This last year has been horrendous health wise. I had some heart issues just over a year ago that put me in the hospital for 9 days, it's just been a mess of medications, side effects, pain and just plain bad health since then.

I'm on 8 different medications, some of which cause weight gain. I've gained over 70 lbs in the last year. It's out of control.

I live in pain from a combination of the arthritis in my foot and plantar fasciatis. I'm newly diagnosed with diabetes. Went for my diabetic eye check on tues and there's signs of early damage. The combination of Calcium channel blockers and diclofenac and I'm sure the weight have caused pitting edema in my calves. I come home at night and I can press my hand into my leg like a memory foam mattress.

I've tried to diet all year. I lose 20, I gain 25, I loose 40, I gain 50. I'm DONE! I requested a consult here for bariatric surgery (and here's where Canadian health care sucks), my consult is booked for may of 2013, with surgery expected 2-4 yrs after that. So I've decided to take things in my own hands and pay for it myself.

This isn't something I take lightly. I've researched it, and Drs. Decided on the type I want, vertical sleeve gastrectomy, and then wrestled with myself for months over the guilt of spending this kind of money on myself. But when I think about how much we waste every year on just plain crap, I'm thinking my health is worth it.

I will be going to Mexico for the surgery. I'm comfortable with my choice, and I'm very excited to have it done. I want this life long struggle to be over. I've tried, and I've had some big successes (lost 108 lbs about 4 yrs ago) but in the end the weight always wins. This time I win, permanently and forever!

So the date is booked, deposit paid, and flights booked and paid for. I'm bringing a friend with. Me for moral and physical support. My husband is trying to be supportive but I think he's pretty scared given my history with surgeries which hasn't been great.

My own dr knows about this and while cautious with the Mexico part, understands why I'm doing it, and is helping me set up a nutritionist to make sure I'm getting the Protein and nutrients I need when I get back.

So that's it. September 15, 80-90% of my stomach will be removed. And this time next year it's feasible that I could be off all these drugs and be back to enjoying life.

Insert soon to be weightloss ticker here

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Shari

Congratulations on starting life anew! Wow, I don't think I would be waiting that long either! That's just crazy! Hope all goes well for you!

^{I so relate to how you feel. Congradulations on your date.}

Congratulations to you on making this choice. Never feel guilty about doing something for yourself. It took me a long time to realize that I would stop at nothing to do something for anyone in my family, but not so much for myself. It's about time that we realize that we are important.

Good luck to you! I'm sure you'll do great.