DivineMissM

You need to know what your medical services plan covers, but things like a Roux en Y is completely covered, just like any surgery of that nature. Your GP would be able to confirm this for you. I know lots of people go to Mexico for their surgery, however, I would not be one of them. I would much prefer to have surgery here, where I know that the Standards of practice are the best in the world. Yes, we have issues in our medical system, but having worked overseas, and seen what goes on in other countries, my choice is here in Canada. We enjoy a very high standard of care here.

If it makes anyone feel any better, typically post op day 3-4 are the worst days, NO MATTER WHAT SURGERY YOU HAVE. So, just give yourself some time for your body to adjust.. even though you dont' have big incisions in your belly, INSIDE there has been some major changes. So be kind to yourself. Rest, take your pain meds, Walk. Do as the nurse tells you to do ( being a nurse, I just HAD to put this in..). Things will get better. And your new life waits! Goodness knows I am so excited about my future! Its all good. Hang in there.

That's excellent news!! Congrats!! I will be interested in hearing about your journey!

In BC, the gastric band costs $15K. The VSG is covered under the Medical Services Plan.

I'm Marcy, and I am in Victoria. I am scheduled for Nov of this year with Dr. Samaad Malik for a sleeve gastrectomy. Really looking forward to this! I have my scope done in a few weeks time, then pulse oximetry, internal medicine and my cardiologist... its going to be a busy couple of months. I shopped around to find the best tasting protein drink-- Whey Iso Burst in French Vanilla.. I am all set now.. oh, and did you know that GNC has a big sale on right now? check it out and stock up! I am an OR nurse, so if you have questions, I am happy to help... Everythign is easier when done together!

You know what's wierd? The times that I have had to have surgery, I was nervous up until they took me to the OR. Once I got in the OR, I had a real sense of calmness around me. I think because I have complete confidence in the people I work with. I know they are going to do the very best they can to ensure I have safe care. I really get a sense of control and I know that all patients are treated with dignity. I would not have it any other way...and they know it.

I am a big believer in positive affirmation. If you truly believe that things will go well, I honestly do not know that they will go that way.. but this much I will tell you. If you go into surgery thinking you are doing the wrong thing and thinking you are going to die... you are doing yourself a disservice. I am an OR nurse, and I have seen patients who believe the worst. And they are never disappointed. I even had one patient who kept saying she was going to die... and she did. So please, try to be positive. Picture yourself as being healthy and thinner. Picture yourself wearing that cute little dress you saw in the magazine. Get yourself into the mind set of positivity. Bring gratitude and joy into your life and it will permeate thru all aspects of your life. Yeah, surgery is scary. But believe me the doctors and the nurses are there for you and for you alone. YOU ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN THE ROOM. Remember that. Life is good, and you are going to set the bar for yourself! You can do this!!

OK.. so I just found this site and I think this might be a good thing for me. Its been a wild couple of years for me. I got a virus in my heart and wound up with a cardiac defibrillator. I was off work for 6 months in total. My blood pressure was giving me grief, way too low, then it would spike.. so my cardiologist did some investigations and discovered I had an adrenal tumour. It was secreting way too much adrenalin. So I had a Lap Adrenalectomy. No one told me that a side effect would be a weight gain. Yeah, I am older---55, so I anticipated that losing weight was not going to be fun.. but I was shocked at how much weight and how fast I gained it. Earlier this year, I was the heaviest I had ever been..310 . Life was really weighing down on me... unhappy marriage, unhappy with myself.. I started thinking about a sleeve.. One of the surgeons ( did I tell you I am an OR nurse?), so one of the surgeons who does WLS did a presentation for the local OR nursing group. It was a life changer for me. He doesn't do everyone who asks for it. You have got to really commit! His criteria? Lose 10% of your body weight. Keep a journal of your food, exercise, water. My cardiologist put me onto Fitness Pal... what a great site. I even went to Australia for a month and did not gain weight! Came home, kicked my husband out ( cheater) and got busy. I had an appointment to see my surgeon at the end of July. OK!! Since then I have lost 25 pounds.. down to 285. I am really excited to have the LSG done. And excited to find this site to help me along the way!!

I am new to this forum and am waiting for my surgery in a couple of months. RE the hair loss... It's only hair. It will grow back. I know, because 2 years ago I got quite sick with a virus in my heart and lost a lot of hair. I thought for a while I would just shave my head, but then wouldn't you know, Britney Spears did it, and I did not want people to think I was copying her! LOL!! Anyways, my hair all grew back. Its a side effect from the protein loss, apparently.. so take heart. Look at it from the perspective of someone who supports breast cancer! You are alive, and getting healthier every day! Rejoice in that aspect!