TheUrbanWasteland

I’m a chef & an artist… but want I really want is to be a successful artist! I know the odds are stacked against me, but if Warhol can do it…… So I’m making (will be) weekly videos & uploading them to youtube as I am (hopefully) about to embark on a weight loss surgery adventure! Check them out here; http://www.youtube.com/user/TheUrbanWasteland
I’ve been researching the different surgeries for 15 months, and saving for12… I’m finally at the point where I can make an appointment and see if they will operate. My wls of choice is the lapband and I’m hoping to have it done in Christchurch (nz) with The Intus Group on Oxford Terrace… I believe Steven Kelly is the surgeon. Surgery is done at Southern Cross Hospital…. its cool & cushy & there is wifi & sky !!! In NZ wls is rarely done in the public system, I think there was 230 funded last year with apparently 150 of those going to Manukau! (that’s south Auckland up in the north island for those of you who don’t know NZ!!) My district health board does not do any funded surgeries at all and I don’t meet the requirements even if they did ! While my BMI is 42 The only comorbidities I have are slightly high BP, oesteo arthritis and a slight case of back fat… My height is 170cm or 5ft 7” weight was 125kg (275 lbs) which puts my BMI just over 42. That’s my highest ever weight! I’m hoping to just get down to a normal BMI… the range for that varies a bit, but I’m aiming for 60-70kg (132-154lbs) which is 20-22bmi. One thing I’m a bit worried about with the lapband surgery is my throat condition. I have reflux, which is controlled with losec, I have a hiatus hernia, lesions in the throat and also stomach ulcers. While I’ve watched a ton of youtube videos I’m still not too sure if they will put a lapband in. If anyone has had this degree of throat problems I’d love to see your videos! The reason I chose the lapband was the cost for a start!! The full package costs $18,250 which includes all surgery, hospital, psychologist, dietician and fills for 18 months. The Roux en Y gastric bypass and the sleeve start at $22,000 which was not doable for me yet! The only health insurance here that I know funds wls is Southern Cross and they only give you $7,500 after it is paid for and only if you have been with them 3 years! NZ has a fairly acceptable national health (apart from some serious problems…) so I have never needed health insurance. The other reason was that it requires you to modify your habits in order to succeed. Now if I’m paying almost 20 grand for an operation I absolutely refuse
I'm the white & red one ! to fail. I like to have rules and I like to follow them! Plus I’d like to have kids one day and although that’s not even a possibility yet… I don’t think I would want to not be able to absorb vitamins & minerals on a daily basis. Oh BTW I am 34 and live in a small town… I have a crazy Bullmastiff named Chloe, a weirdo kitten (7 months) called Chaos and some strange goldfish… you’ll meet them all!-----------------------------------So, I'm officially banded and 5 days out !Follow me here; http://urban-wasteland.com/My surgeon Steven Kelly was awesome and the nurse/PA called me today and talked with me for 10-20 minutes. They have an awesome team :)Oh, and I told everyone.... no shame here plus I cant stop talking (and anyone who would be mean about this I would laugh at!!!!)
Rach.