This is my Story...

Jan 13, 2009

This is my story!  As I look back on my life I think I have always had a low self-esteem and self worth issue since I was a kid.  I was born with a severe hearing impairment and had to wear a hearing aid.  I was blessed with a wonderful speech therapist who taught me how to speak and to this day, I speak very well and most people do not detect my handicap.  I grew up in a normal household, went to a regular high school but I remember being teased if I didn’t hear something or responded with a incorrect answer.  I never felt as though I fit in with the kids until I got in high school.  I joined the hippies crowd and got into drugs.  I was an addict for many years until I got clean and sober in 1982.  During my using days I was thin cause I was too high to eat!  Since 1982, when I got clean and sober, my weight has crept up and up.  I think I replaced the drugs with food.  I have lost weight using all kinds of diets but like everyone else, the weight came back.  After much contemplating I decided to get the VSG in August 2008.  My BMI is around 38 and I thought the VSG would be a better choice for me.  I was hoping to have it done at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore but my insurance company rejected the VSG but approved the gastric bypass.  So I asked how much it would be out-of-pocket and Johns Hopkins said 17K for VSG and 25K for the gastric bypass.  So I went back to the drawing board to do more research.  My dad said to check out the clinics in Mexico and I did.  I found a place called Ready4Achange in Monterrey.  After checking out their references, the BBB, reading some articles on Dr. Zapata and praying, I have decided to go this route.  They charge 10K for everything.  I’m leaving the U.S. on Jan 29, surgery is the next day and I’ll be home on Feb 2^nd.   I am scared, nervous and excited all at once.  Because I have that addictive personality I know I’m going to need some help, whether from the outside or maybe on these message boards.  Some of you are absolutely amazing and have given me hope and strength.  For that I thank you.

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