Flaxseed

Yes two years is along time but I am 13 months in now so I hope that I will be able to get surgery by summer 2015. What do folks that have post op problems do for a Dr here if they have surgery in Mexico? I would be afraid to be left hanging if I had a problem.

I am afraid that if I do not jump these hoops in Canada that I will fail if I go to Mexico and pay for it. It seems I am not ready to give up the food addiction. I am at the age where I do it now or never and I feel in my heart this is something I want so bad but my brain will not give up the "bad food binges"!!

Would LOVE to find another female have the sleeve on Dec.8/14 to speak with via text and help each other through the first several months!! Thanks!!

Would LOVE to find another female have the sleeve on Dec.8/14 to speak with via text and help each other through the first several months!! Thanks!!

There is no access to the FB page ????. Start my liquid diet today!!

I'm 12/11/14! Scared and excited all at the same time!!

My surgery date is December 8th as well! PM if looking for a buddy!

12/30/14

Hi, I am schedule also for Dec. 8. I wasn't planning on having surgery until next spring sometime, then I found out that I had to have it by the end of this year. I am ready for it but still kind of shocked it is happening so fast.

I'm right behind you on December 9th!!

Would LOVE to find another female have the sleeve on Dec.8/14 to speak with via text and help each other through the first several months!! Thanks!!

Matt I can relate 100%. I am just sitting here thinking about all the ways food was the dominant force driving my life. Like a big bus heading toward me ready to run me over...I can either cower and close my eyes or lean into it. I am choosing to lean into it. No more excuses...no more I will start a diet tomorrow...no more last meals at McD's. I am ready for a change. Missing family and friends because I don't want them to see me has to be the worst. I can't do that anymore. I have an 11 year old daughter I need to be around for. Two high school sons to make miserable until they move out. I am prob 20 years older than you (judging by the picture)...don't waste the next 20 years doing what I did. Change.

Matt
Good luck with trying a new tactic. Those old diet yo-yo ones can be gone. It is SO FREEING to not be hungry and driven to seek food! That is what lots of us get w/ WLS. It is my hope for you❤️
The world looks different after. It is so worth trying. I was so tired of being tired and hungry and over 250 lbs.
I found a new weight. Health. And a way better life!!! We want that for you!
Keep posting!!

You made a very wise decision when choosing to be sleeved. It's normal to be nervous but I'm sure things will work out great!
You've already received lots of great advice on the other issues so I won't chime in.
Start getting excited about the great changes coming soon. I had surgery last December and the journey has been awesome for me -- one of the most exciting periods of my life!

If I were you I would definitely take a friend or family member. Travel in itself can be draining.. luggage, airport, taxi, etc... let alone after major surgery. Although I did not have significant pain, I was very nauseated and overall weak for several days. I am exactly two weeks post op today and feel good now in the mornings, but still get tired by mid afternoon. Your fears are valid, however you are in the right spot for support. We have all been where you are now, and are a few steps ahead of you. Although I don't want you to be "afraid" of the upcoming surgery, it is a significant procedure and I don't want you to underestimate the need for physical and mental support right after, it does take a toll on your body for a bit. But for me... it is certainly worth it. Good luck to you
Blessings.

I agree, all those emotions are there. I was sleeved 10/9 & I was pleased to have the support of my husband & 2 adult daughters. Things went as expected, but I was nervous as this was my 1st surgery ever & since I work in healthcare, I am familiar with all the things that could go wrong, BUT none of them did & the statistics really point toward the positive. It was helpful to have the emotional support & I was so amazed how supportive, helpful and positive my 22yo & 19 yo daughters were. The hardest time for me so far was the 1st 24 hrs post-op- physically.

@@Flaxseed
different emotions (nerves, excitement, being terrified et al) are all common prerequisites to WLS
i would bring friend/family to Ontario for support
people all react to surgery differently
hopefully you will have an uneventful, successful surgery

some people return to work after a weekend
others take a week, two weeks, month, etc etc
i've heard people play hopscotch the next day!!
common, normal side effects PO - gas, very tired, little weak/lack of energy
you might read some "horror" stories here from people that had problems pre-op or post op
these stories might stick out in your mind
people remember the bad
remember the fact that 99% of people have no major problems
thats what you should be thinking about
as far as support..............who are we???
chopped liver!!
everyone is here for you
good luck with WLS
speedy recovery
kathy

just me, but i wouldn't want to go alone. other people have gone alone and done fine. i think it has to be what you are comfortable with.

I agree, you need a support system especially in those first couple of days before and after to help keep you sane. My husband has been my rock and with me every step of the way. I think he even had asymtematic surgery himself as he felt my pain himself and we both came home from the hospital tired sore and ready to rest last weekend.

Where in canada? I'm in alberta and was about 9 months from referral to surgery. And yes I did get to choose my surgery type. They don't do the band here. Just bypass and sleeve.

Hi - I am in Canada too and was banded 10 years ago in BC. I needed that time pre-op to prepare myself emotionally to change my life and eating habits. I saw a psychiatrist before and all during my weight loss which was invaluable. My process involved saying goodbye to my self abuse and my best friend, food. I learned so much about myself, something I had avoided. One of the positive things about the Band was that when I had a perfect Fill it shut off my brain-stomach signals and the feeling of being hungry all the time.
You may want to try Overeaters Anonymous as another support system to help you prepare. Take your time, be gentle with yourself and trust that the process or hoops you have to jump through are put in place to help you be successful!
All the very best to you!

Hello Flaxseed:
number 1: scrap that health care program. It will be a min of 5 years before you see any type of surgery ( and you don't get to choose the surgery).
I live in Canada as well, went to the Alberta Weight management program. After the 2 hour seminar it was very clear that they believe weight loss surgery will not work. They firmly believe that our weight problems are in our head and that we choose not to have self control. I'll bet these people have never been more than 5 lbs overweight a day in their life.
I took matters into my own hands. I had the band installed by smart shape in Mississauga (good group of people, lots of support) at the end of Jan 2014.
My friend went to Mexico and had the sleeve in March 2014. (my friend's family doctor told her to go for it in mexico, health care cannot be denied in Canada if you have an issue later on in life)
We have both been successful, both of us are now down 90 lbs
Family doctors in Alberta have very limited knowledge on WLS. Mine was skeptical, now he is just thrilled about my weight loss.
both diets are the same for the band and the sleeve. small portions, Protein first etc Get the big book on the band or sleeve to help you along
I am guessing that you are like the rest of us, been on every diet known to man, with limited or zero success. I believe once you get to a certain weight-no amount of yo-yo dieting will help. You will not be able to stick to it.
WLS will not make you lose all the weight, but it will help you get the control you need and with a little determination on your part it will work!
Good luck in your journey.

I didn't get it under control. I went INSANE before surgery and binged like crazy. I think I gained 15lbs even... Good luck to you. The surgery is awesome.

I think for me I need for sure 2 weeks per change as to much to fast will be overwhelming and I will end up on a binge.

Thank you all for responding it feels wonderful to know there are people out there I can talk to about the feelings I am experiencing and the hurdles I am putting up myself by binge eating. I don't have any close friends to speak to about any of this as the majority of my friends are at a very healthy weight. I am not comfortable talking to them about any of this in fact non of my good friends even know that I have been on this journey with the bariatric weight loss clinic for over a year now. I just told my daughter's about this process last week and they do not understand why I can't just "diet and exercise". I have made myself a promise this morning that when I want to eat a big bag of junk food that I will #1 NOT BUY IT and #2 sign onto this site for support. Did any of you experience slight allergies when you were heavy? I have found that in the past 2 years I feel a kind of shortness of breath and my nose is plugged. I am not sure but I think I may also have a gluten sensitivity which I completely ignore as well. I need to take care of ME for once and put on my big girl panties and be strong and vigilant and start getting healthy! Love and Light to all that read this and post a comment to help me through this process!!!