New here and saying Hello!
Hello, I just wanted to wave hello and introduce myself. I'm from Windsor, ON and just asked my GP yesterday for a referral to the bariatric program. The journey begins! I I was always looking at self pay WLS in Mexico and I had no idea OHIP would cover it until my friend/co-worker told me about the Bariatric program. She just had the surgery a few months ago and has been doing so good.
I think I will most likely choose Guelph for the surgery as I used to live there and its closer than TO. Also from what I have been reading here they have more funding so the wait times are better possibly? I've been lurking here for the past couple of months and I have learned so much from all of you so thank you!
I'll give you a quick snapshot of me as well. I'm 29 years old and have been married for 6 years. My hubby and I both work full time in insurance. After unsuccessfully trying to get pregnant for 3 years I went to see a Fertility Specialist and was diagnosed with PCOS. I have tried numerous diet/exercise programs with no success. I would just lose and gain the same 10 pounds over and over while my weight would steadily creep up over the years. The fertility specialist put me on Metformin which is supposed to help with insulin resistance which would help with weight loss but I have not lost any weight with it. My GP says that Metformin doesn't work and just to avoid all carbs. It's frustrating getting conflicting opinions on treatment. I peaked at my highest weight of 296 a couple of months and I'm 5"7 so that put my BMI at 45. I'm willing to put pregnancy on hold while I go down the road of WLS because getting pregnant at this weight would not be healthy for me or baby.
My husband is very supportive of my decision to have WLS. So far only him and my friend who has had it done know about it. I will tell my family eventually but my Mom is a worrier so I will wait until its closer to actually happening. I'm sure I will have lots of newbie questions along the way for everyone. I am so glad I found this board though, everyone seems so nice and supportive!!
Hello and welcome, RenaDawn!! We are so glad you stumbled upon us! This is a great group of people who will help you every step of the way. They are compassionate, but will tell it like it is to help keep you in check. So glad to have you on board. Congratulations on the beginning of your journey and best of luck!
Amanda
P.s... Guelph has a zero tolerance policy for weight gain. If you think you might have difficulty maintaining or losing weight (which I think most of us do) during the 8-12 month process, Guelph might not be the best center for you. I'm not 100% positive, but I believe coming from out of town, you would go to Humber River here in Toronto. It is a center of excellence and seems to have relatively quick wait times. There is nothing but positive feedback on that hospital, but I have seen some negatives written about the program at Guelph. Talk to the people on here and do your own independent research to find the center that is best for you. :)
Referral to Bariatric Program at TWH: 08/09/11 Orientation at TWH: 08/17/11 Nurse Practitioner: 10/12/11
Social Worker: 12/02/11 Nutrition Class: 12/21/11 Nutrition Assessment: 01/26/12
Psycho-Social Assessment: 05/31/12 Meet Dr. Penner (TWH) 11/30/12 Pre-Admission: 12/10/12
Surgery Date: January 10, 2013
For more information on the Midtown Toronto Walking Club, please click here.
welcome. Unfortunately you will not be able to choose what Centre you go through because it is based on your postal code. You can go here and enter your postal code to find out what center you will be referred to, though. http://www.bariatricregistry.ca/Ontario%20Bariatric%20Regist ry%20Referral%20Search.aspx
Not entirely true... many people, including myself, have requested and received transfers. 
Referral to Bariatric Program at TWH: 08/09/11 Orientation at TWH: 08/17/11 Nurse Practitioner: 10/12/11
Social Worker: 12/02/11 Nutrition Class: 12/21/11 Nutrition Assessment: 01/26/12
Psycho-Social Assessment: 05/31/12 Meet Dr. Penner (TWH) 11/30/12 Pre-Admission: 12/10/12
Surgery Date: January 10, 2013
For more information on the Midtown Toronto Walking Club, please click here.
Windsor patients choose between Guelph and Toronto.
17+ years post op RNY. first year blog here or My LongTimer blog. Tummy Tuck Dr. Matic 2014 -Ohip funded panni
Windsor WLS support group.message me anytime!
HW:290 LW:139 RW: 167 CW: 139
on 3/20/13 3:54 am - Canada
I'm really new to all of this as well. I live in London and was referred to TWH. I've had my orientation and have my SW app booked for May and my NP app in June through Teleheath so I don't have to make the 2 hour drive.
Best of luck to you on your journey. I too have found everyone's advice especially helpful. It's nice to hear from people who are going through the same challenges and get advice from people who have been through it already!!!
Karen
