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Surgeon Testimonial

Steven C. Poplawski, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Dr. Poplawski was very friendly, and super happy when we met for our group consult. He seems sincere, and I can tell he enjoys the type of surgery he does. He had a very cheery sense of humour, and sympathized with all of our situations. It's as if he were moridly obese himself! -laughs-

His office staff at the Barix Clinic were non-judgemental and polite. some of them had even gone through the surgery themselves, and spoke one-on-one for additional support.

There isn't much to say that I /don't/ like, but I will tell you one thing about Dr. Poplawski; He doesn't sugar coat anything, and really hates it when people get hung up on small details, such as reverting to open surgery if 'scopic can't be done. I can't say as to blame him though. People should know all the risks involved, and if you're not willing to put up with something small, then perhaps surgery is not for you.

So far, I would rate Dr. Poplawski an 8/10. I wil know more after my surgery goes, of course.

"Doc, you've got a date with my innards!"
-hands them to you, beaming-

-Carleen LeBlanc
BA Psychology, Honours.
Member Interests

Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by Marie R. on 1/16/08 8:29 pm
    Hi Carleen! I wish you all the best with the new you!! Have a speedy recovery so you can get on with your life and enjoy it!! Welcome to the loser's bench! Cheers, Marie
  • Comment by Erin A. on 1/9/08 2:54 pm
    I am thinking of you - you're gonna do GREAT! I have a place on the loser's bench for you right beside me!!! Here's to a textbook surgery and a quick & complication free recovery!!
  • Comment by judyanne on 1/7/08 5:58 pm
    Thursday is your day! Just remember you are on the journey of a lifetime. Try to enjoy every minute. It may sound weird now, but know that you are cared for and prayed for here, and all too soon this will be but a memory and you will be an inspiration to someone else. I am waiting for you on the losers' bench! ~JudyAnne~
Click here for the surgery support page
My name is Carleen. I'm 23 years old, and I live in Southern Ontario.

I successfully had RNY Gastric Bypass on January 10th 2008.

WLS was, and is the best thing that has ever happened to me.





outwit's Blog



My Measurements: Before And After Surgery
on January 26, 2008 9:25 pm
*** This is for my own records, since someone suggested that during plateaus, we still lose inches even though pounds don't necessarily fall off ***

November 2007

Bust: 49'
Waist: 46'
Hips: 57'

Total Inches: 152'
Inches Lost: N/A

The Bodyfat Percentage (BF%) of a 65 inch female with a 14.5 inch neck, a 46 inch waist and 57 inch hips is 62.2%



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December 2007

Bust: 49'
Waist: 46.5'
Hips: 55'

Total Inches: 150.5'
Inches Lost: 1.5'

The Bodyfat Percentage (BF%) of a 65 inch female with a 14.5 inch neck, a 46.5 inch waist and 55 inch hips is 61%

-------------------------------------------

January 2008

Bust: 47.5'
Waist: 44.5'
Hips: 52'

Total Inches: 144'
Inches Lost: 6.5'

The Bodyfat Percentage (BF%) of a 65 inch female with a 14.5 inch neck, a 44.5 inch waist and 52 inch hips is 56.8%


-------------------------------------------

February 2008

Bust: 44'
Waist: 40'
Hips: 47.5'
Total Inches: 131.5'
Inches Lost: 12.5'

The Bodyfat Percentage (BF%) of a 65 inch female with a 14.5 inch neck, a 40 inch waist and 47.5 inch hips is 48.6%


-------------------------------------------

March 2008

Bust: 44'
Waist: 39'
Hips: 47'
Total Inches: 130'
Inches Lost: 1.5'

The Bodyfat Percentage (BF%) of a 65 inch female with a 14.5 inch neck, a  39 inch waist and  47 inch hips is 47.1%

-------------------------------------------

April 2008

Bust: 43'
Waist: 39'
Hips: 47'
Total Inches: 129'
Inches Lost: 1'

The Bodyfat Percentage (BF%) of a 65 inch female with a 14.5 inch neck, a  39 inch waist and 47 inch hips is 47.1%

-------------------------------------------

May 2008

Bust: 41'
Waist: 37'
Hips: 45'
Total Inches: 123'
Inches Lost: 6'

The Bodyfat Percentage (BF%) of a 65 inch female with a 13.5 inch neck, a 37 inch waist and 45 inch hips is 44.1%

-------------------------------------------


June 2008

Bust: 40'
Waist: 36.5'
Hips: 44'
Total Inches: 120.5
Inches Lost: 2.5

The Bodyfat Percentage (BF%) of a 65 inch female with a 13.5 inch neck, a inch 36.5 waist and 44 inch hips is 42.5%

-------------------------------------------
July 2008

Bust: 39'
Waist: 35'
Hips: 43'
Total Inches: 117'
Inches Lost: 3.5
The Bodyfat Percentage (BF%) of a 65 inch female with a 13 inch neck, a 35 inch waist and 43 inch hips is 40.3%


TOTAL INCHES LOST: 29'
TOTAL BODY FAT % DECREASE: 21.9%

Body Fat Calculator
Healthy Weight - 111-150 lbs
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My Steps Taken To Out-Of-Country WLS
on January 26, 2008 7:02 pm
Some folks may have stumbled upon this page and may be wondering how I came to be approved for WLS Surgery outside Canada.

Therefore, here is a brief summary of how I came to be where I am today.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Research! 

Decide if WLS surgery is really for you. It is a LIFE CHANGING experience. Some see it as the 'easy way out', but don't be so easily misled. 

You will still need to eat properly, exercise, and overall manage your health. Find out if you are even eligible for Bariatric Surgery. Ask others who have undergone WLS questions; find out their experiences. I find the best way is to lurk the forums here at ObesityHelp. You'll find almost every answer to any question.

Also, come up with a list of questions about surgery that you may have. Here are some examples:

Will it hurt?
Can I still eat (insert food item here)?
Can I still go swimming/go on Amusement Park Rides?
Will I have to take any kind of supplements for the rest of my life?
What is 'dumping syndrome'

Save these questions and research them. Better yet, if you get a chance to meet with a Bariatric Surgeon, ask as many questions as you need. There IS no stupid question. OFten, they've heard it before and will gladly help.

Another great resource is a local WLS Support Group. There are often several in locations near you, and for me, it was the swift kick in the rear I needed. The support was wonderful, and you get to see LIVING PROOF that these types of surgery are effective.

Once you've decided which surgery is for you, you'll need to go about getting approval if you plan on having surgery outside the country. Most people will ask, "Can I get this surgery in Canada"? Yes, you can, however, wait times are ridiculous. Not only that, but I'm sure some will agree when I say our health system is a 'bit shabby'. It IS a personal choice however. You can decide to have surgery wherever you like. For me, I decided to have my surgery at a clinic that ONLY does Bariatric Surgery.

2. Getting Approval

You'll need an application form. You can print it off here: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/program/ohip/bulletins/4000/bul4459a.pdf

This is THE ONLY FORM YOU NEED TO BE APPROVED FOR SURGERY. (You do NOT have to send any additional paperwork, however, some decide to send pictures, letters, and other pieces of information.)

Take the form to your doctor. He/she will need to pre-approve the surgery. My doctor pre-approved me on the spot. Though I do not have any co-morbidities, I do have a BMI over 40, so I pre-qualify for the surgery. (To find out more about requirements for surgery, ask on the forums)
You mosty likely will have to have a physical and/or bloodwork done by your doctor to confirm any co-morbidities, etc. This may take several doctor's visits, so don't be discouraged.

My doctor then faxed all of my information to OHIP. (He faxed my letter as well as proof of my gym membership)

Two weeks later, I called OHIP To check on the status of my application. It was sent back to my doctor for 'missing information'. The missing information was my height and weight. It can be common for OHIP to send the application back, but as I have been told, this is a good sign. It means that they are seriously considering you for surgery. If they wanted to deny you, you'd be denied. Plain and simple.

It took a month to hear back from OHIP, but I was approved for surgery. This also meant that I was free to go to consultations with surgeons. Consults are covered by OHIP, if there is a fee for doing so.

3. Meeting With A Surgeon

I met with my surgeon in Michigan about two weeks after I was approved for surgery. The consultation is for the surgeon to see if you would be a good candidate for surgery. You will be asked about any previous diets, as well as health history of both you AND your family. The surgeon will also answer questions, and give you a rundown of how the surgery works.

4. Booking A Date And Pre-Tests

A week or so after your consult, someone will call to book your PATs (Pre Admission Tests). The tests last a few hours and are manditory. They will take x-rays, bloodwork, have you sign paperwork, urine tests, gallbladder ultrasounds, etc. It's very painless and is fairly routine. You must pass the tests, or your surgery will be delayed.

Then, if your surgery has not been booked yet, it will be booked again over the phone. They will tell you what you need to do before surgery, such as not eating 6-12 hours beforehand, etc.

5. Surgery Day

You will be admitted an hour or so before surgery. They will dress you in a gown, give you an IV, as well as any medications you need before entering the operating room. It is considered the most stressful time, but staff should work hard to make sure that you are at home and comfortable.

One put under, you won't wake up until a few hours after the surgery.
Waking up is pretty easygoing. If you are feeling pain, they will attend to it immediately. Most of your 2-4 day stay will go by in a blur thanks to pain medication. They will also give you oxygen to make sure you have a smooth recovery.

On the 3rd or 4th day, you will be released. Your surgeon will give you a final look over, some medications, and a package of information to take home. Please do all you can to read it and make sure you follow it to a T for your best interests.

6. Home Life - The First Few Days

The first few days at home will probably be the worst. You'll feel gassy, bloated, and may have some pain. You MUST move around to get rid of gas pain. Try to keep your liquids and protein intake up if nothing else.
Rest, rest, rest. Have someone around to do most of your work for you, such as preparing protein drinks, medicines, bedding, etc.




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Archive

My Story

*** The following was a letter I sent to OHIP along with my application for Out-Of-Country Surgery. I decided to repost it, as it pretty much sums up the past 23 years of my life. ***



My current BMI is 46.3

46.3

This means that I fall into the Exteremly Obese Category, and in Canada, the Obese Class II.

I'm surprised and kind of ashamed to call myself 'obese'. Like most, I wonder how I got this way, and at times, I know how.

I've been big my whole life. I was starting to get chubby in Grades 1 and 2. I remember weighing 120 pounds in Grade 12, 180 pounds in Grade 10, and 202 pounds in Grade 12.

I now fluctuate from anywhere between 265 and 280. The highest I've ever been is 283. I won't let that happen again.

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My Family

I guess the biggest influence so far has been from my family. I was always fed poorly. My family's idea of protein and vegetables were hot dogs and mashed potatoes. I remember being about 5 or 6, and eating off the same size plate as an adult. I didn't know any better. This was how I was raised. I was an only child, and I'm not even sure my parents knew what they were doing. It's easy to stuff a kid full of food if you're not sure how much they should eat.

It passed on to me, and at the age of 7 and 8, I was learning how to cook on the stove at home when my parents would leave every day. My favourite was buttered noodles.

In high school, I remember my parents giving me large bowls of Hamburger Helper, Maple Flavoured Beans and Kraft Dinner. I was lucky to ever get a salad. My parents idea for breakfast was a small container of Yogurt, and I rarely went to school with lunch. I would just gorge at home on large dinners.

Mom was never a big help. While both of my parents were concerned about my weight, mom was contributing greatly to it. My dad would never let me eat junk. Mom would sneak me junk food, and I would keep it in a drawer, or in my pillowcase. I'd often eat 4-5 chocolate bars at a time. She snuck all sorts of things, from marshmllows and Nestle Quik to gum and licorice. I actually anticipated these *secret snacks. I'd wait for mom to come home, sneak over to my room and toss me the delicacy of the day.

*(I now live on my own, and believe it or not, I rarely binge on sugary snacks anymore. I think I've mostly broken that habit.)

Dad was awful. He used to bother me about my weight from about 13 on. I don't blame him. What else IS a parent to do when their child is getting obese? We were never an active family. I don't think I've ever seen my father walk down the STREET. Therefore, exercise SURELY wasn't the problem. Bickering is easier from an armchair.

He'd say things like:

"Are you watching that weight?"
"You better lose that or no employer will want to hire you."
"She doesn't need that (random snack). She's gotta watch her weight."

Those comments still pop up even years later, albeit less often, and since dad knows I go to the gym on a regular basis, he's somewhat supportive. He saw me walking down the street the other day and was 'proud' that I was keeping an eye on my weight.

Dad is not fit himself. He is manic depressive, has high blood pressure, has had problems with alcohol in the past, and is now obese. If you ask ME, it seems like he should be swallowing his own advice. What's worse, dad's eating is out of control. He'll often chow down on 12 slices of bread, 6 eggs and a pile of meat for dinner. Mom swears he's going to have a heart attack. I think he needs the wake up call.

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After High School

I moved out when I was 19. It was awesome. I got my own apartment, and a job soon after (keep in mind it was the apt. above my parent's unit).

My eating habits weren't as bad as they were, since I now could buy fruits and vegetables. I loved to drink water, and often had 8 or more bottles a day. I even got up to drinking 1 litre bottles in one sitting. I can really pack it away. The only thing now that wasn't in check was when I was eating, and how much of it. Since dad wasn't around, I could eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. Even snacks! I was still eating off of the platters and oversized bowls I had been given when I moved. A year or so after, I bought smaller bowls, cups and plates. I now eat cereal out of a small bowl.

I went to Brock University for two years. I put on a significant amount of weight there. Most folks would call it the Freshman 15. I call it the Freshman 1500. It was awful. There was food EVERYWHERE. In every wing of the place. Even across the streets! When you need to study, you eat. When you're hanging out with friends, you eat. When you're taking the bus home, you eat. You eat! I almost wonder if the cost of my education was for food and not for schooling!

When I left Brock, I didn't lose any of the extra weight.

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The Past Three Years

I have to admit, that when I moved out on my own, I started to make solid efforts to lose weight. I tried exercise routines, dancing, walking, badminton, even joining two different gyms.

I bought an exercise bike (and USED it). I even learned how to swim.

I changed my eating habits, and still try stick to them. I eat whole grain breads and fruits and vegetables, and yes, lean meats and dairy products.

I even tried the Cabbage Soup diet. (I actually LIKE the soup).

I've tried over the counter weight loss pills, vitamins, creams.
I've tried prescription medications.

All to no real avail.

The only thing that has made me lose weight, is working out at the gym on a regular basis and eating healthier foods.

BUT...

And here's where the shoe drops. Last year I lost almost 38 pounds through diet and exercise. Unfortunately, winter came and so did my appetite. I gained some of the weight back.

My problem isn't diet. It's not exercise. It's not genetic either. None of my family (other than my father) is obese.

My problem is the AMOUNT of food I can eat. I can eat a LOT of food.

I can eat about 1/4-1/2 of a bag of pasta. 
I can eat 4-6 yoguts in one sitting. 
A whole container of cottage cheese.
An entire Medium Pizza Hut Pizza. 
A tub of Ben and Jerrys.
4 or more Pizza Pops.

Now, keep in mind I tend to binge on the unhealthy foods. I don't binge on carrots or apples. I don't think most people do.

I think there's a few factors here. When there is unhealthy food in the house, I eat it till it's gone. Almost like I WANT to get rid of it. At times, I can't help myself. I have NO willlpower. I know WHAT to eat and how much of it I SHOULD. I know all about moderation.

It's actually doing it. I can't. EVERY time I try to fix the problem, it gets worse.

This is why I want weight loss surgery. Not so I can eat whatever I want, whenever I want. That's garbage. I need to RESTRICT the amount of food I CAN eat. That way, if I DO fall upon a poor food choice in the day, it won't set back my good efforts.

I feel by having my stomach restricted, and with my regular exercise, I'll be able to control my weight for life.

 


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