Recent Posts
Hi there Everyone,
I have finally completed my Five year planned weight loss journey!! Completed in 4 years, 2 months!!
I joined the Weight Wise Program in Edmonton in May of 2009, lost 108 lbs before RNY surgery date of Aug 2010. Lost an additional 114 lbs within 6 months of surgery, then had to wait until I was at a stable weight for 18 months to have a Panniculectomy.
Had a Modified Panniculectomy on April 2 2013. Surgeon took off 8.75 lbs of extra skin (yipee!!!!)
Now a couple of months later, I'm completely finished with my journey. I will not have any other surgeries to remove extra skin... it doesn't bother me... the belly was a huge problem though and had to go... I was getting very large ulcers under the skin apron.... such painful things...
So in total, I've lost 230 lbs. I started at 388 lbs and now have dropped to approximately 155 - 160 lbs. My weight fluctuates by 3-4 lbs throughout the day... so my goal weight is between 155 - 160 lbs... (works for me!!!! lol)
I have a lifestyle diet that works with most of my family. Although I have to admit to a young adult son that eats enough for two.... (he'll learn - still too young.. ) I exercise on a daily basis..... 1/2 hour to 1 hour.... love to play soccer with the neighborhood kids.... they even got me onto a skateboard!!!! What a BLAST!!!! Playing baseball again is absolutely AWESOME!!! I have only a slight problem in playing sports.... I have to wear tight Spandex down to my knees....All the extra skin has it's own motion when I run... a delayed reaction of sorts... it hurts when the skin is slapping up and down with the running motion so I wear tight Spandex to hold it in place... much more comfortable... :)
I don't have to count every calorie or even really pay attention to the ingredients lists... I eat what I want.... I do have what I call 'brain filters'... and use them all the time... those are the filters that tell me .... "wait.. huge calories.".. or "do you really HAVE to have that? " Most times I have a little bit of anything I like... I've never been a Sweet eater.. so when cake is offered, and I'm interested, a small bite is very sufficient for me.... a small taste... I enjoy ever minute of the taste and I'm satisfied... totally weird... I really watch my portion control... and the signs from my body that scream at me.... too full is too DAMN full.... :) (munchies are NEVER allowed to live in my pantry EVER) My family is allowed to have them... but must buy them and consume them privately... sounds terrible but I know my own weaknesses.
I eat about 1300 -1400 calories every day (as an average) it's spread out all day long... 3 meals and 3 snacks... but I exercise every day as well.... it's a balance that I don't have to work hard at and it's easy to eat healthy.. especially with my 'brain filters'...
My life is well and truly on the right track to being healthy into old age.. Before Weight Wise, I was on 5 difference meds and 2 types on insulin for Type 2 Diabetes, 2 different meds for high blood pressure, and meds for High Colesterol as well as Blood Thinners. Well now I still have the blood thinners but everything else is GONE!!! No more Diabetes!!!! I have to be careful of low blood sugars when I can't eat on my regular schedule... but have never had a high Sugar reading since surgery.... Totally WOW!!
Anyway, I just wanted to give an update... for the first time in my 48 years of life... I'm considered 'Normal'... too weird...also first time to have a flat tummy... he he he... I love it all....
I can only say a huge Thank you to all of the staff at the Weight Wise Clinic for their support and advice... they definitely helped me make my journey happen...
Good Luck to everyone on your individual journeys, I wish you all of the success that I've had.
Melody
Thanks so much for posting this thread--it's good to have a clearer idea of wait times. My first appointment was in October, 2012. I arrived having already completed all of the WW modules and well into my weight loss journey. By the time all was said and done I was approved for the VSG in April, 2013. The staff and doctor indicated an approximate nine month wait. There have been two additional sessions I've attended since and been told that a new one is being developed. If I understood correctly, this will begin this fall.
In some ways the wait seems forever yet in other ways the time passes quickly. Some days I get discouraged and feel like tossing everything aside but for the most part stick to using my pedometer and "My Fitness Pal." I've done so well up til now, though, that by the time my date comes up I may be nearly at my goal weight. That would be a nice problem to have.
I also wanted to share some thoughts of Dr. de Gara, who is one of the few bariatric surgeons in Edmonton:
The primary bariatric surgery performed at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton through Weight Wise Clinic Alberta Health Services is safe. There were no deaths in years, anastomotic leak rates are almost non-existent, hospital lengths of stay are 2-3 days and our performance fall within the American College of Surgeons Centre of Excellence criteria.
There is no doubt that bariatric surgery can be performed safely abroad. But the problem for Alberta is who should look after those in whom the operation didn't go so well, who is doing the rigorous screening preoperatively (to achieve the highest chance of success), who is doing the rigorous post operative care to ensure that goals are achieved and diet and lifestyle monitored? Are those who choose to go abroad for surgery queue jumping?
Yes I had my surgery in April. I am feeling great and am losing weight like crazy.
Thanks Amanda! Have you already had your surgery? How are things going for you?
Take care. :)
I am in the Edmonton clinic but I was allowed to eat Celery if I was really craving the chewing. The liquid diet is not as bad as I thought it would be. After the first couple of days I was not even hungry.
Kelly-Anne
Highest 303.4, Surgery 263, Current 217.8, Goal 180
I am having the sleeve done in Calgary in a few weeks and am wondering about the presurgical diet. I believe my surgeon told me that I could have some steamed veggies in addition to the 5 ensures per day but last night I went to a pre-surgical meeting with the dietician and she said that the protocol is NOTHING to eat besides the 5 ensures but I am quite certain that he told me that I could also have some steamed veggies ( a bit and very specific veggies).
Can anyone in Calgary who has had the sleeve comment on this? Just curious if you've been told different things, too? I will likely put a call into my surgeon to double check.
Getting excited but also a little scared. I hope the two weeks of liquids only, presurgery, will go quickly! However a small price to pay to get my life back again.
Any feedback at all would be sooooo apppreciated.
Edmonton has an active program and accepts out of province patients, but once again, no guarantee of being approved for surgery - and the wait times just got longer.
While it's definitely worthwhile to get your doctor to refer you for either (or both) you may want to seriously consider your self-pay options as well. Yes, it costs a chunk, (about $10,000, including flights, for the surgeon my husband, our daughter and I went to) but if you do your research, educate yourself about eating properly after surgery, get your aftercare lined up, and determine to succeed, it can be a great option. Being able to book your surgery 2-4 weeks from the time you have your ducks in a row is worthwhile, too.
I fretted about spending so much money (and paying for all 3 of us pretty much killed our savings account) but my husband put it into perspective,"Amortised over the next 25 years of better health it's around a buck a day per person - a bargain!"
I'm saving more than that on groceries and prescription drugs, our GP is great about aftercare, and we've had no problems at all other than me having a low grade UTI a month out - undoubtedly because I wasn't drinking enough. When looking at surgeons don't bargain hunt - your health is valuable. Look for one with excellent reviews, low complication rates, a hospital setting rather than a clinic or surgical centre, and a willingness to talk with your GP. My surgeon sent me home with copies of all test results and a formal surgical report for my GP. (Which you'll need to apply for a refund from BC Medical)
If your GP is willing to write a letter of medical necessity you can get part of the surgical costs repaid by BC medical (it's simpler here in Alberta) and the rest of the costs, including flights for you and your support person, are tax deductible.
Kelly-Anne
Highest 303.4, Surgery 263, Current 217.8, Goal 180
Kathy S. · 0 replies · 1118 views
