I applied to be in the Bariatric Nutritional program put on through our hospital Health Sciences North back in April. Leading up to a routine visit to my GP I had a plan in place. I had done my research, had my info printed out and had rehearsed what I was going to say. Turns out I didn't need any of it. I requested that my GP refer me to the Bariatric Program. He asked if I wanted to do the surgery program (where they either input a sleeve in your stomach or they staple part of it off, making it super small). I quickly (and I mean quickly) declined the surgery route. No amount of words on this screen could possibly make you understand the level of fear I have with the prospect of any kind of surgery. His response... a very direct "good, because it's something I don't recommend for you". Whew. He asked if I knew what the program entails, I advised that yes, I just watched my Dad complete the entire program and saw what good it did for him. The doc filled out my referral and faxed it off. Let the nervous excitement begin!
Within a few weeks I received my package from the hospital in the mail. With a boatload of info to complete! Let's do this! I scheduled an appointment with my GP again so that he could complete his part of the paperwork in June, completed my blood work (I detest that almost as much as surgery) and faxed off the paperwork to the hospital. I this point I proceeded to stalk the mailman and haunt my answering machine until August when the call finally came that I made it into the program! Sweet Baby Jesus and I thought I was nervous before!!
I had my first orientation on August 30th, 2016.... I'll fill you in on that one next...
