Hi everyone,

I'm new to this journey. I have my appointment with Dr. Pace on the 24th. However I hear a lot of talk here about meeting with different people before the surgery.

I guess what I'm asking is, could you tell me how your progress has been?
From your family doctor to the surgery. How long did you have to be in the hospital? How long was your recovery? How long before you were able to get back to work?

I know this is a lot of questions, I'm so excited, curious, nervous. and all the above.. I hope someone can share their experiences with me..

Hi Murphy: You would get more info. from everyone in the facebook
group. It is private and separate from any of the other facebook stuff.
See the next section in this forum to get the link. Welcome, Terrie

 HI There, 

I am meeting with Dr. Pace on Jan 24 as well.   So far this is what my process has been

1) Referral sent in by family Dr.
2) Call from Raleen, the nurse practitioner, to confirm my referral was received
3) Attended a general information session hosted by Raleen and Rhoda (dietitian)
4) Was asked to complete a two week liquid diet and track all information - especially protein
5) Had a private consult with Raleen and Rhoda after the two week liquid diet
6)Received an appointment with Dr. Pace after that.
7) Have been invited to attend the support group meetings.
8) From what I understand there is a longer wait for surgery now - maybe June or this fall for us but it does look like 2012 is our time!
9) The wait list is growing exponentially!  We are lucky we were referred this past summer!



Trina

From speaking to those who have had surgery - the minimum time in the hospital is 2 days. Sometimes this is longer - for inistance you have to be able to drink the minimum amount of fluids before you can leave.

I have a desk job Raleen thinks it may be possible to return to work in two weeks - however it depends and I am planning on at least three and hoping for two. This varies from person to person but I am really hoping to be back in two weeks. I think most people have been off for at least three.

If you have a physical demanding job you will have to be off longer.

Jdeon has a blog post on here and it has a wealth of information!

I can completely appreciate the curiosity in the process and wait times and everything like that, but the only "problem" with asking questions about wait times is that this program is so new that it seems that everyone is having different experiences in wait times.

There is no 'normal' established yet unfortunately. 

For example, my experience has been:
- first referral/meeting with Dr. Pace in 2008, (surgeries were not being done at that point)
- second referral/meeting with Dr. Pace and the rest of the team June 2011, when surgeries were actually being booked.
- pre-op tests done in July 2011
- liquid diet trial Aug/Sept 2011
- surgery Sept 26, 2011

I was in hospital for 3 days, feeling tender for 1.5 weeks, off work for 3 weeks.
No food intolerance's (so far) and no nausea after the first week.

Everyone's journey is different. It has been harder for some, and easier for others. There is no one solid answer for anything.