OntheMark VSG

Hello All, my name is Mark and I want to introduce myself.  I'm new to the group (as a member) but certainly not new to the disease of obesity. Like most of you, I have lost weight and gained it back more times that I care to mention. I have tried all of the yo yo diets and am ready to change my life. The struggle is real! I was athletic in both high school and college and then the professional life happened... and then life happened.  Of course eating to celebrate, eating when I'm bored, eating when I'm stressed, and eating most of the wrong things like sweets and friend foods certainly not help my situation. After being diagnosed with hypertension about 4 years ago, I vowed to get the weight off and to come off of the meds. I worked really hard at it and came off for a short while. Slowly, the weight came back and I had to go back on the meds. After my last weight gain (highest 292 currently 280. My ht is 5-11), my PCP asked me if I was ready for weight loss surgery. I had been researching the benefits of weight loss surgery for a little over a year and read many posts from here as well as other forums and watched many, many videos on youtube. Bariatric surgery is not covered by my insurance. After talking with family members and close friends, I plan to have the gastric sleeve in November 2015. I am torn between the lesser expensive option of medical tourism (Mexico) or going with a local surgeon and hospital, which as you are aware, will more than double the cost of the medical tourism option for the gastric sleeve. Therefore, I would need to try to finance more than half of the surgery if I select to have the surgery here in the states.  My PCP said that she'd prefer that I have the surgery here. I could tell that she did not feel comfortable with the Mexico option, although it's more afordable for me. I have never had surgery or been hospitalized before. Surgery is a really big deal for anyone and I respect everyone who has started your journey to a better and healthier life. I hope to join you soon. As I try to come up with the money for surgery in the states, I welcome any information anyone can provide regarding my options. I am most concerned about after care and follow up with a local physician if my PCP is not on board... if Mexico is my only option. I resrarched and am considering Dr. Ramas Kelly and Dr. Carlos Altamirano and a few other surgeons in Mexico. If I can afford to have the surgery here, I'm considering doctors in the metro Atlanta Ga area.  Thank you for allowing me to introduce myself and share a little about me.