Guelph

Jan 15, 2011

Once I got to Guelph I had already been waiting 2 full years.  I was extremely frustrated with the process.  I had fallen in every crack in the system since 2008.  I saw the nurse, NUT, and social worker on my first visit.  I was told that if you are "ready" you will only need to see dietician, social worker and nurse 2 times.  I was ready--my weight was 262.  I had trouble with my feet, legs and ankles.  I was short of breath with any activity.  I had to stop doing water aerobics because I had trouble getting out of the pool and my chafing was out of hand.  I had hoped that I would be able to have a vsg because I took nsaids regularily.  The rules changed in Oct--OHIP started cracking down on Drs that did vsg on pts unless a rny was contraindicated.  I guess OHIP started auditing the charts of ALL pts that had a vsg.  The "gold standard" is an rny so thats the procedure covered by OHIP.  The whole thing was taking too long so I called about a lapband.  The sales person was great and said I could have it done the next week.  So I booked it--out of sheer desperation.  I put $15, 000 on my visa.  That was THanksgiving.  I knew that was a complete mistake so I had a 2 month fight to get my money back.   My next plan was to go to Mexico.  I was so frustrated.  I spent so much time waiting I reached my limit.  It was all tempered by knowing I had already done the wait--why should I pay.  I got a 2 week punishment from the NUT because I told the truth that I ate lucky charms 3 nights in a row.  I told the truth.  Seriously, people that are over 250 lbs eat the wrong stuff all of the time.  I was punished because I told the truth.  NEVER again.  I learned that these people are not there to help me.  I was so angry.  I was to do a food/mood journal to help me figure out my triggers.  The really annoying part was the reason the NUT was quick to stall me was because she felt that the other NUT didn't go over the same info she would have.  Not my problem.  When I would bitch to the nurse, she would say to be patient because I've only been waiting since May.  I was IRATE!  I have been waiting since May 2008.  I was in a different line--my stuff was screwed up fro the get go. 

When I saw the DR--she said no vsg.  We talked about the nsaids she said I should take narcotics.  What?! Narcotics?  I still agreed to a rny and bought my optifast.  I was very uncomfortable with taking narcotics.  I am a RN and I work in a busy Pediatric intensive care unit.  Narcotics are not an option.  I called back and talked to the nurse she pulled the plug on everything.  I had to see the Dr again.  Still no vsg.  RNY or nothing.  In the interim I contacted my mpp and a Dr in Montreal.  I had all my info.  I decided if she stuck to rny or nothing I would go to Montreal and submit the bill to OHIP and fight for reimbursement.  When I saw her--she did not blow me off ; she really looked into it and still said no.  I gave up and said yes to the RNY.  It was done Jan5, 2011. Now the journey begins!
0 comments

My Story

Jan 15, 2011

Hi,
My story is very typical.....I was a normal weight until I started having kids, then after my 1st child I got chubby.  I was never able to lose the weight after having my first in 1992.Every year I gained more.  I was very careful to be "healthy" because my husband and I had fertility trouble.  I was on fertility meds off and on for 10 years.  We were blessed with 3 children 1992, 1998 and 2005.  I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2007 the fertilty issues would have been resolved if I would have had my diagnosis before I had my last child.  I have always been trying to lose weight.  I've tried so many pills and potions, gym memberships, exercise tapes you name it--I tried it. I never once lost weight that stayed off.  I would lose 15- 20 pounds, then gain it all back.  When my weight was 228 I decided I would look into wls.  I went to an information session in June 2008.  I asked my Dr to do the paperwork for OHIP.  The application was sent in Sept. 2008.  It came back denied because "weightloss surgery is becoming more accessible to people in Ontario".  My Dr referred me to Hamilton Oct 2008.  I half heartedly planned on going through with the surgery...I planned to lose the weight before my turn came up.  Jan 2009 I called Hamilton--they do not talk to patients.  My dr referred me to Hamilton June, Sept and October 2009.  November 2009 he referred me to Windsor.  My beloved Grandmother got sick Dec 28, 2009 and was hospitalized.  My middle son is a type 1 diabetic and began having seizures.  My husband became unhinged.  I put wls on the back burner.  My weight was 252.  My dear Grandmother passed away Feb 11, 2010.  She was the last member of my family--both of my parents passed my mom when I was 19 and my dad when I was 34. When Nana died I felt  and feel so alone.  I always remember that I was blessed to have had her for 41 years.   Windsor called mid Feb and I said thatnk you, but Hamilton will call me any minute--how could they not.....I had 4 referrals in to them.  In April I called the patient advocate since I had been waiting so long.   Hamilton called me back--the first time in almost 2 years!! The lady said,"We were never going to call you because we sent your file to Windsor.  You would think Windsor could have told me that!!!! I went to Windsor for orientation in May 2010.  I was transferred to Guelph...I got in on a cancellation in May.
0 comments

About Me
43.9
BMI
RNY
Surgery
01/05/2011
Surgery Date
Sep 21, 2010
Member Since

Friends 12

Latest Blog 2

×