Where are all the Canadians ?

[Ivanova8 77]

I'm 5'3", 207 lbs and I have high blood pressure and arthritis. My BMI shows 35.5 on the mayo Clinic's calculator. Just a 5 lbs lose would put me at 34.7 BMI. Ugh!

I love your advice on being honest. What you said about lifestyle changes etc. certainly hits the head on the nail. I'll for sure let them know all of that.

I think I need to stop worrying about all this because I'm driving myself crazy. If it's meant to be fantastic! If not, well then losing weight some other way will be a definite challenge.

Edited October 24, 2014 by Ivanova8

[BriWLS 12]

No problem ! Yeah you will be fine everything will work out the way it's ment to ! Keep me updated though ????

[Ivanova8 77]

Thanks BriWLS. I'll keep you posted.

[RuthFour 15]

Hi, I reside west of Ottawa, Ontario. Great to see other Canadians on here. Am doing my Optifast right now in prep for surgery in 1 week and a half. I'm nervous and I just read something about "DS" surgery or "duodenal switch". No one mentioned it to me and am just wondering if anyone knows anything about this?

I can't believe I'm saying this .... but looking forward to smoothies.

Ruth

[Ivanova8 77]

@@RuthFour Hi RuthFour! Welcome!

The DS isn't offered here in Canada under OHIP.

So are you a RNY or VSG gal? Congrats on your surgery being just around the corner!

By the way which Optifast are you taking? Is it the Optifast 900? I see there are a few different product lines for Optifast.

[anewme2015 345]

Hello! Ancaster Ontario here! Early in the process and very excited to see Canadians talking. This information is so helpful. I'm curious abt wait times. I'm getting done at Hamilton's St.Joe's if I'm approved.

[Ivanova8 77]

Welcome anewme2015! I'm at Toronto Western so I can't help you with wait times.

Good luck on your journey!

[RuthFour 15]

Thanks Ivanova8, I'm having RNY and am on Optifast 900. They sell it to you at the hospital before surgery.

Welcome "anewme2015". My wait was fairly long but it probably differs from one city to another. They also need to run tests and make sure that you are otherwise healthy. Found out I had sleep apnea so had to get a machine for that....my Iron was low so had to resolve that. Cyst in uterus, endoscopy, etc. etc. And we are now good to go. You can help it along by asking your GP to get started on blood work, etc., sleep clinic and so on.

Good Luck,

Ruth

[Ivanova8 77]

Thanks Ruth for the Optifast info. I wanted to see if it was the Kosher one that they made available and it is! So that's a big plus for me.

[anewme2015 345]

Welcome "anewme2015". My wait was fairly long but it probably differs from one city to another. They also need to run tests and make sure that you are otherwise healthy. Found out I had sleep apnea so had to get a machine for that....my Iron was low so had to resolve that. Cyst in uterus, endoscopy, etc. etc. And we are now good to go. You can help it along by asking your GP to get started on blood work, etc., sleep clinic and so on.

Good Luck,

Ruth

Thanks Ruth! I'm slotted in for a sleep study already and all of my blood work is in order.

I'm going to start calling weekly to see if I can take people's cancelled appointments. Many people have said that can help speed up the process.

I've heard Hamilton has fairly decent wait times, as Canada goes, with people waiting between 3-9 months- although it seems closer to 9 is typical.

I don't have other health issues, as far as I know so hopefully that moves things along. I don't wait well. Haha.

I'm trying to use the time to meet Bariatric "friends" and to research. I'm think bypass over sleeve but I'm not sure if that is a surgeon decision or patient. Anyway, thanks for the welcome!

[cab127 65]

Welcome anewme2015! I'm at Toronto Western so I can't help you with wait times.

Good luck on your journey!

I am also at Toronto Western. Where are you in the process?

[Ivanova8 77]

@@cab127 I've done orientation, the social worker and the nurse practitioner. I'm scheduled to see the psychologist on Friday. My blood work and EKG have also been done.

My NUT info session and dietitian appointments are in November and I have a surgeon consult in mid-December. I wonder how long after that will they schedule the surgery? Providing of course all else goes well.

What about you? Do you have your date yet?

[Lallylocks 111]

I'm from rural SE Saskatchewan. Sleeved September 24 (one month ago) in Victoria BC. I've lost 22 pounds since surgery. I'm a 35 year old RN. Height of 5'8", highest known weight of 374, presently 305.8.

[Ivanova8 77]

@@Lallylocks Welcome! Lucky you, you're already on your way. It's nice to see Saskatchewan does the gastric sleeve. I wish they did it here but only under special circumstances.

How are you feeling? Congrats on the 22 lbs gone!

[BriWLS 12]

Long waiting list for the surgery eveyone BUT some advice CALL The OFFICE everyday for cancelations ! You will get in much much faster I did this and it worked ????