Orientation: What to expect?

Oh ok, are you going to the same hospital as me? Toronto Western? Maybe you could tell me what happens at the orentation? Im like you, I need to know details and stuff before hand lol. If you don't want to thats cool.

 Yes, I will be going to TWH.  I can certainly fill you in.

Thankfully my dad will be taking me.  Not sure he'll go in, but who knows.

That would be great :) Thanks! My mom will be coming into the orentation with me, I called and asked if we were able to bring someone and they said yes. Good luck tomorrow, hope you get some more appointments.

 Hey Chantal,

First I'll give you a tip on finding the room, as I had difficulty and made a few trips the wrong way.  Got some exercise in, which was nice, but if I attempted this back in 2009 I'd have collapsed.

They likely told you to take the South Elevators.  You will want to go west when you get off the elevator and go straight.  It will be the first door on the left (across from a bathroom).

A lady (I unfortunately forget her name...so terrible with names), will then give you a form to fill out with basic information (name, address, doctor, next of kin, Health Card number), and you will also receive a folder with the information in the powerpoint presentation and several information packets you will have to fill out and bring with you to your nurse appointment.

One of the social workers (in my case Jairo Ortiz) did the presentation, which was not bad.  My only concern with it was that they did not make mention of all surgical options and I feel people should be informed of all available options regardless of whether they are done locally or not.

During the break the other social worker handed out the sheet that had our nurse appointment and social worker appointment.  In my case: Nurse - June 27th, Social Worker - August 31st.

There were nine individuals at the orientation session I was at, three of them brought someone with them.  At least five of us were from Oshawa that I know of, which we found interesting.  I had a nice chat with the mother of fellow sitting in front of me and told her about my success thus far with my VSG.  I told her what my plans were regarding a second surgery when she asked.  She then went on to say I was very gorgeous.  I thanked her, although I felt odd when she had said that.  I'm not used to such compliments.  Earlier in the day my step-mom had said the same thing, heh.

Not many questions were asked after the presnetation.  I then waited until pretty much everyone had left and took a few minutes to speak with Jairo (one of the social workers) about my concerns.  Due to the fact I am pursuing a revision to a Duodenal Switch, I asked if he had any knowledge on the stance TWH or any of the RATC's have on that particular surgery.  I filled him in on my VSG, weight loss, etc.  He told me to speak witht he nurse I will be seeing at the end of June and see if one of the surgeons can be present at the appointment so I can speak with him about the DS.

They do not do the DS in Ontario, and I told him I did not want to waste TWH's or my own time going through this process if it would just be a deadend.

Will be calling on Monday to see what I can find out.

Also, if you are driving in, expect to pay at least $28 for parking.

Hello. Thank you so much for the info, it makes me feel so much better knowing the details. The nurse did tell me south, so thanks for clearing that up lol! I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know how it all went, helps with my anxiety alot. Ill a small town girl, but ill be in Brampton for a few days before the orientation, so Ill be taking the Go train for the first time. So im sure my whole day will be an adventure lol!!

Thanks J

 No problem at all.

And I just wanted to clarify how to find the room as there is not signage (that I could see) that indicated anything relating to the bariatric program.  Had it not been for me coming back to the south elevators at just the right time to see the fellow and his mom (whom I ended up sitting behind) being directed by a nurse I would have been wandering around for who knows how much longer.

I spent most of my life residing in the tiny hamlet of Blackstock.  Not really out of the way, but it only had two convenience stores.  I only moved away due to lack of high speed internet, lol.

Good luck with your orientation session!

Hahaha!! No high speed? RUN! 

Thanks for the tips. I would be so frustrated if I got lost, and I get lost... alot. I will ask all the nurses I see for directions aswell lol! Im like thank haha! So this orientation is for everyone considering WLS? Im hoping to get RNY gastric bypass :s .. so scary!  

 Yes, it is for everyone who has submitted a referral to the bariatric surgery registry.

And they really only go over the RNY.  The only other surgery that is mentioned (although not really explained) is the lap-band, which of course is not covered by OHIP.

The types of surgeries available can be quite the politically correct issue.  After years of research (I started just before my 18th birthday), and speaking with people who had them all I opted for the DS simply due to the fact it was the right one in my mind for my lifestyle.

When I speak with family, friends or people I don't know about WLS I do not push the DS.  I simply state in no particular order what the options are, the differences, etc.  A family friend is considering surgery, however she knows her family doctor will never support it, and so she is content to sit on the fence and look at the greener grass on the other side.  I feel for her, but I said don't let the dick (he really is one...had him while my family doctor went back for further schooling many years ago), as there are alternatives to using him for this.