Telling people about surgery...

Thanks, Kailey. I'm in Canada, so my situation is different. My provincial health plan covers the sleeve and bypass surgeries, but the wait lists are long.

And I'm actually in good hands. I've been active in a medical weight management program, and they are currently getting my referral package together for the hospital, having put me through a process to ensure that I'm ready. The hospital has a program as well, but having done the medical weight management program, my surgery will be expedited. Mind you, I will still have to prove myself to the hospital...

My frustration is that I understood the process to be a few steps shorter than it actually is. I just have to be patient...

Glad to hear you've found a supportive program. I think it's shocking how much opportunism and weight stigma there can be in these programs, some of which simply prey on desperate and vulnerable people. But there are excellent programs, too.

Ok good to hear you've got coverage..it's Canada of course you do! It's free lol. Here not so much but I have state coverage and it's actually very good...until our asshole president gets rid of it. That's actually why I'm in a bit of hurry to get it...before he does away with Medicaid. I'd be screwed royally bc I have a lot of health issues and NEED coverage. I'm not working right now and my husband roofs houses but there's not medical coverage in that. I'm taking care of my son who is three right now and he's a handful. He's got speech delay and behavior issues up the whazoo.

I can't wait to be healthier and be able to chase after him properly.. haha.

Anyways, good luck with your weight program and hopefully you can jump thru those last few hoops and get the surgery!

Yup, we've got full coverage, but try to get the surgery! The wait list (I almost wrote weight list ) here in BC is 3 to 4 years. In Nova Scotia it's something like 8 years. Some provinces don't even provide the surgery... And what isn't covered (in BC, in any case) is skin removal surgery, which is considered cosmetic surgery. Given my age, the length of time I've been obese, and my body shape in general, I expect to need it and can't possible afford it, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Sounds like you have a lot on your plate. Good look with getting through the surgery and getting healthier... and in getting rid of that dude at the top.

Oh wow so I guess the free healthcare system in Canada isn't all it's cracked up to be! There's pros and cons to everything I guess. Ppl think we should have free healthcare like a lot of countries but the concern always was the long waiting lists etc. Who knows. Anyhow good luck to u too!:)

I'm so grateful for our healthcare system. There is no way I could afford the services that I'm getting now and have gotten over the years. I don't hesitate to seek out medical care when I need it, which I would if I had to pay out of pocket or deal with private insurance. Yes, there are problems with it, some major. But definitely far better than not having it.

wow 3 to 4 years. I'm in Ontario and the wait time here is about 9 months to a year from orientation. A lot of things to do before hand though. And not everyone gets approved.

That's 3 to 4 years from referral to orientation. Then there's at least 6 months from orientation to surgery, depending on how ready you are considered to be. And yes, not everyone gets approved.

That's for Richmond. The wait list is shorter now for Victoria -- about 1 to 2 years from referral to orientation and then the same deal from orientation to surgery -- but unless you're on Vancouver Island, that means having to deal with the ferry between hospital and home. It's a lovely trip, but a big hassle.

I don't hesitate to talk about it if asked. I never hav hid it but you will always find people who know it all!

i was told that I wouldn't succeed because they had failed with WLS. Was told all sorts of stupid stuff, as i'm sure we all have!

i wish I could say this will change but our society is quick to jump to conclusions, "facts" and well...quick to be abrasive. You will run into a lot of folks who will judge you and this matter is no different sadly. They judge you for being big then when you try to fix that they judge you.

Right I know!!? They do judge you for being overweight and yet when you try and actually do something about it they want to be negative. It's so annoying.

Ppl have also told me I wouldn't keep the weight off because THEIR COUSIN or FRIEND gained it all back too. I'm not them!!

You could tell them your doing it so you won't die. That always shuts them up.