Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Dr MICHEL GAGNER, Montreal, anyone? need reassurance before i take the plunge!



Recommended Posts

@@Bhappy, thanks for asking and sorry about the late reply! The surgery went well and I am recovering easily, no issues - trying to keep hydrated and focusing on my Protein intake. Emotionally, I have many "what-if" moments daily that bring me to tears - wondering if I could have done this on my own and in fear of complications down the road. I was fully aware of all the complications and I made this decision knowing that it would be only a matter of time before I became diabetic as it runs very strongly in my family. Its just a part of the process and I know that this was the solution I needed or another a year or two or three....would have passed trying to do it on own with no success like the last 14 years.

How are you doing? I am curious also about your Vitamin plan - what are you taking?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

A question re Dr Gagner - what is the wait time from initial inquiry to surgery with his office? I'm in Ontario and although I expect I would qualify for OHIP, I don't want the long wait. Have been researching Mexico but am curious re Dr Gagner!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I waited one month. He was awesome. Recommend Canada. If u run into any complications I'm not sure what hospital fees or care is like in Mexico.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@"TrishFB" read my thread above for my experience

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks so much for replying!! I can deal with a month. :) and the cost difference really isn't significant given the CAD to USD exchange rate. Thanks again!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Best of luck. I have NO regrets. Would do it again. First month was the worst. Once my brain got caught up with what I did to my body it got easier. Iam down 31lbs 2 months in. Great feeling.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Saw my family doctor today. She was in favour of surgery at this point and wants to register me for the Ontario program. She was very anti travelling to Mexico for surgery (not surprising for a Canadian doctor) and did not know of Dr Gagner's clinic. Not prepared to wait for a year +, I've taken the plunge and have booked a consultation with Dr Gagner later this week!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Trishb!

I wanted to share my experience with you - one month post op, the good, bad and ugly (sort of so far)

The Good.

Dr Gagner is a consummate professional, and so are his staff. He takes the time to listen to your concerns and answer your questions. His staff are responsive (within a couple of days at the most). To date, I healed well and only faced my first test today with nasty acid reflux...hopefully its not a recurrence.

The Bad.

I didst realize the clinic in which the operation was performed was in a commercial building with a shopping centre. That threw off , but I was pretty determined to go through this. I think in another lifetime I would have run away lol. Its a major surgery and you should ideally be in a hospital.

I didn't receive any post-op/discharge instructions re warning signs of complications. Dr Gagner discussed them with me over the phone, when I returned to Ontario - but I had to intiate the request for information...

It's rather expensive when you start piling on the hotel costs/travel costs/and other expenditures - considering we can be completely covered through OHIP for the same procedure.

The Ugly.

Long-term aftercare, or heck even short term! There is mental health side to weight loss surgery and I can't stress how important its for you to feel that you can schedule an appointment with your surgeon, and his team and meet him next week/month or whatever the case. I can only speak to Dr. Gagner on the phone, and I didnt' realize how important after-care is...the OHIP program offers weekly support groups managed by psychologist and nutritionists and follow up for five years!

You can't join these support groups if you had the surgery has self-pay. So we're kinda on our own.
Second, I started to really be concerned about how I manage complications long term - such as strictures..I am lucky to have a family doctor familiar with the procedure...but there are untold advantages of going directly to your surgeon and his capacity to refer you to a known professional for whatever treatment is required. .

I am very lucky to live near a Bariatric Centre of Excellence (Humber Hospital) so if I have a complication, I will head to the ER. But I will have to always explain my story and lack that team based support.

I completely understand your need to jump in! and not wait - but there is something precious about that wait-time that I only understood afterwards - this is a significant permanent change in your life. That wait-time prepares you for the challenges ahead and it can get very intense!

I found that Dr. Gagner, explained the procedure well, stats on the main complications - however, there was no mention of the fact that GERD (acid reflux) can be so bad for some patients who acquire it post-op that they need to be revised to Gastric Bypass. I heard several stories on Facebook groups and instagrams. He essentially told me that a few # of people develop acid reflux, but you can easily take meds for it and generally resolves it self. I am finding that's not always the case - because its not diet related...its the mechanical problem - the sleeve is a high pressure system and folks either immediately get severe acid reflux or develop it over time.

There were no mention that most surgeons now recommend that you do not take NsAIDs - advil etc w/ the sleeve as it can cause ulcers and damage the stomach. There was no mention that long-term some people suffer like teeth decay due to the body's incapacity to absorb Calcium appropriately. I am not sure he's Vitamin list is necessarily the most extensive...most surgeons recommend B12 supplements, but his nutritionist does not...and Calcium is on a as need basis.

I wish you the best on your journey, and I urge you not to discount the importance of local medical support :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi All - wanted to add a quick update for anyone looking into surgery with Dr. Gagner.

I had my vsg procedure on Feb 23rd - so am 2.5 weeks out. Everything went well and I truly can't say enough good things about Dr. Gagner, his clinic and everyone associated with the clinic! I went back to work after a week (part days for 2 days, then ft after the weekend) and am feeling great. And, I'm down 21 pounds!

If you're considering vsg, I can't say enough about my experience with Dr. Gagner!


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×