Newbie Question
Hey everyone, I am brand new to all this, my referral was just sent last week. Can anyone just give me a heads up on what i should expect? I know this is going to be a long process but if i just have some knowledge on the order things happen that would be awesome!
And also...how come it takes longer for some to go through the process before surgery then others. It looks like it ranges from 6 months to 1.5 years.
Just curious!
I am super excited to get talking about this!!!
Thanks all!
Steffie
And also...how come it takes longer for some to go through the process before surgery then others. It looks like it ranges from 6 months to 1.5 years.
Just curious!
I am super excited to get talking about this!!!
Thanks all!
Steffie
Your referral will be sent by the bariatric registry to the centre nearest you, and from there, the process differs from place to place. In varying order, you will generally be asked to fill out a questionairre, attend an orientation, a surgical education and nutrition class, to meet your surgeon, to meet with a dietician and a social worker and/or psychologist. Once the surgeon, nutritionist & social worker give you a green light to proceed, You will meet with an internist to do some tests, attend PATTs (pre-admission training & testing) where you will meet with a nurse, your anaesthesiologist, do more tests, then you will do a pre-surgical liquid diet for 2-6 weeks before your surgery.
Also, there maybe additional work depending on your personal medical profile. You may need a sleep study to assess you for apnea, an h pylori test, ultrasound or gastric scope, may need repeat visits to a nutritionist or dietician, may need to get sign off from your existing health team, may need to follow a eating plan for a while, or see a psychologist.
Timing varies from centre to centre depending on work load, the number of appointsments you will need, etc. These days average wit time from first referral to surgery is about 12-14 months.
Suggest to you helpful reading to get started: WLS for Dummies, Women Food & God by Geneen Roth, Mindful Eating by Susan Albers. You may want to work with your MD to get a sleep study done while you wait so you can eliminate that wait later in the process. You also might consider journalling your eating now to get you working on the process... journal not just what you eat (absolutely everything) but when you eat it, how you were physically and emotionally feeling when you ate it, how hungry you were and how you felt after eating it. It will help you get ahead of the game for your journey. They journey starts at referral, not at surgery. :)
Best of luck!
~Mo
Also, there maybe additional work depending on your personal medical profile. You may need a sleep study to assess you for apnea, an h pylori test, ultrasound or gastric scope, may need repeat visits to a nutritionist or dietician, may need to get sign off from your existing health team, may need to follow a eating plan for a while, or see a psychologist.
Timing varies from centre to centre depending on work load, the number of appointsments you will need, etc. These days average wit time from first referral to surgery is about 12-14 months.
Suggest to you helpful reading to get started: WLS for Dummies, Women Food & God by Geneen Roth, Mindful Eating by Susan Albers. You may want to work with your MD to get a sleep study done while you wait so you can eliminate that wait later in the process. You also might consider journalling your eating now to get you working on the process... journal not just what you eat (absolutely everything) but when you eat it, how you were physically and emotionally feeling when you ate it, how hungry you were and how you felt after eating it. It will help you get ahead of the game for your journey. They journey starts at referral, not at surgery. :)
Best of luck!
~Mo
Thank you so much! I will definitely look into those books and start tracking...anything to help the process move quicker.
I'm pretty lucky in respect that I have minimal underlying conditions: no diebeties , heart issues...etc.....yet. But that's the road I'm heading down,,,,hence why I am here now. Thanks again for your reply i really do apprecicate it.
I'm pretty lucky in respect that I have minimal underlying conditions: no diebeties , heart issues...etc.....yet. But that's the road I'm heading down,,,,hence why I am here now. Thanks again for your reply i really do apprecicate it.
I am new as well,I just had my orientation and filled out the papers..Now just waiting for my nurse consult..
I don't blame you one bit about being excited as I am too,I cannot wait for the new me to come into effect..The wait time is average to about 12-14 months and some times the most sever cases come ahead of you or could be delayed depending on the problem..
Definitely start food journaling,what you eat and when..Prepare yourself reasearch,reasearch..I cannot tell you how many times I have thought about opting out of this with all the complications..I rather be healthy and skinny..This tool will help me get there,and with the dieticians I can better prepare myself!!
I don't blame you one bit about being excited as I am too,I cannot wait for the new me to come into effect..The wait time is average to about 12-14 months and some times the most sever cases come ahead of you or could be delayed depending on the problem..
Definitely start food journaling,what you eat and when..Prepare yourself reasearch,reasearch..I cannot tell you how many times I have thought about opting out of this with all the complications..I rather be healthy and skinny..This tool will help me get there,and with the dieticians I can better prepare myself!!
so exciting to be at the beginning stages.
Try not to get discouraged with the wait times. it is what it is. Complaining about it won't get you anywhere. Once you do start hearing about your appointments, be super polite to the ladies on the phone, make your self available for cancellations, etc.
Tracking your intake and excercise is an awesome way to start, it gets you in the habit of what will be an invaluable tool for you as you go through the process.
Don't sweat it. You'll be fine. As long as you meet the physical criteria for the surgery, and you demonstrate that you're willing to work with the team, and be successful at the surgery, you'll sail through this.
Learn as much as you can now. Ask questions, there are no stupid questions. Use this forum as a support. Find a support group in your area, that will help too.
Who knows why some people take longer than others. There are so many factors. Obviously, people with risky health issues may go for surgery sooner. There are some who are able to take appointments at the drop of a hat, others have work or family issues which mean they can't. Sometimes referrals get lost, information gets misplaced, etc, which means that you don't get called for some appointment. You've got to keep on top of that, without being annoying to the scheduling staff.
Best of luck!!!
Mon
Try not to get discouraged with the wait times. it is what it is. Complaining about it won't get you anywhere. Once you do start hearing about your appointments, be super polite to the ladies on the phone, make your self available for cancellations, etc.
Tracking your intake and excercise is an awesome way to start, it gets you in the habit of what will be an invaluable tool for you as you go through the process.
Don't sweat it. You'll be fine. As long as you meet the physical criteria for the surgery, and you demonstrate that you're willing to work with the team, and be successful at the surgery, you'll sail through this.
Learn as much as you can now. Ask questions, there are no stupid questions. Use this forum as a support. Find a support group in your area, that will help too.
Who knows why some people take longer than others. There are so many factors. Obviously, people with risky health issues may go for surgery sooner. There are some who are able to take appointments at the drop of a hat, others have work or family issues which mean they can't. Sometimes referrals get lost, information gets misplaced, etc, which means that you don't get called for some appointment. You've got to keep on top of that, without being annoying to the scheduling staff.
Best of luck!!!
Mon
Most Active
Recent Topics
