Lori .
November 1, 2006
I am 41 years old, recently transplanted from Alberta to BC. I have a 7 year old son, and an 18 year old stepson. I received my professional training in Social Work and Occupational Therapy.
At the time of my surgery, I weighed 291 lbs (my heaviest) and I am 5'3" tall, or short as my partner would like to say.
Because I live in a country that has universal healthcare, my wait for surgery was long, 4 years from the time I first spoke to my PCP. I moved provinces in that time, and elected not to look for a surgeon in BC, since I would still have to travel, and I would have to go back to the beginning of a wait list.
My surgeon's hospital was a 2 day trip from home. There are no support groups in my area that I am aware of. My partner, youngest son and I made the trip out a mini vacation. The trip home was not quite as fun.My extended family has a high incidence of morbid obesity and short stature. I have been overweight since my early teens, and have struggled unsuccessfully with many diets. Prior to my surgery I was experiencing a growing number of health concerns related to my morbid obesity. This surgery has been a life saver for me, and I mean that in its most literal sense.
