It is not performed in Newfoundland...the people that I know who had it done...went to Ontario.  VSG is performed in Newfoundland.

What did you have to do after your orientation session?  I have mine coming up in May.  How many people were at the session with you?.

Unfortunately there is good, bad and then the ugly side of vsg.

I actually am 2.5 years out from surgery. I had it done and have never had a moment of regret. So that the good.

The bad is no one told me what a toll it can have on your body. I was 7 weeks out of surgery before I could function somewhat normally. I was living on about 200 calories a day and so fatigued that I'd have to have a nap after a simple task like having a shower. Then all of a sudden one day I woke up and felt wonderful. Lucky for me I was able to take 12 weeks off work and by doing so I recovered well and got use to my new lifestyle.

The Ugly well it's got to be all the loose skin. I guess I was one of those people who thought oh no worries it'll spring back cause it's not that bad, well 124 pounds of fat lose mean lots of loose skin and saggy breast. I have currently seen a plastic surgeon for a tummy tuck and boob job but have to save a little over 10 grand to do so. Also hair loss, well everyone told me it would happen but again it didn't happen at 1st so I thought that it wasn't going too and then boom right around the 3 month mark it happened and my hair got extremely thin. But oh well it's only hair and by the year mark it was filling in again. It's hard to get all the nutrients you need to sustain all the health factors in life.

When it comes to food craving, well surgery doesn't cure that. I struggle with a new chocolate addiction but I know now that I can have a piece of it and count my calorie, before a piece who be a whole bag of chocolate instead of 1 piece. There are also times when I forget that I can't eat like I use to and over full my plate. Old habits really do die hard.

If you use this board and do lots of research you will be fine. The clinic I went to was amazing and they started us off right away with tracking our food, drinks, calories and why we ate.....hunger, boredom, emotional. They encouraged us to wear pedometers and track our steps and counselling was hugh. It's a life altering surgery and you need to be physically and mentally prepared.

Good Luck and wishing you all the best.

K.

I'm a grandmother, originally from NL, now in Ottawa....and I had VSG in Mexico. I went to Puerto Vallarta to Dr. Castaneda Cruz. Can't say enough good about him!! I had surgery on a Saturday, came home on Thursday and returned to work on the following Monday. I'm an RN. If you travel together, you will need someone to manage your luggage etc. as you can't do any lifting post op. As well, with little children you will need some help at home for the first few weeks as again, you won't be able to do any lifting. Have you considered a company that will escort you (byyoursideweightlosstravel.com comes to mind)? In terms of the decision for surgery, it was the best thing I ever did for myself and I wish I had done it when my children were small. Good luck.