I have spent the last 13 months in a debate with myself, and have cancelled my surgery twice already. I read posts of people that are happy and doing well, losing weight quickly and keeping it off. But I also have read horror stories about people that had terrible experiences, pain, suffering, regrets, hungry, un-satisfied with meal portions, post op complications etc. I am a person that believes in being prepared, but can't seem to get any consistent information. Each site and each blog seems to contradict the other. I want to hear from Canadians, preferably Albertans that had VSG surgery, and learn from their experience, just because I am from Alberta, Edmonton to be exact. I have been over weight for 16 years, and probably severe the last 10 years (BMI 47). I have Type II Diabetes and take 2 types of insulin to manage it, I also have sleep apnea, high blood pressure and high cholesteral. My back and knees ache, I hate looking in the mirror, and when My sweet wife takes out the camera for a holiday or family picture I run! I want to believe VSG is the answer to kick start my ass in to getting healthier again, I know it's not the cure, but maybe a good motivator. I need to know if I can have a normal life after VSG surgery, I want to know that the chances of post op complications long and short term are minimal. Please help me, as I really want to do the right thing. I have never been for obesity counciling, my Doc has tried setting this up, but I work in construction, and travel continually to survive. I have tried dieting, and yes have lost weight in the past, but only to put it back on, because of several reasons, family tradition (we love to eat, drink and be merry!), comfort because of stress at work, because I am happy and celebrating, etc. In closing I think I have found the best surgeon in Mexico, his name is Dr. Aceves, his people do not push, they are one of the few that work out of a hospital, perform 3 leak tests before releasing their patients, and really seem to care. They are not cheap, but offer what I think to be a complete service, I could wait and have it done for free in Canada, but that could take a few years if they think I qualify. Please tell me about your experience, your honest feed back is really important in my final decision to go. I am scheduled for surgery next week, Sept-20-2011. God bless all that take the time to read this, I look forward to your replies.

Dwayne

Hi fellow Edmontonians!!! Well, i'm from St.Albert, but close enough! I'm 3 weeks out from Surgery. Got it done by dr.almanza. I'm currently at a stall...and it's making me very unhappy. Anyway, glad to see other fell Edmontonians here! I wish everyone the best of luck and much health in their weight loss!

Hello back at yah. You will hit stalls throughout this journey and 3 weeks was when i hit my first one. It will not last so do not fear! I also had my surgery from Almanza. Good luck to you and thanks for posting, nice to know there are people close.

Hi fellow Edmontonians!!! Well, i'm from St.Albert, but close enough! I'm 3 weeks out from Surgery. Got it done by dr.almanza. I'm currently at a stall...and it's making me very unhappy. Anyway, glad to see other fell Edmontonians here! I wish everyone the best of luck and much health in their weight loss!

wow, people from Edmonton... sweet!

i go for my sleeve on Nov.3..... getting close and im nervous

Hi ,

I am from Calgary. I got sleeved here in Calgary on October 28th. Through the program with Alberta Health services.

Glad to hear we have other sleevers in Alberta.

Thanks

Hi I know this is late but I am from Grande Prairie and am having surgery May 21. Its nice to see other Albertans on here.

I am from Lloydminster Alberta and was sleeved on August 28/12. Best decision I have ever made. I had just finished a little battle with breast cancer and the chemo had eaten away at the arthritis in my knees. They ached everyday and that was the final straw. I researched a lot and found a Canadian owned company with an award winning surgeon that is the top in her field. The company is based out of Saskatoon and has a few offices across Canada, it is called Weight Loss Forever. Dr. Liza Marie Pompa was my surgeon. My experience was amazing, I actually wish I could get my reconstructive surgery done in Tijuana at the LIMARP Hospital. I am 3 months out and down 70 pounds and only 20 pounds away from my goal. Best part is that my knees don't hurt anymore.

I am from Lloydminster Alberta and was sleeved on August 28/12. Best decision I have ever made. I had just finished a little battle with breast cancer and the chemo had eaten away at the arthritis in my knees. They ached everyday and that was the final straw. I researched a lot and found a Canadian owned company with an award winning surgeon that is the top in her field. The company is based out of Saskatoon and has a few offices across Canada' date=' it is called Weight Loss Forever. Dr. Liza Marie Pompa was my surgeon. My experience was amazing, I actually wish I could get my reconstructive surgery done in Tijuana at the LIMARP Hospital. I am 3 months out and down 70 pounds and only 20 pounds away from my goal. Best part is that my knees don't hurt anymore.[/quote']

Hi Im from southern alberta and I'm also going through WLF. I will be sleeved April 3. I am so excited!! Nice to see albertains on here

I'm sleeved and from Fort McMurray!

Hi I'm from Calgary and just got sleeved on Monday in red deer through AHS - all has been well! Love to hear from people in Calgary and see if there are any support groups ?

Just saying HI! My date is May 20 in Mexico and I am in Grande Prairie Alberta

I'm sleeved and from Fort McMurray!

I'm from Fort McMurray too! I'm thinking of getting sleeved in July. I'd love to connect with you. Thanks!

Morning albertagirl!

I just sent you a message! I thought I loved my band, but the sleeve is definitely love! hehehehee

I'm from Fort McMurray too! I'm thinking of getting sleeved in July. I'd love to connect with you. Thanks!

Hi I'm from Calgary and just got sleeved on Monday in red deer through AHS - all has been well! Love to hear from people in Calgary and see if there are any support groups ?

I'm from airdrie and was sleeved 28th May in Tijuana by Dr Valenzuela. I feel great!! Lost 19lbs since day of surgery and haven't had any issues. Not sure whether my family Dr will treat me if I do have any as he wasn't on board when I mentioned that I was thinking of having this done. I'm so pleased that I did though!!!!

I'm from airdrie and was sleeved 28th May in Tijuana by Dr Valenzuela. I feel great!! Lost 19lbs since day of surgery and haven't had any issues. Not sure whether my family Dr will treat me if I do have any as he wasn't on board when I mentioned that I was thinking of having this done. I'm so pleased that I did though!!!!

Hi Kiwi63

Congrats on your decision in almost 3 months out and don't regret it for a moment!! I'm sure your doctor with treat you if need be - I haven't been to my family doc about te surgery and have had absolutely no issues. I went through AHS and had my surgery in Red Deer great team there for sure!! Keep me posted on your progress and if you need anything. Maybe we can meet one of these days - because I haven't been able to find any support group or anything here

I'm from Cold Lake, and was sleeved in Edmonton. 1yr out next week and almost 100lbs down. No regrets at all, at first you look at at your tiny little portions and miss eating a supersized meal but your satisfied on so much less, and around 10 months out you can eat much more, maybe 1 - 11/2 cups of food... Meat fills you faster, but I can now eat a big salad.

Just remember how much better you'll feel and how good you'll look when the weight comes off, and never really being hungry again.

I had no problems at all a sleeve of steel, can eat everything and do but in much maller portions. I'm a slow loser, so that's been frustrating but slowly still dropping weight.

You may mourn for your food but that will pass as you lose the weight and feel so much better.

Oh and my wait for surgery in Edmonton was only about 6 months and I didn't go through weight wise clinic either. Plus it's free.