Everyone that knows me, knows I am transparent. I speak my mind, I voice my opinions, and I am who I am. I am ME, and you can love or hate me, but I am real.
I am not going to stop now with going through this procedure, and you can say or think what you will, that wont matter to me.
What is important is how this blog will follow me along my journey, documenting my successes, my fears, my failures, my small victories, but most importantly to educate others, and hopefully help someone else who wonders if they can do it. It will be ugly, it will be emotional and exciting. Reading it may make you think, or make you question me or yourself, or perhaps you will feel sympathy towards another. You may want to cheer for me along the way or follow my progress and ask questions.
Here is how I have make my decision to have WLS (weight loss surgery) in Mexico.
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Oh did I forget to mention that?
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Yes, Mexico!
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Again...Here is how I have make my decision to have WLS in Mexico.
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After waiting for years to have the surgery here, approaching 40 years old, being diagnosed with Diabetes Type 2, I needed to change my life. I spoke to specialists, my GP doctor, and researched like crazy. Every professional I spoke to suggested Mexico and several WLS surgeons, and steered me past the pre-conceived ideas of what Mexico has to offer. I know what you are thinking....go down a dark alley and go into a dimly lit room, with some guy with old rusty tools ready to operate on you for $20. Well rest a sure I am smarter than that, and I am notorious for researching things completely.
After speaking with people here who have done this, talking to friends that go down there for dental work and such, professionals referring certain Mexican doctors, I began to narrow down my search to a couple of selected doctors. I worked with my GP, talked to my husband, family and close friends, the WLS Doctor in Victoria, and the Surgeons in Mexico to finally make a decision that worked best for me. There is big business in US border lying cities in Mexico, who have medical care centers that cater to US, Canadian and international patients. The care is top notch, in a lot of cases better than you would get at home.
So my journey starts here, with my decision to have Dr. Zavalza be my WLS professional in change of my care, and process. I decided on Gastric Sleeve procedure which isn't as invasive as Gastric Bypass (which takes out some of your intestines and shrinks your stomach), and allows me to do a lot of the work myself. This will restrict my eating for about 6 month allowing me to jump start a new way of life. Its not the easy way out (as some may think), as the work that comes along with this is never going to end, the work is still very much in my hands, the weight loss or gain is completely within my control. It is a tough, life changing procedure that will have all sorts of twists and turns, ups and downs, and all I ask is for support. If you have questions ask, if you have comments leave them but know that I will be honest in my responses. This is going to be one of my toughest journeys ever and I will continue to be transparent throughout my journey.
I know whole heartedly that I have made the best choice for me. And I can not wait for this journey to begin.
What is Gastric Sleeve Surgery:
Sleeve Gastrectomy is an effective form of bariatric surgery and should no longer be considered investigational, according to updated guidelines cosponsored by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, The Obesity Society, and the American/Canadian/Mexican Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery. Also known as Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, Vertical gastric sleeve is a restrictive procedure meaning that it achieves weight loss results by restricting the amount of food that your body is physically able to take in for approx. 6 months as your stomach will be swollen during this time. There is extensive low calories pre-op where you will be eating very little leading to only broths and clear liquids before surgery. This is not an easy fix, as the patient still completes the majority of diet on their own. This is more of a tool to people having a hard time getting started. With excess body weight preventing them from working out or eating correctly. For the 1st 6 months, your stomach will not be able to consume whole foods, making dramatic physical changes in your size allowing you to start the process to a fuller life, including exercise and food choices. In allowing you a 6 month period of almost no food, will jump start your metabolism, therefore giving you a new starting point at which time you will have control over what happens beyond this point. Some may need to continue on with Gastric Bypass if unsuccessful, however our hope is the patient learns how to maintain their body, and continues on the second chance they have been given.
Description: removes about 85% of the greater curvature of the stomach and creates a new, small banana-shaped stomach or “sleeve.” This is sometimes referred to as a “weight loss sleeve.” Surgery is irreversible
TIP: Others going through this my only advise is, trust your gut, follow your own path and make the decision that at the end of the day you can feel okay with. There is a lot of information out there, and a lot of people trying to tall you this or that about Surgeons. Dr. Zavalza is best for me, and I trust that you will find the best person for you and what you need. Spend a lot of time talking to the surgeons you have narrowed down to, ask about FB support groups of theirs, speak to others that have had them, find out the good, bad, the ugly about their experiences. Work with your own GP, a local WLS surgeon, and talk to your friends and family about your choices. Don't rush yourself in the process. It took a long time for you to gain this weight. Let yourself take the time to make the best decision for yourself. Don't rush the decision.
Stay Tuned
Under Construction~ Nat :)
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