Expert: Diminishing Dawn - 4/2/2010

Question
QUESTION: This really isn't a question as such.  I will be seeing the nurse at the Windsor Assessment Center on April 5:  the doctor on April 12 and go to a seminar? on April 15. Once I have completed all my initial appointments what happens next?  I would like to have the surgery done in Guelph.  I have read that Dr. Reed is excellent.  Can you tell me anything about him.  Also, do you know the the wait time?  I guess I did have some questions.
Thanks
Marsha

ANSWER: Hi Marsha,

The Windsor Centre has a team approach which means that you will have a barrage of appointments and you will need to meet all the team's criteria before you will have your surgery. You'll go through medical clearances, visit the social worker, physiotherapist, doctors, nutritionist etc.  You'll get monitored, given a program to follow (such as a specific diet from the nutritionist). They will tell you their requirements at the first meeting of what they want you to do and your success determines how many follow ups you will need until they will give you a "pass" to go on for surgery.

Dr. Reed is excellent. He's been around for EONS!!! That's the best thing that I can tell you about him - that he has a TON of experience as he has done this surgery for a long time! His team also includes Dr. Hong and Dr. Perriera Hong from Oregon who were trained in the states.

The wait time is very you-specific. Again, it depends on how you follow the guidelines given from the team.  Obviously if you are not diet compliant etc, it will take longer.  There is no "set time".  Also, the more medically necessary the surgery is for you/not, also determines how long the process will be.

Have you been to your local support group???

diminishingdawn@cogeco.ca

Most people take around 6 months to a year. It's worth the wait!

Dawn

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I ws waiting to see when I would get started on the assessment.  There is a meeting I believe the last Monday of each month so I plan on attending the April one.  I'm as nervous about all of this and wish the wait time was shorter.  Do you know roughly how many appointments I will have with the people in Windsor?
Thanks
Marsha

Answer
Sorry but I have no definitive number for you. Again, it really varies person to person. When I went for an orientation for Windsor, they would not disclose that to the patients.  

If you'd like to specifically talk with other patients and see what their wait was like you can visit:

www.obesityhelp.com/forums/ON

But again, it varies.

Dawn