WLS class today - Ottawa

Thanks so much Sue! I am excited too!! Starting to be a little nervous but still mostly excited. I think the balance might tip the closer I get though!

Hi Jennifer,

I'm glad you liked the book, as you will use it as reference for quite a while (I still do).  I was there for my 3 month follow up with Aspen so I saw everyone there waiting for the class.  I should have been looking for people from the site to say Hi to, but didn't think of it, sorry.

As for it being rushed, it's not all the nutritionist's and behaviourist's fault.  They allow time for people like yourself to ask questions.  As you saw there are people there with a vast range of knowledge on the subject.  Some who don't know anything, to those who are relatively prepared (but always could use some extra info).  I was in the latter group as I had been talking to people for a while before I hit class.  Actually, one of the people in my class, were due to get a sleeve done (due to his meds), and was already on optifast.  Some people just want everything handed to them, and not do any work themselves.  That's the sad truth.

I wish you luck on your journey.

Cathy,

P.S.  They used to do the class over multiple classes at night, I don't know if more information was given in those, of if it was a similar outcome.

Hello,
I am new to this forum and I have my appointment/class in Ottawa tomorrow.  I'm a little worried that I won't be considered for the surgery but I'm hopeful that I fit the bill.  I have done my homework and know the procedure, and I know 2 people that have had it done and have seen what they have gone through.  My current BMI is 38 and I have sleep apnea.  Does anybody know more about how they determine if you can have the surgery?

I'm at the Guelph clinic but we were told that the cut off was a BMI of 40, or 35 with comorbidities (diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apena).  Hope this helps!  Sandy P.

Hello Fleeter and welcome aboard. Your question is very common and you will get a lot of inforamtion on this site to help you out.  I would suggest, however, that you post this as a separate thread as a lot of people may not see it here in Sirene's thread about the education class.  Before you post out there, take the time to read through old posts and use the search function in top right corner of your screen to help you figure out what info is already here for you.



 

I agree with you about feeling rushed through the class.  And I was also very surprised at the general lack of knowledge and preparation by many of the people who were there.  Then again, I tend to be a bit excessive when it comes to knowledge; I researched WLS for nearly 6 months before I even decided to seek a referral, then continued to research it continuously for the year and a half that I waited for surgery.

I was very fortunate that the doc *****ferred me also told me about OH.  I lurked on the site for a long time prior to surgery but didn't post until after my RNY.  My lurking really helped to prepare me for both the process and the post-WLS lifestyle.  I feel very sorry for people who expect this to be a quick fix, who think that they will eat what they want and sit around on their a$$es after surgery and will lose weight without effort.  But the hospital (Ottawa, anyways) does mention OH in the initial info session, so I think some people choose ignorance rather than making the effort to become informed.

Ottawa's in-hospital care is excellent, as is their aftercare (in my experience).  You have so much to look forward to.  Let us know when you get a date, Sirene!

I experienced the exact same things at my meetings as well. I find it hard to believe ppl are going through this process with out hardly any knowledge. It makes me very grateful that I had a few great friends that share thier WLS experience with me, a great angel  and of course OH!! 

Thanks for the update Jennifer.  I am waiting for my class to be scheduled and like hearing about what I can expect.  This is a huge life altering process and I find it a little sad/shocking if people are not completely informed. 

I have a different issue that I've been contemplating.  As someone who has taken the time to educate myself on the process, I am a little bit concerned that there doesn't really seem to be a more in depth approach from WMC in screening candidates or investigating peoples suitability for the surgery.  Yes, we see a nutritionist and a behaviourist and in some cases some people have a battery of tests. However, I wonder if there shouldn't be more done.  This may be sparked by my fears of complications and maybe more isn't required.  I'm not sure.  Just my two cents and a look at the other side of the coin.

I made a very similar post in February after my orientation class.  At that point, in order to even get to orientation, you had been on the list for almost a year and yet here were all these people who had spent that year doing absolutely nothing to inform themselves about this surgery.  I was very angry because all I could think in my head was "if you aren't going to try to learn or help yourself at even this early stage, get out of my way...I am ready and I shouldn't have to wait what could very realistically be a lifetime because you are ahead of me!"  Fortunately, that was only the inside-my-head voice.

The idea that this problem still remains by the time you are at the pre-surgical education class is almost mindboggling.  My class was not very long before my surgery (couple months maybe?)  I couldn't imagine being that ignorant about what I was consenting to or being even close to prepared mentally if I hadn't started long before that.

This certainly highlights the value of this forum.  Frustratingly, the clinic seems very lukewarm in their support if you mention the forum to them.  The response is "take it with a grain of salt".  I do understand that from one perspective as some folks can be pretty cavalier in giving out medical advice here, but you certainly can't discount the fact that at least being here gives you enough info that you know what questions to ask.

I too was surprised at how many people didn't know what they were getting into.  It was very very scary.  One lady didn't even know why she was there- she showed up b/c her dr. had referred her and it was a complete surprise to her that she was there for surgery.  She was mad and then stormed out of the office.  I just don't get people- this is your health, the most important thing you have!