Alberta Newbie Here - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Jewlybean · 10-18-2009, 09:22 AM

Hi there,

First off I have to say WOW! Congratulations on your success!
What an amazing group of people!

Let me introduce myself. I don't even know where to begin....
My name is Julianne. My friends call me Jewl. I am a wife of 17 Years and a mother of 2 teenage boys. I've lived in Southern Alberta most of my life.

I have struggled with my weight my whole life. It all started around the time I started school. By the time I was 13 years old I weighed 220lbs. Kids were so cruel to us "fat kids". I can honestly say that I have no fond memories of my school years. I ended up dropping out in the last half of grade 6.

My lowest adult weight was probably 190lbs. That was after I had my 1st son. The weight slowly went up after that till I got pregnant with my youngest son. Then I lost weight through my pregnancy. Again the weight came back up to my current weight of 250lbs.

About 5 years ago I decided enough is enough and I joined Curves and started walking regularly. It didn't work. So after about 6 months of that, on a whim, I went to my doctor and suggested that maybe I need surgery. At that time I honestly didn't know that there really was a surgery that could help me. To my surprise, my doctor agreed without hesitation. But.......I had to wait 2.5 years to get in for the consultation

My consult was in Oct 07. Dr. Nohr said I was a good candidate for the Lap RNY and booked my surgery date.....Dec 4,2008!

I was so looking forward to my surgery! Then I was offered a dream job that started in November. The only way I could take the job was if I re-scheduled my surgery

I had no choice. I re-scheduled the surgery for Nov 9, 2009.

So here I am....4.5 years from the start of my WLS journey....22 days away from my big day!

I'm looking forward to getting to know some people heading down a similar path and gaining some knowledge from those who have been there.

Sorry I was so long winded....I've never really told the whole story before

LisaJo · 10-18-2009, 09:28 AM

Welcome and Congrats.....you have found the right place for alot of good info and support!

Jewlybean · 10-18-2009, 11:17 AM

Thanks for the welcome!
I have been reading lots.....I've laughed....I've cried....I'm loving it.

SummerEA · 10-19-2009, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jewlybean

Hi there,

First off I have to say WOW! Congratulations on your success!
What an amazing group of people!

Let me introduce myself. I don't even know where to begin....
My name is Julianne. My friends call me Jewl. I am a wife of 17 Years and a mother of 2 teenage boys. I've lived in Southern Alberta most of my life.

I have struggled with my weight my whole life. It all started around the time I started school. By the time I was 13 years old I weighed 220lbs. Kids were so cruel to us "fat kids". I can honestly say that I have no fond memories of my school years. I ended up dropping out in the last half of grade 6.

My lowest adult weight was probably 190lbs. That was after I had my 1st son. The weight slowly went up after that till I got pregnant with my youngest son. Then I lost weight through my pregnancy. Again the weight came back up to my current weight of 250lbs.

About 5 years ago I decided enough is enough and I joined Curves and started walking regularly. It didn't work. So after about 6 months of that, on a whim, I went to my doctor and suggested that maybe I need surgery. At that time I honestly didn't know that there really was a surgery that could help me. To my surprise, my doctor agreed without hesitation. But.......I had to wait 2.5 years to get in for the consultation

My consult was in Oct 07. Dr. Nohr said I was a good candidate for the Lap RNY and booked my surgery date.....Dec 4,2008!

I was so looking forward to my surgery! Then I was offered a dream job that started in November. The only way I could take the job was if I re-scheduled my surgery

I had no choice. I re-scheduled the surgery for Nov 9, 2009.

So here I am....4.5 years from the start of my WLS journey....22 days away from my big day!

I'm looking forward to getting to know some people heading down a similar path and gaining some knowledge from those who have been there.

Sorry I was so long winded....I've never really told the whole story before

Hi Julianne,

Welcome to the forum!

Dr. Nohr is my surgeon (I'm 10 months post-op Open RNY) and he is brilliant. To be honest, my mother said she found him to be rather abrupt but all in all, he was competent, answered all of my questions and didn't treat me like I was dumb when I wanted to know something I thought might be stupid.

The nurses were good and you won't be in hospital as long as I was which is good.

If you need any support, including someone to come and see you or keep people updated, let me know! I'm from Calgary, going to school in Red Deer at the moment and drive all over the place on random road trips a lot so I don't mind!

All the best as you prep for surgery and I'm serious, if you need ANYTHING, let me know!

By the way, I'm the queen of "long winded" and you weren't so don't worry about that! I'm glad to hear your story!

Jewlybean · 10-19-2009, 07:37 AM

Hi SummerEA,

Thank you so much for your post and congrats on your success so far! It is really comforting to know that we have the same surgeon and that your experience was a good one.

I soooo wish that I could have joined TT sooner! ( I didn't have a computer) I have found that I've become obsessed with the whole thing.....Not that it's a bad thing....I have a LOT of learning to do. There is so much information on this site....It's almost overwhelming!

I didn't get much instruction from Dr. Nohr other than to buy WLS For Dummies and my Hospital Instruction Sheet....No Pre-op diet....I am also a smoker. (I know, I have to quit). The only time frame I have to go on is the Hospital Instruction Sheet.....It says at least 2 weeks before surgery.....I have decided that tomorrow is the day I quit.

The 20 day countdown begins today...I'm freaking out a little.....ok a LOT! I'm thinking that I should be going shopping to pick up the things I will need for when I come home from the hospital.....I have read peoples posts on here about what to get but there are sooo many opinions....

I appreciate your offer to come see me....I may just take you up on that! I have never met anyone who has had WLS in person. (that I know of) I would love to meet someone...see pictures...hear their story. I would love to hear Your story.

Thanks again for your post and your kind words. It has eased my mind a little. I'm not feeling so alone. I hope to hear from you again.

Jewl

Highlandlass · 10-19-2009, 09:25 AM

Hi, I'm from Toronto and had the RNY on June 15/09. Welcome to T.T. and I hope you find all the info you are looking for. Also glad you met someone else from Alberta and that you might meet in person as well. You have had a long wait from your initial meeting with the surgeon, but things happen for a reason. Only 20 more days - that is great. I know you will use that time to mentally and physically prepare yourself for the surgery. Please do read about pre-op liquid diets to shrink your liver to make the surgery and recuperation time easier. Do you have a nutrionist you can look to for advice? If not, have a look at the info on this site and try to follow it. There are dozens of people here ready to help you with your questions and fears so don't be shy to ask. Hope to hear more from you in the future, a fellow Canadian eh?

Jewlybean · 10-19-2009, 07:10 PM

Hi Highlandlass,

Thank you for your post....Yes it has been a long road....Thankfully I'm almost there....The beginning of my new life! It's all becoming more real to me....I don't think it will truly hit me until the day of my surgery though.

I talked to a dietician a couple months ago but I was still trying to lose the weight on my own....She wasn't much help....I'm running out of time. I'm due for my yearly physical so I'm going to talk to my family doctor at that time and see if she can hook me up.

I don't think my surgion requires a pre-op diet (other than fasting the night before) He didn't give me any instruction on it anyway. I would like to try it though....Every little bit helps right? It can't hurt....or can it? I have looked around for a pre-op diet and haven't nailed anything down....I'll keep looking.

Highlandlass · 10-19-2009, 07:47 PM

Hello again, I was told to use OptiFast for 2 weeks pre-surgery. I bought it from my surgeon, but I know that others used different types of proteins pre-op. Put the question in the Nutrition thread and I know you'll get loads of advice. In the meantime, it doesn't hurt to start healthier eating on your own. Cut back on carbs and sugars, eat more proteins, and above all else try to get moving a bit more. Oh, and drink plenty of water - it helps. Sometimes we feel hungry but are thirsty. Good luck and keep in touch.

Jewlybean · 10-19-2009, 08:50 PM

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm going to do that. (post in the nutrition section)
Funny how I have had 4.5 years to figure all this stuff out and now I'm scambling.

LaDawnS · 10-19-2009, 09:40 PM

Hi Julianne!
Welcome to the TT Family! You've found a great site! There are so many awesome people willing to help here! You'll love it! Congrats on finally making it to your surgery...almost! It'll be here before you know it!!! Good luck with everthing! Let us know how it goes!!!