Make sure you make a list of whatever diet plans you followed even if it wasn't an official one.

They will look at what attempts you have made even if not successful long term. They will want to see that you have been trying. Gastric bypass is just a tool which is why they want you to demonstrate that you having been trying even if not successful. It happened to all of us. YOYO dieting has been a problem for all of us.

Ask your GP for a referral to a Dietician to help you just eat healthier and attempt to break old eating habits. Anything you do know will make it easier to succeed after.

Try upping exercise even if it only walking to the house next door.

Keep track of everything. Start food logging. All this will help. Depending on which centre you get referred to you will have a wait.

Good luck in your journey

Thanks so much for taking the time to write a reply. I really appreciated it . I haven't been seeing any type of professional. Guess I will just hope for the best. I wish I had 20 grand to do it private but that wont be happening

You should definitely be able to get a referral from your family doctor, although sometimes people have to fight for it. It is really up to the bariatric clinic to assess you to determine if you will be successful post-op.

It is also helpful if you have a counselor/psychologist/etc. who can support you and speak to your ability to succeed. During the process I was asked to get some questions filled out by my counselor who I had been working with for quite some time (about all different things). Especially if you don't have a long history with your family doc. Although they have to also be willing to follow up with you post-op :) My family doc retired while I was in the process and I was very concerned that the doctor taking over for him wouldn't be supportive, but I've been pleasantly surprised.

Hello. First time poster. Long time reader. I went to a walk in clinic to get a referral for the bariatric clinic. They said it was beyond their scope.

I havent done a medically supervised weight loss program. I did pay a personal trainer thousands and lost 1% (almost nothing) body fat in 6 months. My BMI is 45 and I am 30 years old. I havent even really been able to give any diet a real chance. I get hopeless and give up. I actually enjoy exercise but now I am so big I dont enjoy anything really. I know for certain after the surgery I will need to really work on my relationship with food and eat healthier. I enjoy fruits and veggies in all forms a great deal. I also enjoy almost every protein. I am sure the surgery will help me although it will be work and is hard and not an easy way out.

I have an appointment with my new family doctor on Tuesday. What can I say or do to get him to refer me?

Long story short, can I get a referral without having attempted a medically supervised weight loss clinic? And never meeting with a dietician?

Hey Leslie,

Thanks for responding. I was kind of surprised that this topic had so many views - but no responses, especially considering it's such a common problem with obese people.

Yes, I know it's not a "second stomach" - my wife calls it that and so do I just as a sort of nickname.

I have already been to a surgeon and was told the same thing. It is covered though where I live, so I won't have to pay when the time comes. This surgeon has been highly recommended and I gotten feedback from past patients.

My concern was more the panni hanging down lower as the weight loss occurs. Did you have that problem or do the panni kind of shrink/go inward. It is already covering my bits to be frank, so I don't want it hanging to my knees.

If you have had your hanging skin from your arms and legs done - how much did that cost you?

Thanks again,

Adam