. At the end of the visit, he did agree to refer me to Bariatric Network, but a few weeks later when I followed up with his office, they informed me that he had actually referred me to Dr. Poon instead. I once again denied the referral. I'm sick of diets and it seems like a short term solution for a long term problem.

I FINALLY got an awesome new family doctor in October 2018 who agreed that the Bariatric Network sounded like a great opportunity for me based on my history. He agreed to refer me and did so November 9th. I was originally referred to TWH, but I called them to be redirected to Humber River because I liked the thought of just getting on and off the 401 for the journey to Toronto because it is about an hour away (with traffic).

I had called Humber to check on my file at the beginning of December just to make sure it had been successfully transferred, and it was. I waited anxiously for my package in the mail, but nothing. Two days ago, I decided to call the hospital again just to see if I had been assigned a date and the woman I spoke to was very friendly and offered to book me in for January 29th! She sent me my paperwork through email a few hours later.

I am so EXCITED! I know its a small step in the big picture of it all, but it's a step forward!! I have started keeping a journal to track some goals I'm working towards because I know I have some emotional eating issues and just eating out of habit when I'm not hungry. So far I haven't had any pop for 5 days, I've been working on getting 8 glasses of water a day, cutting back to one coffee a day (from 2-3), and upping my protein. I meal prepped on Sunday, which has been super helpful since I do have a 9 month old at home and that has been one of my excuses for a while. I've been talking to other post surgery patients and asking lots of questions, I've read books, I've read websites... I'm informed and super confident that this surgery will help me change my life!

Woo! That was long, sorry! But I'm too happy right now! Only 20 days to go!

Hope all went well! I so remember day 1 and 2 and 3 and etc.... so overwelming as I re learned how to eat. Felt pressure but take the time to heal well and focus on yourself. This is the time to be super selfish and put yourself first. Cry if you need to. Blessings!

Good luck, hope you are doing well!

Hi Wrkin' CC is in Florida visiting her father. She left before Christmas and will be back this month.

Her dad doesn't have internet or its very slow she doesn't post but she does try to pop on and read.

She'll be back soon!