I've told 3 people that I'm doing this. None of them are related to me... with of course the exception of my husband who is coming along with me.
I told my trainer because she needed to know why I wouldn't be letting her kick my ass for the next 2 months. I told my best friend and I told a woman at work because I trust her and she's trusting me too with something.
I don't want to tell my family. I don't want to tell my boss. I don't want to tell my co-workers... even the ones that could really benefit from this procedure. Frankly I'm afraid they'll look at me like I took the easy way out, or that I didn't really need it because I'm not "that" big.
I know I'm confident in this decision and I know that I did months of research into my doctor and into the procedure itself. I know what a huge decision this is and how its a forever choice. There are a few people that will judge me. I know this.
There are a few that have seen me lose weight in the past. How did I do it? Insane amount of exercise and food deprivation. Why did I not keep it off? Who the fuck knows... its as though all I have to do is think about a food not on my diet and I gain the weight back. Did I continue to exercise like a maniac? No. That's not long term sustainable anyway. But I also didn't eat like a person that hasn't seen food in a month either. There is something wrong with how my body works. losing and regaining the same weight over and over for 15 years, isn't good for me and its destroyed my metabolism. This surgery will allow me to eat small amount of healthy food, exercise in moderation and lose weight. More importantly, it will hinder my body's built in broken famine mechanism that allows me to regain even on a very healthy 1400 calories/day diet.
THAT, I'm looking forward to. And when I start to tell people, that is what I'm focusing on. My new ability to keep the weight off. And if they are negative? Screw em. It's my body and my health I'm fighting for here.... not theirs. :)
Hey I went to Tijuana nearly a year ago, and had VSG with Dr. Almanza (from reading your posts sounds like you may be going there too) I had a great experience. My mom came with me as hubby could not get time off work. My mom watched the entire procedure on a monitor outside the room, she was very impressed with the hospital and the surgeon. It is very different from a hospital in Canada, however, it was clean, and they took great care of me.
ReplyDeleteI have lost 75 pounds since surgery. After surgery within about 2 weeks I could eat mostly mushy foods. If I were you stock up on something like apple sauce (natural) or Jello you like, or something. I absolutely HATE the taste of Splenda and artificial sweeteners, and I know that is what is recommended but seriously it gives me gag reflex, so I ate fruit juice, and real sugar Jello.
You will feel like a million bucks after just a few weeks! I am now nearly 6 months pregnant, so my weight loss has stagnated (for obvious reasons) I eat more now, just because I know its good for baby, (I eat about 6 meals and 2 small snacks a day) my total daily calorie intake is probably only about 1500-1600. I have not gained any weight so far in pregnancy.
Also I wanted to refer you (I tried to do this on VSG but I can't remember my password and the dumb thing won't let me reset it) to Alberta Health Care. Since I see you are in Etown. Get an itemized receipt from your doctor (surgeon) indicating all the cost breakdown, so if you are paying $5000 or whatever, just don't have them write that as the total for surgery or AHC will send the forms back to you for a breakdown. Anyway when you get home and you feel up to is, complete FORM AHC0934 - Out Of Country Health Services Claim Form. Send it in and you should receive money back from AHC since you had to have the work done outside the country. You DO NOT need an Alberta Doctor to sign off that you needed the procedure. You have 1 year from surgery to send it in. I received $1352 back from them for mine... so worth the time and effort to fill out the form and mail it in. :) Hope that helps and enjoy your journey. I am WANT on the VSG Forum.
Thank you so much for that info! I knew I could claim a % on my taxes, but this is even better! Can't wait for next week!
ReplyDeleteWill you claim it on taxes as a medical expense? I never thought of doing that??? Just filed mine for last year too! What a bummer, I am going to add in the cost and see how much more money I should of gotten back, and maybe I will send a revision in... although I think you can carry unused medical forward, so maybe I'll wait till next year. Thanks for the tip. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, my coordinator told me I could claim it as a medical expense. You only get a % but heck, its better than nothing! Looks like we both learned how to get some extra cash back!
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