Carlacee
I live in Hamilton, Ontario. I am waiting for weight loss surgery paid by OHIP. It is a slow process.
I weigh just over 300 lbs. I've been over weight for most of my life - as far back as I can remember. Mind you, when I look back, I wasn't as big as I had thought. I was able to fit into a size 14 at ages 13-18 but I thought that was fat. I think I dieted myself up to this size. I would diet, lose anywhere between 25-85 lbs and the gain the weight back plus some.
My hope is that I get to a size 10-12. I was told that I would lose about 100lbs. That is better than what I am now but I also don't want to be 200 lbs at 65 years old. That can't be healthy either.
I still have a wait for the surgery. It should be in 2017 but who knows. I've already been waiting over a year from the orientation date.
Fast forward to 2018. I finally had the surgery. My surgery date was June 27, 2018. I am 16 weeks post op and down 72 pounds. Wow. It feels so good to weigh less. I can do much more.
It took forever to be cleared for my surgery because I had to have my hemoglobin levels monitored. I was put on iron infusions for about a year. My hemoglobin went up slightly but not that much which lead the hematologist to believe a lower than average hemoglobin is natural for my body. After all that.
I knew it. I told this to the dietician who flagged my test results. I was upset with her for causing my surgery to be held up but now when I think back, it is still better to be safe than sorry.
All of 2017 and the beginning of 2018 I figured it would be another year before I would have my surgery. I actually believed it might not happen or if it did, it would be way way way in the future.
Finally in January 2018, I went to get some more iron infusions at the hospital and the nurses said my iron was too high to give me anymore infusions. They sent me away. I went to see the hematologist in February and she told me my hemoglobin was just at the low end of an acceptable range and that she would clear me for surgery.
It took me calling the bariatric clinic a few times before they made my next appointment which surprisingly was to see the surgeon, Dr. Gmora in St. Joes, in Hamilton. I was surprised because I thought I would have had to see a dietician again and a psychiatrist before I could see the doctor but that was not the case.
The surgeon told me my hemoglobin was still on the low side and I would probably have to take iron infusions for the rest of my life, but the operation would be much more beneficial than not having it. He said I was headed for sickness as I aged. My blood pressure was a little high, I had sleep apnea but that was it. He said more ailments would likely occur as I aged. But it was up to me.
I said, I wanted the surgery for sure.
He made me sign some documents and then take them to the receptionist.
I did this and the next thing I knew the receptionist was asking me if I wanted the surgery in May or June.
I was in shock and asked her if she meant in 2018? She laughed and said no one has ever reacted the way I did. She said 2018. I couldn't believe it was so soon. I waited for so long, over two years and it was finally within reach. I chose June 27.
I had my surgery and immediately had regrets when I awoke because of the pain from the gas.
As time went on, things go a lot better. I followed the program/diet to the letter because I did not want to have any self-imposed complications.
It is now October and I am at 16 weeks post op. I am down 72.2 lbs. It is a lot of hard work. I exercise 5 days a week by walking 10,000 steps. I find that I love walking outside. Unfortunately the temperature in Hamilton is getting colder and I have to walk on the treadmill. To pass the time, I watch TV shows on my tablet.
When it comes to food and my appetite, I try to eat mostly protein. I do get hungry now but I try to eat no more than a cup of food three times a day max and then I may have 2 - 3 snacks.
The hardest part for me is writing everything I eat down in a journal and getting in all my liquids. I am pretty good with the vitamins.
So far I am glad I had this surgery. I feel so much better.