Jeff Z.
Waiting is the hardest part...
Mar 30, 2009
Well things are still in limbo regarding surgery. I spoke with Jody from CIBO on Thursday afternoon and I agreed to go in and speak with some people at the clinic about all the surgical options. She acknowledged my understanding of the surgeries as well as my right to choose what I felt was best for me. Surprisingly she said if after the meeting I didn't want to go ahead with going to Cleveland for a VSG then they understood.
I tookd her tone of voice to be reassuring in the fact that I felt they would still offer me post-op care even if I go ahead with my own surgical plans. Obviously I could be wrong, but that was just the way I personally interpretted things. I'll have a better understanding when the meeting occurs. I know Tom (the owner of CIBO), has a very strong mind and will push his opinions on the matter very aggressively...perhaps that is not the best way to describe it but that is the only word that came to mind.
My mom is going back and forth with her opinion now. I think her biggest concern is the post-op care. I am not exactly sure what I would need (aside from going to my family doctor on a more regular basis for blood-work, etc.), if I don't have the support of CIBO. Obviously people do it and get by, but she doesn't seem to grasp that. I think by me going about things on my own she doesn't feel quite as responsible for what happens. Afterall she was the one who initiated things with City News, which led to CIBO wanting to help me.
The next thing is my wanting to have the DS in one procedure, not two. I understand the risks and realize that there is a mortality rate associated with the procedure. I have no probelm with the risk involved for a procedure I truly want as opposed to one I don't.
I don't want to contact OHIP before this meeting because I feel it would only cause animosity between CIBO and myself, however this only delays things moving forward. Also from my understanding I would have to re-file everything with OHIP as they have me seeking approval for an RNY, which was initially what Cleveland suggested. Why you have to completely re-file is beyond me.
Anyway waiting is the hardest part...
Cheers!
0 comments
I tookd her tone of voice to be reassuring in the fact that I felt they would still offer me post-op care even if I go ahead with my own surgical plans. Obviously I could be wrong, but that was just the way I personally interpretted things. I'll have a better understanding when the meeting occurs. I know Tom (the owner of CIBO), has a very strong mind and will push his opinions on the matter very aggressively...perhaps that is not the best way to describe it but that is the only word that came to mind.
My mom is going back and forth with her opinion now. I think her biggest concern is the post-op care. I am not exactly sure what I would need (aside from going to my family doctor on a more regular basis for blood-work, etc.), if I don't have the support of CIBO. Obviously people do it and get by, but she doesn't seem to grasp that. I think by me going about things on my own she doesn't feel quite as responsible for what happens. Afterall she was the one who initiated things with City News, which led to CIBO wanting to help me.
The next thing is my wanting to have the DS in one procedure, not two. I understand the risks and realize that there is a mortality rate associated with the procedure. I have no probelm with the risk involved for a procedure I truly want as opposed to one I don't.
I don't want to contact OHIP before this meeting because I feel it would only cause animosity between CIBO and myself, however this only delays things moving forward. Also from my understanding I would have to re-file everything with OHIP as they have me seeking approval for an RNY, which was initially what Cleveland suggested. Why you have to completely re-file is beyond me.
Anyway waiting is the hardest part...
Cheers!
My body, my choice?
Mar 22, 2009
Sometimes I am left wondering if I have any say at all...
In January, just prior to my 24th birthday, my mother contacted City News. She outlined my plight and how she felt powerless to help me. Within an hour she had a response and within a week a reporter and a camera-man were filming my mother and I. Three days after that my segment was airing on the news. I was both excited but embarrassed as I was coaxed into having footage shot in my bachelor apartment. For me I could spot every coke can in the video and it just did not sit well with me. I don't think anyone would want people to see their messy apartment...and for me I just get so paranoid when I ponder what people think when they watch it.
Anyway, someone stepped forward to offer a helping hand. A follow-up story was filmed and aired two weeks after my first story.
My problem now is that the surgeon the local clinic lined up wants to do a two stage surgery plan. They are now suggesting a sleeve gastrectomy followed by an RNY 18 months later. Personally I do not like this plan of action. I was never a fan of the RNY as it is. Some people may say "beggars can't be choosers", however this is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life. If I don't agree with it would it be practical to go ahead with it just because everyone else says I should?
The past 4 years I focused mainly on the lap-band due to the fact it was less invasive and was reversible. Problem was the cost and finding someone locally who would perform the procedure.
After doing some more research and thinking I have grasped the ideal that perhaps the Duodenal Switch is the surgery that I could see myself living with. I find it to be a better option than the sleeve/RNY combo. Getting my mom on board with the idea has been challenging. She knows very little about any of the surgerical procedures and says I should just do what I am told by the clinic in Toronto and the surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic.
Personally I figured my mom would be happy that I found something that I could agree to and was OHIP covered.
I am mentally preparing myself for the possibility of having to go about pursuing the Duodenal Switch on my own without the help of my mom or the local clinic who was offering post-op counseling. I know this clinic wants to help, however I know they also want to get the publicity as City News said they would be coming down when I have surgery to doing another story.
Bariatric medicine is a very lucrative field so getting your name out there is very important. This is not to say that the clinic is not genuinely wanting to see me get the help I need, they don't want to see a chance to get their name out there slip away.
I just think I should get to choose the surgery that I feel would be the best for me long-term.
Maybe I am wrong.
2 comments
In January, just prior to my 24th birthday, my mother contacted City News. She outlined my plight and how she felt powerless to help me. Within an hour she had a response and within a week a reporter and a camera-man were filming my mother and I. Three days after that my segment was airing on the news. I was both excited but embarrassed as I was coaxed into having footage shot in my bachelor apartment. For me I could spot every coke can in the video and it just did not sit well with me. I don't think anyone would want people to see their messy apartment...and for me I just get so paranoid when I ponder what people think when they watch it.
Anyway, someone stepped forward to offer a helping hand. A follow-up story was filmed and aired two weeks after my first story.
My problem now is that the surgeon the local clinic lined up wants to do a two stage surgery plan. They are now suggesting a sleeve gastrectomy followed by an RNY 18 months later. Personally I do not like this plan of action. I was never a fan of the RNY as it is. Some people may say "beggars can't be choosers", however this is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life. If I don't agree with it would it be practical to go ahead with it just because everyone else says I should?
The past 4 years I focused mainly on the lap-band due to the fact it was less invasive and was reversible. Problem was the cost and finding someone locally who would perform the procedure.
After doing some more research and thinking I have grasped the ideal that perhaps the Duodenal Switch is the surgery that I could see myself living with. I find it to be a better option than the sleeve/RNY combo. Getting my mom on board with the idea has been challenging. She knows very little about any of the surgerical procedures and says I should just do what I am told by the clinic in Toronto and the surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic.
Personally I figured my mom would be happy that I found something that I could agree to and was OHIP covered.
I am mentally preparing myself for the possibility of having to go about pursuing the Duodenal Switch on my own without the help of my mom or the local clinic who was offering post-op counseling. I know this clinic wants to help, however I know they also want to get the publicity as City News said they would be coming down when I have surgery to doing another story.
Bariatric medicine is a very lucrative field so getting your name out there is very important. This is not to say that the clinic is not genuinely wanting to see me get the help I need, they don't want to see a chance to get their name out there slip away.
I just think I should get to choose the surgery that I feel would be the best for me long-term.
Maybe I am wrong.
