Sweetums

I know, once I hit 200lbs I knew I had to do something. I am trying to protect myself from diabetes, heart disease, and joint replacements in the future, but Alberta isnt working from a preventative medicine perspective, Just a reactive perspective. I would also like to add that I have visited my family physician and she is very supportive with me leaving the country to obtain medical care, She has informed me that she has had about a dozen patients obtain barriatric surgery in Mexico this year. That was important to me, because she has agreed to follow me post op. I believe its very important to be open and honest with my family physician, and had she said she thought it was a bad idea, I think my decision would have been different. I am going to see Dr. Oritz in three weeks! I have done more than enough research. I did look into additional travel insurance, however it is quite cost prohibitive. From what I have been able to find, regular travel insurance will not cover you if you are going down there for surgery. There are a few companies that will provide coverage for Medical Tourism, but the policy is spendy spendy. My plan, is at any sign of trouble, is to get on a plane, and get to a hospital at the first point of entery into Canada. I know this plan is inherently flawed, however its the best one I can come up with. The complication rate for my surgery is less than % and my surgeon's record is pretty good. My biggest concern is if I am one of the few that does develop complications. If anyone has a better idea, im open to suggestions.

Thats Crazy weight loss for one month!! I am proud of you!! Congratulations. Go You Go!!!

Hi, How were you able to get reimbursed through Alberta Health? I have been through the weight wise program here in Fort McMurray but didnt have a high enough BMI for the Optifast program nor surgery. I have decided to book for Mexico, and will be going down in July! I am classified as obese, but not obese enough... LMAO

Thanks everyone, I think that I will explore my employer health benefits to see if they will cover the cost of a therapist. There are no barriatric surgery centers in my area, so I am kind of at a loss for the support groups! Thanks PDX man, I was reading the other post, but that one seems to be more about food triggers. I just think, when I quit smoking I chewed gum or candy when the urge to smoke hit. So now that I want to quit food, what do I do when the urge to eat hits? While therapy will help identify the triggers for my eating, will it give me hints on things to do to stop the cravings?

Yes, the active ingredient in Tylenol is acetaminophen. Its brand name vs. Generic

I choose Dr. Ortiz for many of the reasons you have stated. While plication is still an investigational procedure, I like the preliminary studies I have read. I noticed that some people take about the gerhilin? sp. receptors remaining in the stomach with the plication, but not with the VSG. My only thought on that is, I honestly can not remember the last time I was hungry. That is why I am fat... LOL. I am going down in July. I cant wait!

So, Ive made the leap and booked surgery. I have had a 20 year struggle with my weight, up and down and I just want to be free. I am fully aware if my head hunger problem and have been quite introspective and trying to deal with this prior to having surgery. I was reading an article last night that really hit home, when it indicated that sometimes we over eat and keep ourselves fat in order to have an excuse not to step out of our comfort zone, avoiding rejection by not dating, standing on the sidelines of life from fear of failure. My last successful "diet" I lost 100 lbs, worked out like a deamon, met a man, fell in lust, fast froward two years, had a terrible ending to the relationship, and now have gained 80 lbs back. I know I dont date because I fear being rejected all over again. So, how do you deal after surgery, what tips and techniques have you used to bring yourself over from the fat side? How do you let go of the fears? Thoughts?