July 27, 2006
Yahoo! I received approval for WLS consultation from OHIP today. I have booked my seminar with Dr. O'Malley for September 28th. Wow, I just can't wait for things to get rolling now. I want to begin a new life and be able to shop for clothing at any store I "Fat Man's" store. I want to be able to shop at Old Navy, Sears, Gap or anywhere I want. It has been great having so many experienced people give advice and information that they have experienced during their journey through WLS. Without their advice and information, I'm sure I wouldn't have been approved so quickly.
June 7, 2006
Today I submitted my application to OHIP for coverage to have RNY surgery in Rochester, N.Y. This has been a long time coming. I first thought of having surgery done in 1986 after working at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax, N.S. While working there, I used to see patients coming into the hospital to get the surgery and thought how this might help me with my weight problem. It has always been in the back of my mind as a possibility. Recently I saw a few documentaries about the RNY surgery and finally decided to take the first step. Now I'm so excited to get it done and begin a new life.
Sleep Disorder Clinic
Nov 18, 2006
November 19, 2006 - I went for my final sleepover at the Sleep Disorder Clinic last night. They were checking how much pressure I will need to have on my CPAP machine. Before I was wired up fo sound, the technician weighed me. I was 324!! That is down a total of 23 lbs. since I began my WLS journey. I have an appointment with the nutritionist on Tuesday Nov. 21, 2006. I think she will be pleased with my weight loss so far.
Down 19 lbs.
November 9, 2006 - I have been keeping to the post surgery diet in anticipation of my next meeting with the nutritionist. My hardest times are on the weekends. During the week, when I am busy at work and doing what has to be done, I don't think about eating. When I have down time is the killer. Anyway, I am working hard and the results are proof. I went to see my PCP on Thursday for routine stuff and while I was there I stepped on the scale and realized that I had lost 8 pounds since my visit with the nutritionist. In total, I am down 19 lbs. since the beginning of August. I have another nutritionist appointment on November 21st., so I must be especially good this coming week.
Nutritionist Seminar Completed
October 19, 2006 - Went to Rochester and met with the nutritionist and about nine other patients. Of course, I did not feel that I learned anything new there. I have known for years what I should be eat, but that is not always what enters my mouth. She did give us some good information on how we will need to eat post surgery and set some goals for our next meeting. I will be working on eating more slowly as well as drinking more water and not drinking at meal times. I have als agreed to get more exercise. I have joined a local gym, that also has an olympic size swimming pool, hot tub and sauna available. I must be good and loose weight or stay the same, or the nutritionist will make me come back again in another month. I really don't want to prolong the wait before surgery. I feel that I am ready for it now, and will do anything to make sure I have it as soon as possible.
On a lighter note, my wife and two daughters joined me for the trip and we made a little shopping vacation out of it. We had a wonderful time in Rochester, except I think my wallet is suffering a great loss. The RIT is a great place to stay. They have a small indoor pool, hot tub and sauna. The girls really enjoyed this part of the trip. It ended up being a good little vacation for our family.
Nutritionist Appointments Set
October 6, 2006 - Received an email from the nutritionist with Dr. O'Malley and she is ready to set up my nutritionist seminar and two follow-up appointments. Yahoo, the last strep is in front of me and I'm ready to start walking towards it. I know the one thing I will have to do is begin a more regimented exercise routine. This will be my first goal to work on before my appointment. Now I can't wait to call the office and arrange for those appointments.
PCP Appointment
October 3, 2006 - Had an appointment with my PCP today to complete paperwork for Dr. O'Malley's Nutritionist. It is so heartwarming to have your PCP support you so much and have him tell you that OHIP should be paying obese people $ 10,000.00 to have this surgery, because of the health benefits in the future and reduced strain on the healthcare system. I am so lucky to have his full support in my decision to have WLS. He completed the forms, added a couple more sheets of documentation and faxed it immediately to Rochester for me. While there, he weighed my and to my complete satisfaction, I am down a total of 11 lbs. since August 4th. when I met with the obesity doctor in Cornwall. I have been following the post-op diet from Dr. O'Malley's office in anticipation of my nutritionist's appointment.
Seminar Completed
October 1, 2006 - The start of a new month and a whole new outlook on a better future. I went down to Rochester on Thursday Sept 28 and Friday Sept 29 to go to the seminar and meet with the psychiatrist. It was a very exciting and informative trip. My father came with me for the ride and to keep me company. We left at 6:00 a.m and crossed into the US from right here in Cornwall. We made good time on Route 37 and stopped in Alexandria Bay for a coffee. The sky was overcast, but it didn't rain until we just about arrived in Rochester, which was about 10:30 a.m. We made good time, and found our way right to our hotel, the RIT. What a great setup they have there. We went for lunch early at Tim Hortons and got back to the hotel at 12:00. I reserved a shuttle to Highland Hospital for 12:30 and when I was in the lobby, I met a fellow Canadian, Carole, from Hawkesbury (about an hour from Cornwall). We had a good chat on the way and she is a beautiful woman. The seminar began by Diane explaining a lot about insurance, which mostly affected the US patients. Then Kathy came to discuss the nutition portion of the seminar, and finally Dr. O'Malley came in and really did a fine job answering questions and explaining the procedure. I certainly feel totally at ease with him and know that I am in excellent hands. After the seminar, the Canadian patients went to have an individual appointment with Dr. O'Malley. Things went well during that visit, and everything seems to be on track for the next steps.
On Friday I met with the psychiatrist, Dr. Cushman, who was very easy to talk too and was genuinely interested in making sure that I knew all of the possible risks involved with the surgery, and to make sure that I was ready for the change in lifestyle that WLS entails. The appointment went very well, and she approved me for the next process, which is to meet with the nutritionist for a seminar and individual appointment.
I will be seeing my PCP on Tuesday to complete paperwork required to be faxed back to Dr. O'Malley's office, then I am hoping to have the nutritionist appointments booked shortly thereafter. Things are progressing smoothly so far, and I hope they continue to do so.
Summer's Over (Boo-Hoo)
September 4, 2006- I can't believe that the summer is over already, but that also means that I am closer to my consult with Dr. O'Malley. Now I'm really getting anxious to get to Rochester and have my first appointment. I hope all goes well, and Dr. O'Malley feels that I am a good candidate for WLS. I didn't buy much clothes this summer because I want to wait in the hopes of shrinking and being able to buy new smaller clothes next summer. I will have to make due with what I have for now. I went to the sleep clinic on Saturday night (Sept. 2, 2006) and got weighed. I lost 7 pounds since August. 1st. I have really been trying to watch what I eat. I need to start a diary for the nutritionist, so he/she can really see that I am trying. That is my next resolution!!!
Approved !!
July 27, 2006- Yahoo! I received approval for WLS consultation from OHIP today. I have booked my seminar with Dr. O'Malley for September 28th. Wow, I just can't wait for things to get rolling now. I want to begin a new life and be able to shop for clothing at any store I "Fat Man's" store. I want to be able to shop at Old Navy, Sears, Gap or anywhere I want. It has been great having so many experienced people give advice and information that they have experienced during their journey through WLS. Without their advice and information, I'm sure I wouldn't have been approved so quickly.
