Q&A with Nanette, Winner of a Free Weight Loss Surgery at the ObesityHelp Conference
May 12, 2014
It seemed so surreal. I've never won anything before, certainly nothing as special as this! I just kept telling myself to breathe and remain calm.
Nanette: I hadn't been to an OH conference in a few years, actually not since the OH Conference in New Orleans. When I looked into it and realized that airfare was only $139 round trip, I couldn't pass up the opportunity! My friend, Michelle English, was speaking at the conference, so I was able to room with her to cut down on the cost to attend. It had been a long time since I'd been to California, and I was very excited to be able to check out an OH conference on the West Coast.
Nanette: Absolutely! Conferences are a great opportunity to meet new friends and fellow post-ops and receive great education from leading professionals in the community. Some of my good friends are people I've met attending conferences. I enjoy attending conferences! I am lucky to be able to do so often since I work in the field.
Nanette: I was stunned and shocked. Even though Sandy, the owner of A Lighter Me called to tell me about 20 minutes before the announcement, I cried on the phone with her. It seemed so surreal. I've never won anything before, certainly nothing as special as this! I just kept telling myself to breathe and remain calm.
Nanette: I scheduled surgery for November 24th, and my mom came with me to Tijuana for support. My surgery went very well, Dr. Elias Ortiz said that there was very little scar tissue from my band removal, which I was glad to hear! At the time of the OH Anaheim conference, I'd spent the last 14 months devastated by lapband removal, and I'd gained 80 lbs very quickly despite diet and exercise. I had my lapband placed in January 2009, got to goal in about 18 months but had complications and my band was removed in emergency surgery during Hurricane Isaac. After that, I'd lost hope that I'd be able to have a revision since I did not have insurance. This opportunity to go to Mexico was unexpected, exciting and a dream come true to continue my path to wellness!
My mom and I flew into San Diego the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The staff at A Lighter Me! took amazing care of me! I truly feel like a part of the family now. It was the best hospital stay I've ever had. Dr. Elias Ortiz and his staff have kept in contact with me since surgery and promptly answered all my questions. I've lost 40+ lbs now, and I am continuing to lose! I've since become a great supporter of medical tourism. I thoroughly checked out Mi Doctor Hospital, Dr. Elias Ortiz, and A Lighter Me! before I left and found everyone that I talked to had great things to say. It was an all around fantastic experience. The onsite travel coordinators, Abraham, Eduardo and Orlando, were fantastic! Janese and I have kept in touch as well! We went shopping, I even got to go to the beach! Playas de Tijuana is beautiful!
Nanette: First, attending a conference is one of the most rewarding experiences you can do for yourself. You will meet so many supportive and interesting people. As a therapist, I work with many people who struggle with social anxieties and weight issues. One the of best ways to work through social anxiety is to expose yourself to new situations where you would normally be uncomfortable. The reward of a new experience is that you learn that it's not so difficult to share and meet new people! I've always found that people are extremely accepting of others at WLS conferences!
For anyone interested in surgery in Mexico, I would encourage them to do it! I recommend they research the doctors and facilities and I'd also suggest that you find a follow-up physician before leaving for Mexico. It's important to have your support systems in place and know that the choice to go to Mexico will put a patient in the position to need to advocate for themselves when they come back to the U.S. and need post op care. I'm always glad to talk to anyone about my experience if they have questions!