28 Days Until Surgery. Timeline.

Myself, Carol, and Kelly.  We met at the Bariatric Clinic and are all scheduled for surgery next month.

December, 2011 - Dr. Besse suggested that with my weight issues, family history, and years of seeking help, I apply to have a bariatric surgery.  Not thinking I would be accepted, Dr. Besse sent in a referral.

December, 2012 - I was cleaning a closet out in my house and discovered a letter dated February, 2012.  It was an acceptance letter from the Bariatric Clinic.

January, 2013 - My first meeting happened at the clinic with several other accepted patients.  They told me to forget all diet plans I had learned in the past - Weight Watchers, Herbal Magic, My Fitness Pal,  Weigh Down Workshop, Dr. Phils 7 Keys to Weight Loss, etc.  Out the window!

*That lead me to gain 10 lbs.  I had already gained 10 over December.  I successfully gained 20 lbs in 4 months.  (Go me!!  This sent me into a mild depression.)

March, 2013 - I met with a nurse, psychologist, kinesiologist, and dietician.  They gave me a plan to follow including an exercise program, following calories on myfitnesspal.com, taking vitamins, and seeing a counsellor.  I struggled very much as through counselling I learned a lot about myself and realized I was under a lot of stress which was greatly impacting my food consumption (post on that coming in the future).  The goal was to lose 10 lbs and instead I gained 4.  Now I had gained 24 lbs in 6 months.

May, 2013 - I joined a class called "Craving Change" where I met Kelly and Carol.  THAT, together with the counselling I had received, helped me to learn how to de-stress.  And I began to lose weight again. 

June, 2013 - I met with my team at the clinic and had successfully lost 6 lbs.  At this point I had dropped several volunteering responsibilities and had decided that this year is about improving my quality of life.  I realized that I need to take care of myself in order to take care of others.

Aug, 2013 - I met with the surgeon and they gave me the date of Sept. 16 for surgery.

Aug. 16, 2013 (3 days ago) - I spent the afternoon with 7 other bariatric patients (including Kelly and Carol) being educated on our new diet.  All 8 of us will have surgery within 2 months.  It hit me that this is going to be a massive and significant change in my life!!

Sept. 16, 2013 - Surgery at Victoria General Hospital, Winnipeg.

This was the short version.  More details to come!