stoongal

I live in Canada and have always felt blessed that I am never out of pocket for any medical expenses (plastic surgery and sleeve WLS are the only things that come to mind as they are elective) And even those, if they were a health issue (co-morbidities, eyelid infections) would be covered. As a senior in Saskatchewan the most I ever pay for any prescrition drug is $15. Period! We go to the dr's for most any symptom except for colds and it is all free to us. (Yes i know our taxes really do the paying, but it is for every Canadian, regardless of income) I have had three children, 2 cataracts removed, an ovarian cyst removal, a carpal tunnel surgery, 2 full knee replacements, and eyelid surgery - at no extra cost to me. My husband only has had a hiatal hernia repair, lucky guy, but we are getting on and it is great to know we are covered no matter what! Wait times have been drastically reduced these last few years, and I can make an appointment with my dr. with only a days notice. In a real rush - we have medical clinics staffed by Drs. round the clock. So when your president says that funded health care is the main issue, I have to agree with him. For every individual - it really matters! Thank God we already have ours. Donna

I will be there on the 27th and my sleeve operation is the 28th with Dr, Almanza Reyes. Probably will see you there, then. When do you get admitted in to the condos? Donna

Gosh that is good news, Carol, hope I do as well in 4 months post op as you, but will be happy with any weight loss. Lucky you with no problems! I don't anticipate any either, but reading many posters here I realize there indeed could be some! Better health - here we come! Better looks would be a bonus!

Yes, thanks Donna, (I am a Donna too) Another coincidence, I am being sleeved Sept 28th as well! but with Dr Almanza. My son in law still says "crazy" whenever the subject comes up, guess we will have to prove them wrong, huh? I do want more time on this earth - I have an adorable 2 1/2 yr old granddaughter that I want so much to see grow up, and I really would like to live longer that my husband who is a year my junior and no weight or health issues. so we should keep in touch with our ups and downs, OK?

I haven't had the sleeve yet, but have gone thru a lot of insomnia - what with arthritis, knee surgeries etc. Hard to sleep with pain, plus I am an older lady and that doesn't help either. One thing that really works for me, that is replacing Melatonin. I buy the Extra Strength easy dissolve (under the tongue kind) by Weber Naturals and take one at bedtime. Inexpensive and worth a try. Even regular strength would help, the pills are very tiny - easy to swallow. Wish I had your energy, hope to get some of mine back with weight loss! Cheers!

You look fabulous! He will be amazed at your petit size! Thanks for sharing, it is inspirational!

Ivy, OMG!! Where are you having the surgery? Call me! 244 1452! Donna I must apologize, I jumped the gun and assumed that the flight they would choose for me would be the least expensive and the two stops each way is what I found to be the best seat sale. BUT, Shirley found me a shorter duration one with United so am not going to be as long flying home as originally believed. And only one stop in Denver! Thanks to all your suggestions I will incorporate any of them as needed! Bless you all for your help!

Oh yes, I am very good at asking for assistance. Flew last year to Ottawa from Saskatoon here last May and had just had knee replacement surgery 6 weeks before. I asked for assistance lots! I was able to walk not too bad but, being heavy, was grateful for the wheelchair rides and help with my carry-on etc...of course taking my cane along really helped :drool5: - people offered then. A pain patch would be lovely too! I will be sure to take my Oxybutinin (for stress incontinence) as it may help with frequent feelings of having to go....

Thanks so much Susan, lots of good advice there. I would have thought that liquids over 3 oz were a problem when getting on a plane nowadays. According to what I have read anyways. I would love to take a bottle of the Isopure I have already bought but that seems to be a restriction as it is over the 3 oz. How did you get around that one?

Well, great food for thought here. Right now I can't go walking without stooping a bit (my back gets tired from holding up my midsection which is disproportionately large!) and needing to find a place to rest at intervals unless I am hanging on to a shopping cart. So walking distances upright and sprightly is my first and main goal. To get enough fat off this frame that my shoulders and joints will choose not to pain me! Next - want to throw away blood pressure pills and Lipitor! Wonder if it helps with stress incontinence too? That would be a big bonus! If I succeed in losing enough, I would be so very happy if my youngest daughter would be inspired enough to do this as well to get her obesity down and be in the normal weight range. Even at 71 would love to be able to turn heads again, sure would put a smile on my face and a spring in my step! If I can change my apple shape, it would be lovely to wear clothes that fit me in the shoulders and not have them strain over the tummy area. I want to dance again! swim again! and go motorcycling with hubby again. (actually we are starting to plan for a trip to the Maritimes next summer, biking with another couple) yes, I know, me a motorcycle mama, we have a big Suzuki Cavalcade touring bike that is very comfy and I haven't ridden since I got bigger and arthritic! ~sigh~ lots to hope for - cross your fingers for me, surgery 2 weeks and 1 day away!

Glad to hear it Nikki, keep me posted as to your progress... I am hoping my age doesn't hamper me in any way. Feel good about the reassurances that it won't from others in this forum. Mnb, check in daily for new posts and stay involved, I am sure it will all help!

having surgery at Emmanuel Medical - it is a quarter mile over the US/Mexican border in Tijuana, surgery will be by Dr. Almanza.

It was just called Chatham High back then (1955) but my fist job was assistant Kindergarten teacher at the airbase in fall of 1956. I am the senior elder on this site - am 71 yrs of age but hoping for about 20 more yrs!

Re: A Blessing in the form of a curse oh god i haven't celebrated holloween in years. i completely forgot. and how did u get free airfare. did u get the $300 off for october? ____________________________________________________________ Did you mean $3000 off for Oct, as $300 isn't very much. No I got the $5000 total cost for Sept and because I was the first to reply to the ad for this special of book the 28th and get free round trip airfare, I got that too. Important as it is going to cost them about $600 to fly me there and back. (I'm in Canada)

Gosh, that is interesting advice, thanks so much! So will power is a factor here after all. Here I had hoped I could eat my fav's but just in tiny amounts. Darn. Up here in Canada we eat lots of hot comfort food all winter as it is darn cold out there. Going to be hard letting food get cold to make it last 20 - 30 minutes. Wow. But we do what we have to do right?

url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/w8CO1OK/] I am hoping I have done this right