carosmecca
At first I wasn't sure what to write here...
I am 32 years old, fast approaching my 33rd birthday; I live with my boyfriend of almost 5 years who is so loving and supportive of me. We share a house with my sister and her family, which is always full of adventures. I am an aries, with many of their great traits and characteristics.
I have been overweight my entire life, I don't remember a time when I wasn't overweight. I have always told myself as long as my weight was not affecting my health, that I accepted my size and my life and would be as happy as I could to be me. However, in the last two years I have developed high blood pressure, severe sleep apnea, have trouble walking short distances, have insane menstrual cycles, get depressed occasionnally - enough so to be diagnosed with mild depression and anxiety issues. So now, I have realized that my weight is affecting who I am, what I can do in life, and my health and I need to do something about it.
My weight has gotten out of control, and no matter what I try, I can't seem to lose any weight that I can keep off. Every time I seem to try to take a few steps forward, I slip backwards. I've been trying to eat healthier since January, but it is still a very difficult process to break the habits I've had for years.
My mother's family doctor took me on as a patient in 2007 to try to help me with this journey. Although he has little experience with morbidly obese patients, if I have a question or an option I want to research, he does his best to help or to get me to the right people who can help. He referred me to the Ottawa weight clinic in April 2006 and I was devastated when I was told because I was too healthy that I was not a great candidate to go out of country and at the time there were not many other options.
So then in May 2007, when I saw Dr. Dent again with my sister, who because of her health issues was a candidate for wls surgery; I asked him if I could see him again to discuss my case. When I did in August, he agreed to refer me to the clinic in Toronto and then I was to wait to hear from them... I had no idea what to expect and then received a questionnaire to fill out in October, only to receive a consultation appointment in November for April 21st, 2008... I meet with Dr. Hagen that day to discuss my options and see what will happen from there. I can't really afford to pay for surgery myself, so I was really hoping to stay in Ontario but with at least a 2 year wait time, I am not sure I can take that time before I begin this journey to a healthier me.
My mom and boyfriend are going with me to the appointment in April to be supportive and I am thankful I have them in my life. I am going to attend the Ottawa Support group meeting this Sunday to hear more about wls and Dr. Graber to see what other options I can explore so I won't be too disappointed if after almost a year of waiting, nothing comes from the consultation. Never hurts to have more than one plan...
