It all started here!

It all started when I asked my NP (Nurse Practitioner) about this procedure (RNY - Roux-En-Y). She helped/supported me so much. She made sure I was eligible which I was because I am morbidly obese + diabetic. She went ahead and sent my referral and got the ball rolling, this was back in late 2009. She mentioned that there "could" be a waiting period of three (3) years.

I received my first phone call from my surgeon's office in January 2011 to book 2 appointments:

January 31, 2011
Dr. Starr
This was only an introduction meeting, I didn't meet with the surgeon. Sat with someone and she explained a few things. That I will eventually have to take Optifast: a shake that will eliminate all the fat around the organs, especially the liver since during the operation, they need to lift the liver up to make the "pouch" - new stomach. What happens is that since we are obese, fat surrounds all our organs and makes them soft which is not good, not good at all. Optifast burns the fat around and brings them to, somewhat normal, hard like a healthy liver.
Since my BMI on that day was 63.6, she suggested that I lose weight to bring my BMI to 55 which is a preferred BMI for surgery, they don't like it when it's higher and to my understanding, they can refuse the procedure.

Click here to calculate your BMI.

In April I was called to the sleep lab for the sleep apnea testing. A week after, I received the results stating that my oxygen level was lowering to 81% as some state of sleep. To be determined my Medical Internist if I need a CPAP.

So I was asked to do a weekly weigh-in (has to be on a prescription pad from my health team office) and report it via email which I did. I reached a BMI of 55 in May 2011: lost 51lbs in 4 months. Felt awesome!

Gastric Bypass Information Session (1st of 2 - 3hrs)
They give you a printed copy of their powerpoint presentation and it is simply to give awareness on this surgery.
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5 months after my 1st gastric bypass information session, mid- June, I finally got an email from the Bariatric Office of my hospital, HRRC (Humber River Regional Hospital). Attached in this email, there was a map of the location of all appts, hotels nearby, nutritional questionnaire and appt letter. (see Jul-2011 tab for details on appts)

The nutritional questionnaire is basically what are your habits, what do you normally eat in a day and it is to be given to the receptionist when you are going to see the RD.

There are 3 hotels next to each other from 0.3 to 0.5KM away the HRRH. ONLY one offered a "hospital rate" and it was at Comfort Inn. They do not charge parking fees however, the HRRH charges $15/day parking so to save the money ($30) I walked (0.5km).