iluvthesun

Well I had my surgery as scheduled on Oct 4th and everything went well. Dr. Gagner used a 34 French Bougie and he oversews to about a 32. He said I had a long J shaped stomach so it was hard to say what percent of my stomach he actually removed. I have been on mushies since the 2nd day post op - started in the hospital. Not sure how much I have lost as I don't have a scale but I will see a Dr. on Tuesday and get weighed. I had lost 10 pounds between pre-op testing and the morning of surgery which gwas a good start. I'm not getting in my fluids or Protein yet.....everyday I tell myself I can do better, but 'm not sure I accomplish that! I'm enjoying my seat on the bench! Nancy

Hi everyone, I am having my VSG on October 4th in Montreal, Quebec, Canada by Dr. Michel Gagner. I am self pay. My Dr. doesn't require a pre-op diet but I plan to do a liquid diet anyway starting on Sunday so I have 1 week to get rid of some of the carb cravings.... I am excited but nervous also. I have wanted this for more than 1 year so it is hard to believe it is really going to happen soon. Nancy

Hi everyone, It has been a long time since I posted, but I thought I would check in. Here is my story: Overweight almost my whole life. I lost over 100 pounds (twice) and gained it all back + each time. In July 2009 my Dr. referred me to Halifax NS for a VSG. I was waiting for an invitation to an info. session. Back in Oct. my spouse accepted a promotion in Ottawa (we were living in PEI). He moved in Nov. I stayed behind to sell the house and look after our 2 boys while they finished school. In May I sold the house (a 15 day closing period), packed everything up and moved the boys and I into a friends place. I came to Ottawa to buy a house only to be told by my (now) ex-spouse that he thought we should buy our own houses....... So I bought a house and moved my kids and I from PEI. You see by then I had already quit my job, sold my house, started a new job in Ottawa so there was no going back. All during this time I was waiting to hear about an info. session for the surgery in NS. I seriously thought about going to Mexico but my family begged me not to. My Mom has loaned me money to allow me to pay for VSG. If I waited another 18 months or so I could get the RNY paid for by the Ontario Gov't but I don't want to wait that long and I don't really want the RNY. So, 2 weeks from today on Oct 4th I will have a VSG done by Dr. Michel Gagner in Montreal, Quebec. He is doing surgery at 2 or 3 places, I will have mine at a 17 bed surgery centre at a cost of 15,000 total. So move over all you post surgery Cdn's, I'm waiting anxiously to get on the losers bench. Nancy

Hi everyone, I am having surgery in Montreal, Canada with Dr. Gagner on Oct. 4th. He doesn't require a pre-op diet......but I'm thinking of doing some Protein shakes the week before anyway... Nancy

Hi Mini, I've been off the boards for a bit. Moving, separating from my now ex-husband, buying a house etc. One of the things about moving to a city like Ottawa is the cost of parking downtown where I work, the traffic and the use of public transportation. I hate riding the bus. Part of it is because I have to walk to and from the bus stop and that is difficult for me, but most of it is because I know I take up more than one seat....I try to sit in a spot where there is an extra seat so I don't squish anyone. On Friday I tried to sit in a single stand- alone seat but the seat squished me so I moved.....people would rather stand than sit with me, even when I try to take up as little room as possible. I used to feel the same way about flying, happy to go where I was going, but dreading having to share a seat with someone and squishing them. I think that things will be very different once I have my surgery (just booked it for Oct. 5th in N.Y). I know I will be more comfortable and take up less space, but I also think people avoid sitting near / making eye contact with obese people for other reasons. I agree with the poster that it is a prejudice like others. In my organization it is all about "youth" right now....you would think at 48 I was ancient.....oh well, can't (and don't want to) change that one. I'm happy to see how well you are doing. It's healthy to own the emotion of being ticked at people who treat you different. Take care, Nancy, formerly from PEI

Hi everyone, Just a note to let you know what is going on with me. I have been waiting since July 09 for an invitation to an information meeting with Dr. Ellesmere in Nova Scotia (next Prov. only). In the meantime, our family decided to move to Ottawa, ON. The Ontario health system will pay for RNY, however I would only have coverage in Oct, and then I have to go through the whole process and they have a lot of people at various stages, plus they don't do the VSG. So....I was seriously looking at Mexico, but my family have asked me not to do that, and my Mom is going to loan me some money. In Ottawa alot of people had been referred out of country (U.S.) as they didn't have a bariatric surgery program. I went to a support group meeting and 90 % of the people had their surgery with Dr. Graber / Dr. Fitzer in Utica / New Hartford, NY. I called and their self pay price isn't bad ($6,000 cheaper than the Dr. in Montreal). It will be around 15,000. So I booked a consultation and I am driving there tonight. They have an information session at 8 a.m., and then I have my private consultation at 3 p.m. I am really excited to hear what the Dr. has to say..... Anyway, I'll keep you posted. Nancy

Hi there, The consultation went well. The office seemed to be very efficiently organized. I attended an info. session with the surgeon and 6 other people. He only talked about the RNY and lapband, but gave good info. and explained things clearly. He has been doing surgery for 4 years, is board certified, etc. He has done 1500 WLS in those 4 years and had good results. At my consultation I met with the Intake person who did pulse, Blood pressure, weight, height (I shrank - eek), medical & family history, prescriptions. Then I met with the licensed practical nurse who answered a lot of my questions and told me what the process was, what to expect, etc. Then I met with the Dr. He felt I was a good candidate and only need the regular testing done - EKG and blood work. However, he recommended the RNY - feels it gets better results in the long term. He said VSG is becoming popular because it is a less complicated surgery to perform. He has only done 2 VSG's, using a 32 bougie (tight at the top, loose at the bottom with oversewing). He said the bottom part of the stomach is thicker and moves around more so the oversewing for that part makes it more secure. I told him that I would research it a bit further, but I think I still want the VSG. In the long run I would like to be able to have something with a bit of sugar and not pay the price. They were ready to book the surgery for the middle of July or 2nd week of August. But I have to talk to my boss, and I am in the process of buying a house, getting separated, moving my family and trying to juggle $ for all. Thanks for asking. Nancy

Hi Mini Me Congrats on your accomplishment. You must feel great! Nancy

Hi Tiff, Congratulations! That is the first time I've seen your before picture. What a difference. You were smiling then, but you look so happy now. It has been so inspiring following your journey. Nancy

Congrats! Nancy

Hi Cheryl, I'm so happy to see your post. Thank you for sharing your details, I can't wait to hear future updates. You mnetioned 1 of 2 houses - is the 2nd Dr. Betancourts? You also mentioned stairs - in the recovery house are the bedrooms upstairs? Thanks & Congrats!!! Nancy

Mini Me, I'm so glad to hear that everything went well with your surgery. I understand that in another day or two you will be feeling a lot better. Take care and let us know how you are doing when you feel up to it. Nancy

Hi Allison, At the top of the page there is a tab marked "chat", if you right click you can open it in a separate windows. I'll go in to see if you show up! Nancy

Hi Mini-Me, I'll be sending some positive thoughts and prayers your way. I'm so excited for you. Keep in touch and let us know how you are getting along. Nancy

Hi Allison, Do you have time to pop into the chat room for a few minutes? Nancy

Hi Carla, I noticed that Dr. Joya set up the complications fund ($500). I haven't seen many posts from people that had the sleeve with Dr. Joya, but I have watched some youtube and the hotel you recover in looks awesome. Please take lots of pictures and share all the details. Nancy

Hi Carla, You must be so excited - such a short time left before you get out of the snow and start your new journey to weight loss. What Doctor is doing your surgery and where? Don't forget to let us know how you are getting along. I haven't booked anything so I'm really curious about what everybody else is doing!! Living through everyone else's surgery and recovery until the day I have my own done. Take care, Nancy

Good morning, Well it is a sunny but cool morning here in PEI. I'm just checking in to see how everybody is doing. Looking for an update on all you losers!! Hope you have a great day. Nancy

Hi mini me,, I can't wait to hear all about your surgery, the facility etc. If you have any info that you have received from Dr. Umbach's office or others (that you are willing to share), please send me a PM. If you are talking to them and they can give you an updated number on the sleeves performed it would be great (I'm not sure if they could send them to OH). Thanks and best wishes for a great surgery and recovery Nancy

2b4me / Cheryl, Nothing really new on my end. We are moving to Ottawa so I had our first open house. Apparently there were lots of people through - and a couple of them were even looking for houses (haha). I hear a lot of people go to open houses to see people's decorating (or in my case - lack of decorating). I have been busy researching Dr's I've been checking out youtube and some of the postings there. Dr. Joya in Puerta Vaillarta looks quite interesting- a couple of days in the hospital and then a few more at an ocean side resort. The video of the hospital looks really nice. I've also been watching one with Dr. Alvarez and again the hospital looks really nice. I struggle with the need for more services / luxury vs. the cost of those. I was checking out the bank account and trying to decide between paying off a loan and using the money for surgery....My husband is warming up to the idea and said pay the loan and then we can save 2 months of interest by borrowing the money again......and then the mastercard bill arrived and I think I'm selfish for wanting to spend all this money on myself....although I know if I feel good and I'm happier my whole family benefits - not to mention the decrease in risk to my health. I'm going to Ottawa for a meeting on March 11th and could leave that weekend - go have my surgery and then go back to Ottawa to work a bit more. The surgery will definitely be cheaper with a flight from Ottawa. I have to say I got a bit nervous at the idea the medical centre is in a strip mall......I'm still a little confused over the Jeruselum hosp. vs. the other location. Is one being replaced with the other? I wish I was just brave enough to do it... I know Dr. Joya doesn't have any openings the 13th.... but I didn't check with Dr. Almanza. I'm not really nervous about the surgery itself, just worried something would happen and I'd be alone - silly I know. decisions, decisions....I'm glad you made yours and are still happy with it. Take care, sorry for the long post. Nancy

YES - Allison posted on the Cdn forum that she is home and doing great. What a relief. I suggested she get on the other threads and let everybody know. Nancy

Time for Me / Allison, I am so happy to hear from you. We were all really worried that we hadn't seen any posts from your mom giving us an update. You have to get on the other threads and post an update. It seems a little strange to wake up in the middle of the night worrying about somebody you've never me....but I did. As 2b4me (Cheryl) mentioned there have been a number of posts by secret garden telling what a horrible experience it was. I'm also glad to hear it went so well for you and that you are feeling great. Did you take any pictures? Tell us all the details, Nancy

I'm also anxiosly awaiting an update. I know her daughters surgery was on the 10th. Nancy

2b4me, I think as long as you have done your research and you know the facts about what to expect - good for you. I have seriously considered Dr. Almanza as well, just not ready to book anything yet. It is hard to decide, especially with the big diff. in price. Please keep us up to date on how you get along. Nancy

Hi youknowit, I would love to receive a PM with additional info. thanks. Nancy