Hi Jackie,

Thanks for the reply.  I checked out Popeye's and found there is one in Moncton.  I'm going there on vacation next month so I can pick up some then.

Hi,

I've been buying Bariatric Advantage protein powder from the States for the past 18 months.  However, they are not now showing any meal replacement powders?  Where is everyone else getting their protein powder these days?  Any suggestions for good ones?

Hi,

I went for the info session in August of 2010.  They told us we would be hearing from them within the year.  Then I got busy with some online schooling.  I got my call to go back in March of 2011 and they told me I was not ready because I had not lost any weight.  I'd been concentrating so hard on school I forgot about me.  So they asked me to come back in June of 2011 and by that time I'd lost about 15 lbs and had my food logs all completed for them.  They then told me I was ready and I was done In August of 2011.  Sooo, when they tell you at the info session to start losing weight, they mean business.  If you want to get in soon you have to prove to them that you are serious.

Hope this helps.

Hi Bright eyes,

So glad to hear you are booked for surgery.  I had it done in august of last year and it was a piece of cake, pardon the pun!!  I had no difficulties whatsoever and I've been loosing steadily since then. I have not had a particularly fast weight loss, but I am happy with what's happening.

As to the waiting period, the number and type of health problems you have and things like your age are taken into account.  From the time of my initial referral to the surgery date was about 3 years. Of course, I'm now a 'slighly senior citizen'so I think that helped me.

Good luck and before you know it you will be joining us on the losers' bench.

Hi Kentville,

You may have more luck going through the New Brunswick forum as that type of surgery is performed in New Brunswick. I don't believe it is being done here in Nova Scotia at all. I know I had the Vertical sleeve Gastrectomy here in Halifax last summer. My understanding is that it is the only type of WLS performed here.

Hi FancyRoses,

Congrats & welcome to the losers' bench. Sorry you had to go so far to get the job done.

Keep taking it one day at a time.

Hi Kit,

Way to go, girl.  What an inspiration with those pictures.  I remember Diana Lawlor saying, "Just give us one little year".  I had my surgery in August of last year and things are going great. I'm not losing as fast as they wanted me to, but I'm happy that I'm losing.  If it takes me a little longer to get to goal, that is okay too.

Keep up the great work, Kit, and remember One Day at a Time.

Hi,

I think your wait time depends very much on your overall general health as well as your age.  I am in my late fifties with a family history of heart disease and stroke.  I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep apnea as well as arthritis and my wait time from the time I was referred was about 2 1/2 years.  Diana Lawlor explained it to me that the number of comorbidities you have along with your age determines where you will be slotted into the waiting list.  I think what they are trying to do is help people prevent the serious consequences like heart attack and stroke.

You should go to the website for Capital District Health Authority (the bariatric program) and print off a copy of the referral form to take to your doctor.  Once it is filled out he/she can send it in right away.

Hope this sheds some light on the situation.

Hi MissCricket,

You are at the stage where it still seems like a dream, but, have faith, it will happen!  Keep working at it.  If you haven't already gone to the website (Cdha.nshealth.ca) - the obesity network - check out the sample diets there.  They may be of some help to you.
Good luck

Hi Miss Cricket,

Nice to hear from you.  I started reading your blog so keep it going.  Are you on the wait list for surgery?

Hi,

I think Diana was on vacation but she is back now.  I sent her an email almost four weeks ago but just heard back from her yesterday.  She is usually really prompt answering emails.

Hi Valley Mom,

Welcome to the forum.  From the time my referral went in to the time I was actually done (just last week)  it was about 2 1/2 years.  What happens is they take into consideration your age and any health complications you have and that is how they decide where you will be slotted in the queue.  For once my age went in my favor - I'm in my late fifties with sleep apnea, high cholesterol, arthritus, high blood pressure.  For me it was like a dream.  When my referral first went in, I used to just read and read about all the lucky people that were getting it done.  By the way, as long as your BMI is over 40, the surgery is covered by MSI.  Originally I had asked my doctor to write to MSI and see if I could have the lap band done in NB, but MSI said no, that she should refer me to the NS program.

  Once my referral went in, I waited about a month.  Then I emailed Dianna Lawlor (Nurse Practitioner for the program) to confirm that they had received my referral.  I also asked her if she had any idea when I would hear from them.  She told me it would be sometime within the next two years.  So that gave me some idea and some hope for the future.  About 16 months later I was invited to an information session.  At that time I was told I would hear back from them within the year.  I was called to go in to see them in March.  I did not take my WLS binder and I did not have any food logs or exercise logs with me.  They sent me back home and said I wasn't ready.  I was given another appointment for June and told to bring everything with me this time.  I did so and then I just had my surgery last week.

I guess what I'm trying to say is at first it seems like a dream.  But be patient and it will happen.  Perhaps you can email Dianna and confirm that they've received your referral.  Good luck.

Hi Caper Gal,

I just got sleeved on Tuesday of last week.  From what I understand you need to email Dianna to let her know you were done and to give her the appointment time for your follow-up visit.  Also according to what I have been told you need to take your weight loss binder and your food logs and exercise logs with you for all your appointments.  I don't know yet whether you meet with your doctor and Dianna, but I'm assuming that's what happens.

Good luck and check out my email address - we're not far from one another.  Maybe we can get together for tea.