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Will post more details later- but Dr. Wharton is moving to a Hamilton location and Dr. Berlingieri will stay in Burlington. The names are changing too. Last few times I have been it has been pretty crowded.
Dr. Wharton was quite excited about the movie- he hinted that they would have lots more stuff for patients and he wanted to give them more attention, etc.
Posted by Linda J. - Weight Loss Using Diet, Exercise and Meridia as Canadian Bariatric Clinic at 2:14 PM EDT
Dr. Sean Wharton of the Canadian Bariatric Clinic’s next set of free lectures is next week, Wed. March 26, 2008. You can go to his website and see exact times , dates, location, etc.
Have you been to one of his lectures? I am curious to hear what other’s think.
If you are a patient at the Canadian Bariatric Clinic I HIGHLY recommend you go to one of these. If you have gone before and think it will be just the same thing -try going again. I have gone 3 or 4 times and yes some of it is repeated- however each time I have understood something at a deeper level or walked away feeling more motivated.
If you are just new to the weight loss “program” you really HAVE to go. There is no way for him to give you all this information in a 20 minute visit. Dr. Wharton talks about the importance of eating and what kinds of foods to eat and why.
I think if I had not forced myself to go to that 1st lecture, which I write in my post, Changing My Mind About The Canadian Bariatric Clinic( and lest you think I was always a cheerleader for the clinic- think again!) , I would be 40 lbs heavier than I am now… ( and with an undiagnosed thyroid issue) . It was at my first lecture that I “got it” and also was convinced that Sen was sincere in his efforts to help obese people and not just looking to make a quick buck or a name for himself. Dr. Wharton is an excellent speaker.
I have also heard the nutritionist speak and although it can be a bit dry, you will learn something.
At my last appt. Dr. Wharton mentioned that a company, Beneficium Foods, is giving away samples of their high protein low calorie foods and snacks. I will check them out and report back!
At my first lecture Dr. Wharton had a table set up with veggies an dip and basket of apples, water- and was encouraging every one to eat. Must have been a very odd experience for most of us- who all weight in at 300lb+ range and have not had people asking us to eat for a LONG time! I know it was a bizarre experience for me.
Dr. Wharton is very big on giving away free stuff when he can- last visit he was giving out pedometers from Boost. I think he likes giving people options and help them succeed. I know that money is always tight at the clinic ( as they are funded by OHIP) and I was glad to see he has a “sponsor” for his lectures.
Posted by Linda J. - Weight Loss Using Diet, Exercise and Meridia as Canadian Bariatric Clinic at 9:35 AM EDT
I am weighing in consistently at 282 lbs. This is lowest I have weighed in over 8 years. I know most people would be aghast at that weighing- but I am safely out of the 300 zone! I still can’t believe I was 318 lbs a few months ago.
I am anxious to get below that 280 mark- thought I wold do it by this morning but had a weird weekend- we were snowed in ( like every one else) and I have been sloppy again about food. I have been nibbling bits and bites of so-called forbidden foods. The worst habit I have picked up is going into grocery store with bulk bin… getting bits of skor bar and last week one or two pieces of fudge (!!!!)
I guess in my mind I think if it comes in small bag it doesn’t count. I did mention to Dr. Wharton that this compulsion came from a place of sabotage and not one of hunger or wanting comfort.
At my last visit with Dr. Wharton some test results came back and my thyroid was showing some problems- looked like it was over active. I believe number was 9.8 and normal range is 1.5-5.5 We redid test efore I went away and I phoned and discussed second test results- which were still bit high ( I *THINK* 5.8 ) but just over the normal range- so he will re-do again.
Part of me was relieved that maybe my issue was medical but now I am happy that I don’t have a chronic medical condition.
I keep promising pics- but this I mean it- I will!!!!
Posted by Linda J. - Weight Loss Using Diet, Exercise and Meridia as Canadian Bariatric Clinic, Daily Posts at 12:40 PM EDT
I have been travelling overseas and had no access to Internet- wanted to do a quick update. I saw Dr. Wharton at the Canadian Bariatric Clinic just before I left. Over all I am doing well. As expected no dramatic weight loss in last few weeks. I was up and down over November/December and took off about 8 lbs in January. Here in Mid-February I think I have “just”maintained. I am travelling all over the place and trying to watch what I eat. I did bring my magic bullet and protein powder as well as 3 cases of protein bars and they have been a life saver. I have not been able to weigh myself. Judging my my clothes I am doing fine, though.
My visit with Dr, Sean Wharton went well- he s very uplifting and encouraging. I also has measurements taken and lost 5 inches from my waist- which is now 41 inches ..my hips are 55 inches.
I have received several e-mails from people just starting at Canadian Bariatric Clinic and seeing Dr. Wharton for the first time and they have found my posts helpful Some of the comments have been quite touching- I am very pleased to be of any support.
I was where you were 5 months ago…. every journey begins with that first step!
Posted by Linda J. - Weight Loss Using Diet, Exercise and Meridia as Canadian Bariatric Clinic at 10:37 PM EST
I am so immersed in Christmas stuff I never really did post about my last visit with Dr. Sean Wharton at the Canadian Bariatric Clinic in Burlington.
I spent 30 seconds- maybe less with Derek. You basically weighed me and punched something in computer. No discussion of any kind. He must have been late for his lunch . I am sorry to say this- but I don’t have a lot of confidence in his abilities.. he does seem a bit dazed and out of his element. He is not some I would confide
Dr. Wharton was his usual enthusiastic self. He is quite remarkable and passionate. I wonder what his motivation his in helping treat obesity- you just can’t fake that kind of passion.
We chatted for quite a while about the Meridia- I did ask if I could get some sleeping pills to help get some sleep- answer was resounding no. He said it could cause more problems then it would solve and give it a bit more time and the sleep issues might go away on their own, I had noticed I am not waking up so early any more. Can’t GET to sleep by can stay asleep Before I was getting to sleep at 3/4/5 am and wide awake at 7-8. No I can easily sleep until 10-ish.
Last couple of weeks have actually been better and sleep has been easier. So I am glad I didn’t go with any kind of a sleep aid. He did say that Melatonin was okay to try. I though I had some in medicine cabinet but I must have tossed.
Dr. Wharton was also quite encouraging about my weight loss. I have been quite down. I was on such a roll and really stagnated. 3 weeks ago i weighed in at 284 and later that night jean felt snug…. next morning I weighed 292. I do NOT know how that happened so quickly. The weight didn;t come off easily, either. I thought it might be a temporary fluctuation.. but nope.
So I am at 286 today. Lost 9 pounds in 6 weeks. I know I am on track and Dr. Wharton wants you to lose about a pound a week but the pounds were just MELTING away before :(
He also recommended I try the Detour bars and gave me sample of Boost liquid meal replacement for Diabetics to try.. ( yuk!)
He suggested increasing or make sure I get enough protein and that was key to cravings.
I admit I have been bad with the protein. The bars help A LOT.
Posted by Linda J. - Weight Loss Using Diet, Exercise and Meridia as Canadian Bariatric Clinic at 12:25 PM EST
I saw Dr. Sean Wharton this week at the Canadian Bariatric Center - one of the things we discussed was food cravings/feeling full and getting enough protein. I am pretty much vegetarian except for the odd bit of chicken and find it hard to get enough protein.
I have been eating ALOT of protein and meal replacement bars- the one I like are from Wal-Mart, the Equate Chocolate Peanut caramel bar and Pria bar. They are about 250 calories in one bar. Dr. Wharton told me his patients like the Detour
Posted by Linda J. - Weight Loss Using Diet, Exercise and Meridia as Canadian Bariatric Clinic, Food and Snacks at 12:36 PM EST
My last visit to the Canadian Bariatric clinic was mid October- and when I was there is it was just for stress test, so i haven’t really talked to anyone for about 6 weeks. i think this is WAY too long. Too much time to go without any support or encouragement.
I got into a real funk over the weekend and saw the scales go all over the place. Was at 284- a record low- Sunday morning and wearing those Lands End size 22 jeans and almost wore them out but thought they wouldn’t be that comfortable on a long drive. The yesterday I put them on and felt like a giant sausage about to BLOW and went on scales and it read a DEPRESSING 291. So was a 7 lb increase in 24 hours?? Not sure how that happened.
So no pictures for right now until I am at 285.
Going to the Canadian Bariactric clinic later this week. Not suyre what they can do for me- I pretty much KNOW what is going on:
- not keeping proper daily food journals ( okay- I have stepped this up last few days
- Not eating first thing in the morning. I was religious about this up until recentely.. I get up and get a tea and sit at PC for a bit and then next thing i know an hour has gone by. I did bring an apple with me last couple of times and being more conscientious of it.
- eating food that I know will set me in a tail spin, I made the kids some Advent Calendars- suing these Hershey kisses and other Candy and I have been grabbing a chocolate kiss here and there the last couple of days- maybe 5 or 6 in last 4 days .. not a big deal but it makes it harder to turn down other foods. I have FORCED myself not to buy those Almond Meringues at Costco that only have 30 calories. I LIE to myself that i will not eat half the box in one day.. So I just do not buy.
- Sloppy with food counts. Like eating 90 grams protein and 30 grams protein. I have REALLY gone off meat and can’t seem to make it up other ways. I normally only eat chicken and no red meat but even chicken hard. I am relying heavily on meal Replacement bars to get protein. I will have to make a point of making protein shakes with fruit in the mornings from now on.
Any words of encouragement from you guys would be great!
Posted by Linda J. - Weight Loss Using Diet, Exercise and Meridia as Canadian Bariatric Clinic, Daily Posts at 12:46 AM EST
One of the first things that Dr. Wharton and staff (Canadian Bariatric Clinic) STRONGLY suggests is to buy a scale - specifically the Salter Nutrition Kitchen Nutriweigh scale. He even sells them at his office. They sell them for 125.00. Yes it is a lot for a food scale. This scale will also tell you the exact nutritional values of the food you are weighing tho. If you plunk down a piece of fish it will weigh it and tel you how many calories/protein.fat, etc. are in THAT piece of fish. Pretty neat,eh? The scale looks a bit like a smaller laptop and it quite thin and portable. I keep meaning to get one. I have been pretty sloppy about recording in my food journal lately.
This is what scale looks like:
Posted by Linda J. - Weight Loss Using Diet, Exercise and Meridia as Canadian Bariatric Clinic, Diet and Weight Loss Tools at 12:35 PM EDT
I went for me third visit yesterday. I should say at this point that I am RARELY wrong when assessing people and situations- and this turn out to be a time when my initial impression was way off base. I was wrong. I will write later about it- just to say that my initial skepticism has proven unfounded. Dr. Wharton is the real deal.
I went to my 3rd visit at Canadian Bariatric Clinic lead by Dr. Sean Wharton. I had an ECG test and breath test. Went very smoothly and took very little time. Technician quite friendly.
Saw Derek, whose role I am not 100% sure of… My best guess is that he inputs what I tell him into a computer to save Dr. Wharton time. There are not many question he is able to answer- most because of legal reasons. He also does not seem that knowledgeable in general- he has admitted to being new to the field. he is amiable and friendly however and if you are the type that is nervous to get weighed or discuss food issues he is very non-threatening.
Weigh-in- Was disappointed. As i thought the other scales at family doctors office are not in sync.. so I am at 301. Which means from last visit at CBC ( Canadian Bariatric Clinic) I am down about 7 lbs.
I then saw Dr. Wharton- I often have to resist calling him Sean, as he is quite open and warm. When I fist met him last month I thought him disingenuous but I think I misread his motives. He really is THAT passionate and committed to his work and does not have the air of arrogance that most medical professionals to carry.
I was unusually chatty and wired at the visit. I have extreme sensitivity to caffeine and mistakenly had a non-decaf tea earlier in the day- so I talked doctors ear off…
Key Points:
I asked about headaches that I thought might becoming from Meridia- he suggested I try drinking more water- that it could be toxins being released as I lose weight.
he did also ask if I would like to be part of weight loss support group he is starting up soon. I eagerly agreed.
Insomnia: I am having a rough time with not sleeping. Some night I can get to sleep but wake up early.. other I can’t get to sleep easily and worst nights- both. I wonder if headaches are from loss of sleep. Dr. Wharton said that if they side effects continue to be a problem then at some point we could look at stopping the Meridia.
Bizarre Dreams: He mentioned this was probably because of the poor quality of sleep.
We then talked about some non- weightless related stuff and had quite a long visit. I left energized.
Posted by Linda J. - Weight Loss Using Diet, Exercise and Meridia as Canadian Bariatric Clinic, Meridia Weight Loss Drug at 12:57 PM EDT
I realized i didn’t put up diet that doctor suggested. Initially my Family doctor said try a low glycemic diet and basically when I look at diet Dr. Wharton obesity specialist at Canadian Bariatric Clinic) recommends it is very similar.
He initially asked I go on 1500 calorie a day to lose 1lbs a week. Yes- he wants you to lose only 1lb. a week! I have been averaging about 3 , however. ( Note: on 3rd visit correction as made- there was an input error made and I should be on 1800 calories a day- 700 calorie deficit, and was never meant to on 1500 kcals)
I have been aiming for 1500-1800 calories a day. I should aim for 30g of fibre ( harder think you think), 90 grams protein and 200 grams carbohydrate.
He also feels it is IMPERATIVE to eat throughout the day and to not go long periods without food or your body will go into “starvation mode” and your metabolism will drop. The best thing you can do is to eat something when you wake up.
Snack between meal ( about 1/2-1 hour before meal) and to avoid fruit juices.
In order to meat the nutritional requirements it is VERY difficult to eat white flour and lots of sugar.
My daily diet is broken down like this
breakfast:250 calories
snack: 150
Lunch: 350
snack: 100
Dinner: 500
snack: 150
A HIGH fibre cereal is a MUST if you have any hope of getting in 30 grams a day! I have been having Fiber1 which has 12 grams. Also with 1% milk and decaf tea in the morning. I will usually have a clementine or apple as well.
snack: almost always fruit or yogurt or both depending on the calories in fruit. I also carry a nutritional bar in purse so if I am out and don;t have acces to food will eat that- and drink with water!
lunch: I sometimes forget to eat so i will have a meal replacement shake, pretty much always vanilla flavour with frozen strawberries. Will also have sliced chicken sandwich with fruit and glass of milk.
other snacks- lower fat popcorn ( good for fiber) , raw veggies and low fit dip- either homemade or store bought.
dinner- I can usually eat what family is eating. I have found trying to eat more vegetarian meals is good way to reduce calories and increase fiber. So chicken, veggies, whole wheat pasta with lean or turkey meatballs, I tend to make a lot of Indian food as well… not for everyone but you can easily replace chicken with lentils and or chick peas. We eat a lot of basmati rice as well.
Any other thoughts? Would love to hear them!
Posted by Linda J. - Weight Loss Using Diet, Exercise and Meridia as Canadian Bariatric Clinic, Food and Snacks, Glycemic Index Diet at 10:41 AM EDT
