Dietitian today

So some of you are familiar with the process here in Ontario - but it does vary depending on the centre that you choose. I'm at Toronto Western. The process started for me in February with a referal from my family doctor (PCP?). In April I had an orientation, then an appointment with a social worker, and a nurse practitioner. From there I had a Nutrition class, and today I see the dietitian- it's the 2nd last step before I get an appointment to meet the surgeon. Next appointment will be Sept 21, to see a psychologist.  Sounds like I'm getting close and I know I am a lot closer than I was 6 months ago - but it could still be another 6-8 months- and that's actually fairly quick.  Trying so hard to be patient. 

Hey Daizymom, I also went through TWH. My timeline is pretty close to yours as well.  I think you will have surgery in December or maybe early New Year.  I think it will be sooner than you think.  If your psychologist is Sept 21 then your chart will go to the team for review and then you will get your appt for the Nurse/Surgeon, I can see that happening in October or November.  A lot of people don't want surgery over Xmas you if you are cool with that you might get a surgery date then, if not then in the New Year for sure.

My referral was sent in December 2012, I had my orientation January 2013, all my appts blah blah blah and I remember I saw the "Nurse/meet the Surgeon" in September and got a November 15th, 2013 surgery date.  The meet the surgeon appt is not all that its cracked up to be.... I saw the Surgical Resident more than the actual surgeon and note the surgeon you see may or may not be the person you have on surgery day.  So I had Dr. Jackson at my "meet the Surgeon day" and I had Dr. Urbach (who is amazing by the way) as my actual surgeon doing the surgery.  And you don't HAVE to buy your Opti at that appt unless you want to.  They will hand you a form that gets faxed to Medical Mart in Mississauga and they ship the Opti to you if you pay by credit card. I wanted to go and pick it up so I took the "prescription" and my hubby and I went to Medical Mart in person as its in the same mall as Heartland Town Centre and I wanted to do some shopping too LOL so I handed the girl my script and she said do you want Vanilla or Chocolate Opti or a mix? So I said I can do a mix?  She said sure.  I was on Opti for 2 weeks so I got  box (they are huge boxes) of Chocolate and a box of Vanilla. I preferred the vanilla and I bought Orange extract from the grocery store and made "creamsicles" and I bought raspberry crystal light powder and put that in the chocolate for a raspberry chocolate shake.

After each appt when you are there in person feel free to gently and politely (cuz you don't want to be mean to the person who books your appts right! lol) bug the secretary at the desk who books appts. There is always someone cancelling and moving their appts and you might get something moved up.  I know a ton of people who do that sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't.

I really liked the Dietitians there at TWH so good luck today, let me know if you have any questions! 

Thanks Daisy - My appointments have all been by Telehealth except Orientation and Nutrition class. Saves me the 70 km drive or public transit hassle. :) But I do call in on a regular basis and I've been able to get a cancellation for my orientation - moved up 3 weeks, and Nurse- moved up 2 weeks. My NP was simply awesome. She moved my nutrition class up by 6 weeks so that I could get in to see the dietitian and psychologist.  I wasn't supposed to have the NUT class until Sept 6 which meant I wouldn't have seen the dietitian until September or October and the Psychologist after that. When I call in, I'm always very nice to them. I even tried to move up these 2 appointments- the girl that answered chuckled- she said you know you have really good dates, right?

I know a couple of people who are already scheduled to meet the surgeon and their appointments aren't until October,  November. But I am totally cool with having surgery over Christmas- My kids would be disappointed but as long as I'm not actually in the hospital on Christmas Day, I am fine with whatever.

My plan, after I see the psychologist is to call in every week for the surgeon appointment.... :)  

I might go pick up my opti as well. :) We have family in Milton so we could go on a Saturday.

It seems like TWH is really backed up right now- but I'm hoping that it's because of summer.  I'm kind of jealous of all the HRRH people who are flying through their process- however many of them waited a long time for their orientation and overall wait times seem to be close to the same.

It went well! She doesn't need anymore food logs from me and told me she would see me after surgery!! 

She he also said being willing for surgery or opti over Christmas might mean getting an earlier date. ?