I won my surgery on the radio - it is 6 weeks from today and for the most part I am still excited. I don't have my first consult until next week so I really don't know much specific to my surgeon - just everything that I have learned from this forum.

Well, when you win on the radio, the station likes to let everyone know over and over again who won the contest, so my name has been on the radio many, many times. I live in a pretty small town, so most people know your business anyway, but it seems sort of strange that people start talking to me about my surgery and I really don't know anything yet. I try to explain the best I can and hope they understand it all. It just seems strange.

Then, there is the part of me worrying that I won't be successful in this attempt. I have gained and lost so many pounds it is hard to keep track of it all. Since so many people know they will be watching to see how I do, which I won't mind if I am successful, but you always worry that you will be the one it doesn't work for. I know I am rambling, there are just so many unknowns right now

Plus, once I have the surgery the radio station and the newspaper want to follow how I do. It just seems so unreal, I guess waiting two months after I won to do the surgery may not have been the best idea, but we leave for vacation in two weeks and then I have to do the two week liquid pre-op so I really couldn't schedule it much sooner. I didn't really want to do shakes while camping in Florida.

Well, winning was a great big blessing because I wouldn't be able to do it any other way, so me being a little uncomfortable being in the spotlight is a small price to pay for such a great gift.

I am stepping off my soap-box now. Thanks for listening.

Deena :thumbup:

I probably need to talk to an accountant to start planning ahead for next year. Better safe than sorry.

I had to take out a loan to pay for the taxes on the Explorer but don't even think about that now. You have more than 13 months before you even have to think about it.

Concentrate on your surgery; being thin and healthy!

Thats's unreal. I can't believe you have to pay tax on something you win. Takes the joy out of winning doesn't it? It is also very discriminatory as what happens if you cannot afford to pay the tax? This would mean only the rich would benefit , poor people wouldn't be able to afford to win anything.

One of the weirder things to win on a radio show if you ask me... but yay you! I would love to have been in your shoes. On the upside, people's attention spans are pretty short so, while there's all this hype right now, it should die down fairly quickly as something newer and cooler comes up.

Move to Canada. Winnings are tax-free.