iluvthesun

Hi Carolyn24seven, So glad to hear that your hubby is finally on board and that you got a date so quickly. I'll be thinking of you. I think I will print out a couple of the stories for him to read - good idea. So who will be doing your surgery? Are you doing a pre-op diet? I don't really understand why some Dr's include it and some don't. He said to me yesterday that he pictures me dying in Mexico if I go there for surgery, so maybe it is fear more than being a big jerk. He wants a Dr. to say I am a good candidate for surgery and then talk about the where. Maybe I will be able to book an appointment with someone in a private clinic somewhere just to do that part. I think it is more about him thinking the Dr. in Mexico or US will do it just for the money whether I am a good candidate or not.....I'm not really sure what he thinks you need to be / have to be a good candidate. Thanks for sharing your story, it is encouraging. Nancy

Thank you all so much for all your responses (even the blunt ones! haha). I really value your comments as people who have been there/done that and will be thinking hard about all of them. I talked to him today to let him know what I thought about his comments and he did acknowledge that he really didn't know anything about this surgery, etc. He would like to go to an information session, but you have to wait to even get invited to that. In large cities I'm not sure how often the sessions are held, but maybe if we are travellng I might be able to attend one somewhere sooner. I'm also not sure if any of the surgeons have information packages that explain everything? Did any of you get something like that? We have certainly had our issues in the past and worked through them so far (we've been together 25 years, married for 19). We are definetly the "opposites attract" example. While opposites might attract they are hell to live with! We live in a very small city where the job advancement opportunities are limited. In my job a promotion would be to move to Newfoundland, a promotion for him would be to move to Ontario. Who knows what the future will bring. I hope you all realize what a positive impact you have on others. Thanks again, Nancy

Hi Jeff, Great to hear from you. I enjoyed reading about your first 3 days in the blog. Sounds like they are taking good care of you. Good luck tomorrow, we'll be thinking of you and can't wait for your Mom's update. Nancy

Hi VegasAngel, Thanks for responding. Belated congrats for becoming a super moderater. You are always so good to respond to people and offer support. My husband was skinny until probably 10 years ago. Then he started to gain some weight (maybe an extra 20 - 30 pounds). He has lost & found those pounds several times....they are currently found. He bikes to work, rollerblades, plays softball, hockey, goes to the gym and for long walks - but he still has them. I think I'll take him to the grocery store and ask him to carry around a couple of 50 pound bags of potatoes - just to see how easy it is to get active when you are so heavy..... Maybe this is more about him - he should be able to do it......so I can do it. But obviously not exactly the same thing. An extra 30 pounds on 5'10" is spread out more than an extra 130 on 5'2". I agree this is too important for me to let go - just would be easier.....but then who ever said life was easy?? Nancy

Thanks so much Joanne. I hope he will come around. If not - I will try a friend or one of my sisters. Nancy

Thanks Helen. I'm happy to hear that your revision to sleeve surgery went well - you are doing great! Thanks also for the encouragement that eventually your family did come around to the idea. Because it could be such a long wait I haven't mentioned it to anyone but my husband yet (and of course the wonderful people here - thank heavens for this outlet). I'm not sure if I would get the same response from them or not....so I think I'll wait! PS - I would like to lose 128 pounds. Nancy

Thanks Judy - I got it now! One other question. I notice that many of the people who have gone to Mexico talk about "eating a nice supper" the night before surgery. Does that mean that you don't have to stay on a liquid diet for the evening meal before surgery? Nancy

Well a couple of months ago my Dr. suggested sleeve surgery and sent the referral to Nova Scotia. I mentioned it to my husband and his answer - I would prefer you do it on your own......but there is lots of time to think about it until we hear something from the Dr. So I have been busy reading, reading, researching on-line and love the idea of the surgery. I found out that the surgeon in NS has a 5 - 7 year wait, but it isn't a list, it is based on need. Mid August - good news, the Province has agreed to pay for the out of Province surgery....... As suggested by one of the Ontario people, I called the Provincial Coordinator to see if they pay for surgery in Cleveland since OHIP pays for it (they only waited 8 weeks for surgery). She said normally it is only for emergency procedures, not obesity. She asked if I knew the cost and again based on the info. from one of the Ontario people (thank you for sharing the info!) I said $34,000. She couldn't say for sure the cost of surgery in NS - but thought it was quite a bit cheaper.....so she didn't think it likely but said do the research & send it in for the medical director to review. So I'm thinking, okay - possibly 3 options: wait for NS, self pay to Mexico, maybe maybe come up with enough arguments to go to Cleveland... So I thought to myself - I should mention all this to my husband. His answer - you know I prefer you do it yourself......you aren't going to Mexico for surgery, "I won't allow it". Now you don't know me, but I'm not the shy retiring type so I started to laugh. He didn't think it was funny and said if I went I would find the door with a different lock and divorce papers. Then I suggested the US....hmmm it appears that it really isn't Mexico that is the problem - seems it is a money thing. I have a good job (I have been blessed in this and in many other ways), and my Mom recently gave me $5,000. My parents don't believe in leaving an inheritance, they want to share what they have now. When I reminded him of this, he moved onto his next argument - well the last time you wasted all that money at Herbal Magic taking those pills and you didnt' even try. EXCUSE ME?? Yes I took pills, yes it cost a lot and yes I gained it back - but I did try. I ate properly and exercised (I guess he missed that at the time). Plus he knows someone who had bariatric surgery and they gained it all back........ He doesn't think I should take the "easy" way out, but should do this on my own. I did explain that once you have the VSG you still need to "do it on your own" - eat properly, exercise, etc. - but that the tool won't allow me to eat the same quantities of the bad stuff like I did before. Yes I told him if I ate a bunch of ice cream and stuff I would gain weight. So....that is my story. He is stubborn & I am stubborn. He says - just wait for NS until you talk to the Dr. I say - I don't want to wait that long.... Hopefully this is like other times where he stews over it for a while and then becomes more reasonable. I'd appreciate any tips you can give on how to convince him (I asked would he do some research - nope.....he would just like to keep his head in the sand and I hope I forget). Thanks for hanging in there long enough to read all this. Nancy

Hi Judy, Glad to see you are home and doing well. Thanks so much for sharing all the details. It is so helpful to everybody doing their research. So the day before the surgery you flew in, had the testing done and then 1 night in a hotel. Next morning you had the surgery and stayed 2 nights in the hospital and then flew home. You said your husband travelled with you. Did he stay at the hotel for all 3 nights? Take care of yourself and work that sleeve! Nancy

Hello Ivy, Glad to see you are home safe and sound. Be sure to tell all....once you are feeling up to it. Take care, Nancy

Hi Jeff, So glad to see a post from you. I have been thinking about you. I thought that clip was pretty funny and showed my two sons (17, 14) - I'll have to check out the other seasons. I would love to check out your blog, can't wait to get the link. I'm sure it is helpful to have a spot to document everything that is happening. So, Oct. 8th - not long now, you must be so excited. Hang in there on the shakes, you'll be moved onto broths in no time. It must be so nice to have your Mom with you. Have you done anymore interviews? If so, maybe you can post the link to those also. Take care, Nancy

The price on the starter kit is excellent. $19.99 for so many different products. It sounds like they are full size cartons of regular product? I'm not sure if they ship to Canada but I will have to check it out. Nancy

Thanks for posting Stoongal. You sound like you were feeling pretty good if you were out on a 3 hour tour! Did you have much pain? It seems as if day 3 is the worst and you would have been in the recovery house. So 2 nights in hospital and 2 more at recovery house? Did you travel alone? If not - where did the person who went with you stay? I'm a real detail person and I ask lots of questions (drives my family crazy as you can imagine!). Glad to hear you are doing well. I bet your family was really happy to see you arrive back home - safe & sound, in one piece....well missing a piece.....you know what I mean!!:thumbup: Nancy

Hi Stoongal, I've been thinking of you and wondering how you got along. Did you make a post that tells all about your trip and such? I've been looking and didn't find one. Curious minds want to know! Nancy

Have you tried the other products? Do you like them? Please share. Nancy

Congrat Catherine! It was great to see all the details of your trip and surgery. I sent an e-mail to the Dr.'s office where I was referred in Nova Scotia (I live in Prince Edward Island) to see if they have any idea of time frames. On OH I have read people talking about 5 - 7 years...... Everytime I see a successful, happy returnee who self paid it makes me think....maybe.... Keep up the good work and take care, Nancy

Hi Jeff, Thanks for posting the links to your story. I googled baldrick (now that I see you have lots of hair and your name is Jeff!), and found this youtube link: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=328Q79GoR7g]YouTube - Blackadder II - Teaching Baldrick Mathematics[/ame] Is this the same baldrick?? Tom is obviously a very special person and I'm glad he reached out to help you. Good luck with your trip to the U.S. I live in PEI and I have been referred to NS for surgery with Dr. Ellsmere, however I hear the wait may be 5 or 6 years..... Keep posting so we know how you are getting along. Nancy

Hi Stoongal, Yes the Dr. in Halifax only does VSG's. The referral and approval from the Prov. didn't take much - but who knows how long the wait will be. It is such a small world. My husband's father was in the military in Summerside, then they went to BC and his last posting was - guess where.....Chatham, NB. That is actually where we met. I was working in the BCPO's office one summer while at University and staying at the campground in Loggieville (now a KOA) where he was working. So you graduated from James M. Hill? What year - if you don't mind me asking? So where are you having your surgery done? Nancy

I received a letter from the "out of Province" coordinator advising Dr. Ellsmere in Halifax, Nova Scotia that they have agreed to pay for the surgery. Now I wait to be contacted. On the Obesity Help forum people have indicated that it could be 5 - 7 years.....however the other patient that my Dr. sent waited less than 1 year. The hospital Q's & A's says there is no list, they evaluate each person to determine who to accept and when they will be scheduled. I was admitted to the hospital in a neighboring province last week and the neurologist said I had a small stroke called a Lacunar stroke due to untreated hypertension. However the CT scan was clear, so my family Dr. says there is no proof of a stroke so she is referring me to a PEI neurologist to get an MRI which could take months. it sounds strange and terrible to say, however I was thinking the upside of having a "small" stroke was that I might be a better candidate for VSG..... I still have tingling on the left side of my body which the neurologist said may be permanent. That may not be a bad thing if it reminds me of the stroke everytime I go to put something in my mouth - maybe I will make better choices... Other good news - I was down 10 pounds from when I saw my Dr. last month.......hospital food isn't that great! I did meet with the dietitian twice and I am now trying to eat according to Canada's food guide. I know it is mostly fluid (since the puffyness is gone from my feet) - but it is still nice to see the scale go down instead of up......

I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada. There is a hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia that is now doing these surgeries. My family Dr. has one other patient that has gone there and she has sent a request for the costs of the surgery to be covered by the Province. If approved I will need to attend a number meetings / interviews to see if I am a good candidate for the surgery. The process of getting approval and being accepted into the program may take 6 - 9 months, and then a wait for a surgery date. Since she sent in the request, I have been reading the boards. The information has been great. I haven't noticed anyone who has had the surgery performed in Canada, and I'm just wondering if anyone is out there? Thanks.