Brand New to the Party
Hi everyone,
I've been reading so much information on these forums as I've finally made a decision to move forward myself and I've asked my GP for a referral to the registry. The possibility of having bariatric surgery has been in my head for about four years now and it's finally time for me to focus on what I need... for myself and my family.
I'm in Ottawa, and I'm hearing that the wait times in Ottawa are longer than in most places (between one and two years). I've also read a lot of information that seems to indicate a reluctance on behalf of Ottawa surgeons to do VSG; they prefer RNY. Any information you all may have on these two topics is most welcome.
A little about me: I've been overweight all of my life, ever since I was an infant and very young child. At 10 years old, I weighed 160 lbs and I went to Weigh****chers for the first time. Lost 20 pounds and plateaued badly... for months. By the time I was 14, I was in size 16-18 pants, and I was terribly embarrassed. Now I'm 42, and still in plus-sized clothing. I'm very active (I go to the gym 3-5 times per week), but I've been lucky in that my hormone levels are excellent, I'm not diabetic, nor do I have sleep apnea or anything like that. I have a three-year old daughter who was conceived by invitro fertilization after 6+ years of other attempts... and Hubby and I decided about three months ago that we're not going to proceed with another IVF for baby #2. We're going to focus on the beautiful daughter we DO have. That also means that it's finally time to focus on me, and to get this surgery done, assuming I can. In doing the IVF in 2008-09, the doctors discovered that I was hypothroid and that I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, which of course, means it's super hard for me to lose any weight that I have.
My GP thinks I'd be a very good candidate and she will refer me (as soon as she gets some test results from earlier this week). To that end, I've just done some blood work and a pulmonary functioning test, though I expect there are many, many more tests to come, assuming I'm a good candidate for surgery. I have to hope!
In the meantime, I'm soaking up all your experiences, blog posts, highs, lows, and any information, tips and tricks that you all have in the hopes that one day, I will pass all the hurdles and have a surgery date myself. I'm keeping my fingers crossed; I have a life to live and I'm very tired of trying to live it in a body that just doesn't seem to fit!
Onward and... downward! (I love that name by the way!)
I'm looking forward to getting to know some of you and following along with your stories. Thanks for letting me join along.
OTTAWA -- 2011 - Contemplated WLS Feb. 15, 2013 - GP Feb. 20 - lung functioning Feb. 22 - blood work Feb. 27 - Referral April 19 - orientation, bloodwork July 10 - nurse July 23 - rheumatologist (VSG) Sept. 12 - Behaviourist & Dietician Oct. 23 - Echocardiogram Nov. 6 - Pre-surgery Class Nov. 12 - Surgeon Jan 13, 2014 - Optifast (3 wks) Jan. 27 - PATTS Feb. 3, 2014 - Surgery (VSG)
HEIGHT: 5'5" HW 303 Pre-Opti 297 SW 271 GW 170 CW 200 (Feb. 8, 2018 - damn the regain!) VSG with Dr. Yelle
Welcome! You'll find this board occasionally has drama but for the most part is really filled with great information, lots of positive, personal experiences and just - well --- AWESOME people. WLS will be wonderful thing for you - sounds like you are ready and informed, but it will also be very challenging. Surround yourself with support and check out your local support group if you have one!
Glad to have you on board!
Dawn
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
Welcome Jiliana2,
I'm a newbie here too, but I'm 14 days away from my surgery. I should've come here sooner, like you.
I don't really know anything about a VSG, just that MDs consider the RNY to be the 'gold standard' operation which usually results in the most weight loss. I don't know how your ghrelin levels would be affected by a VS compared to a RNY.
Jenn. :)
1st appointment - Feb. 23rd, 2012. RNY Dr Cyriac Mar. 11th, 2013.
I received a VSG and I still feel hunger, so I think it doesn't always affect the gherlin levels in a universal manner. *sigh*
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.
Jellyfi****s mostly in the VSG, that your ghrelin (hunger causing hormone) is substantially reduced, not with the RNy, therefore your ghrelin levels will be lower with the VSG. The RNY & VSG are pretty neck in neck as far as weight loss goes these days given the sleeves have been made smaller over the last several years. Many people think that the VSG will be the Platinum standard in the near future!
Welcome Jiliana2 
Sandy
"The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up"
Mark Twain 
Welcome to our little disfunctional corner of the interwebs! We're glad to have you on board! 
Best of luck in your pursuit of health!
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.
