cecile babin
I always was overweight my whole life pratically. I am from Nb, came to Ab due to hubbys work. I was on a waiting list for a WLS surgery for 3 years in Nb, I then came to Ab and needed to be on another wait list. I was so pissed, oh well what could I do. I went to see my family physician here In Edmonton and she referred me to the weight wise clinic at the RAH. At first it took a whole year to get my call for my first consultation to see if I was a good candidate for the program. I was approved right away. I was told I needed to show I could lose weight before surgery would even be approved, I thought i could of gotten it right away. More waitingg....... I first seen a dietician, which personnaly has not really helped me throughout my surgery, what in the hell I know what I gotta do, I just dont do it, duhhhhh. But I tried I lost a bit of weight and then gained a bit. The dietician was just saying lets put new goals for next visit. Did I mention visits were 2 months apart, I could of gained alot of weight dureing that time. I felt like I was doing this all by myself. Finally I got fed up in December 2009 I asked if I could meet a surgeon, they advised me I had to meet with Dr. Sharma the coorinator before even being considered for surgery. Dr. Sharma said the only thing u havent tried is a weight loss drug, so he prescribed it to me for a few months and then we would meet again and see the results. Did I mention it cost me over 150.00 per month for these pills, but I was determined at losing the weight. I meet Dr. Sharma two months after with no weight loss and very very very high blood pressure, he orderered me off the drugs and told me I would see Dr. Birch the surgeon for possible surgery. Wooohoooo i was so excited. Two months after I first met with Dr. Birch, we talked and he said I dont think your ready and he was really rude to me. It came into a huge fight, me crying, blood pressure being sky high, having to go see my family physician for a sick note. Then I was discouraged and pissed off, I could not even live, I cried for a month, quit my job and then met with Dr. Sharma again to discuss. Dr. Sharma was surprised and he said your 100% ready for surgery he said dont worry about it I will send your referal to Dr. Karmali. Oh my goodness I could of kissed the guy. I was some happy but at the same time so scared that I would get screwed over once again. 2 weeks later I seen Dr. Karmali, he right away agreed with Dr. Sharma that I was ready, so he made me sign my consent forms right there and then and told me it would take a few weeks till surgery, he also gave me requisitions for a blood test, ekg, lung test and barium swallow test. I seen him 2 weeks after that and he told me everyting in ok and It should not be too long until his secretary calls me for my surgery date. SO I procedded to the weight wise clinic receptionist which advised me it will be at least 3-4 months til surgery. Once again I could of flipped out and slap her so hard, but what could I do once again, they are so not organized there its not even funny. I was called 2 weeks after that for my orientation to talk abou the band surgery and we were 8 people getting different WLs in the room. I decided the band cause it was less invasive and GBS scared the crap out of me. The VSG since there were only a few years data, also scared me. I also know a few people that got the band with great results. But anyhow, I waited, waited and waited. I finallhy decided to call Dr. Karmalies secretary once a week, I think she did not like me in the end, but why would her surgeon she worked for would tell me it would only be a few weeks at it was now 2 months, hummmmm I was pissed. Finally shed called me the end of May and told me My surgery date of June 3rd. Holy SHoots I was some happy. I was not scared one bit, I totally was well informed and wanted it so bad. I did my 2 week pre op liquid diet which consisted of drinking only 4 ensure high protein shakes with 2 cups of skim milk per day and I could have as much water as I wanted. The first 2 weeks were hard, but I did not even cheat once, I was so ready. Also if I gained weight prior to surgery, it would get postponed, so I continued and followed to a T. I lost 13.6 pounds the first 2 week pre op liquid diet, which wasnt bad. I of course would of wished more weight loss but oh well the band would help. Surgery morning I weighed in at 266.2 swo I was 280.6 the biggest Ive been in my whole entire life, yukkyyyyy!!! I now weigh 258.8 so I lost 20.2 pounds I guess, It has not been easy, I dont have any will power to eating right. Its hard, but I am fighting threw it. I will lose this battle once and for all. Ive been walking lots and jogging I walk 6 days a week for an hour and a half each day. The weight loss is not as much as I would of wanted but wtv, its better than gaining. I had my first fill 6 weeks after surgery so on Tuesday July 14,09 , holy shit that hurt . The Dr. was really busy doing surgerys taht day and he had to poke me 3 times to get my port and even till this day I dont think he injected some saline in there, he said he put in 3cc??? Im so angry at everything just pissed at myself, I feel Im the only one dealing with this issue all by myself, i have no contact with the surgery whatsoever and we were not given his number in case we had questions. so I have my second fill scheduled actually for August 18th so in 2 days I cant wait. As on the forum Ive noticed that Lapbsters patients say its normal to not feel any restriction until the 2nd fill well see about that it better be true if not I want the MGB Revision right away. But ill ask lots of questions to my surgeon even do he will be so busy, Im bringing in my hubby with me so he can ask him lots and lots of questions and I find him on the not so talkative side. So far I dont feel like I had surgery, no pain, no pb, never have been stuck at all. Hopefully 2nd fill will kick me on the ass really really hard.
