Preparing for Surgery in Mexico

Many of you know, if you follow my life on Facebook, that I recently went to Tijuana to get weight loss surgery. I looked into this for a good 8 years. I started off attending a meeting where doctors explained the differences between the kinds of surgeries. I met with dieticians. I began to study the ways each surgery worked. I researched the long term effects of diet and exercise alone. I did a few of the diets myself. Every time I lost weight, I would always gain it back, plus 10 to 20 pounds more. Behind every diet was the knowledge that this step would eventually lead to a greater weight problem than before.

I listened to different friends describe their weight-loss journey through surgery. I joined Facebook groups. I interviewed nurses and doctors.

Finally, a dear friend died. It was out of the blue. She was young and healthy. She was a little overweight, but she lived a full and active life. Her death kicked my head into a new place. I felt the weight of my weight. I realized that despite the happiness I felt in my own skin, I was not healthy. I finally asked for help.

I had a couple choices. If I got surgery in the USA, my insurance would cover things, but it would cost $20,000, and I would be responsible for at least $8,000 of the cost. If I went to Tijuana to work with Dr. Zavalza at the Go Light Clinic, it would cost anywhere between $4,300-$5,300, depending on the complications I might have.

I chose to go to Mexico. But that meant I would need to ask for help. We didn’t have that much cash saved up. We didn’t have anything saved up. Every time we tried, something would come along and we would have to spend the money. They were always noble things for our family. I don’t feel ashamed of not having money. We’re living good lives and thriving, but I didn’t have any extra money to spend.

I asked for help. I felt so ashamed asking for help. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I shook with tears and wept as I typed my request. I hated that I didn’t have the means to take care of myself. I felt like such a loser. And yet, the help came. Friends and new friends offered their contributions to help me. I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I AM overwhelmed with gratitude. It was joyous and liberating. While the world was split into different factions about politics and covid, my world was being supported by people from all different walks of life. I couldn’t get over it. I still can’t.

The biggest benefit to asking for help is that because the money raised was specifically for my surgery, I couldn’t use the money for any other emergencies that came up. Because people had given me their hard earned money, I felt that strength whenever I was tempted to go off the preop diet.

There was one day that was like diet boot camp for me. It was the Friday before my surgery. My dad took Antonio and I to breakfast and everyone ordered delicious waffles and pancakes. I ordered some fruit and water. That afternoon, I did a matinee and an evening performance. The theatre provided us a catered meal between meals. All through the matinee I could see and smell the chef preparing Hawaiian food for us to eat after the show. I ate some watermelon. The cast party was that night after the show. They catered again with coconut almond encrusted chicken. It smelled incredible. I ate a tiny bite of rice and some fruit. I couldn’t eat more because I had just started the liquid diet required a week before surgery. Every time I felt tempted, I remembered the people who were willing to donate to my surgery. Every time I felt tempted, I would give myself 15 minutes to just get past the craving. Over and over I gave myself those 15 minutes. And it worked. My mind gained strength over the cravings. I didn’t give in, and at the end of the day I was so much stronger!

The following Thursday, Antonio and I left for Tijuana and for surgery!