Shape_Shifter

I know nothing about Mexico, border towns and crossings. I would like to hear more about your reasons. If you don't want to post please PM me. I've been leaning towards Dr. Almanza-Reyes. Seems to have a good following and reasonable prices. But haven't looked past the surface yet. Not sure where to begin. Not sure talking to him would be the best way to go yet as I have not been known to be the best judge of character. Texas would be a shorter flight for me as well but I'm more worried about safety than flight time. My daughter will probably come with me. We also own a small business in addition to me working full-time so my hubby taking off is not the best for that purpose either - even though its such a short time.

I know the places to inquire in USA but how do you research and know you are getting a good doctor/hospital in Mexico - especially with a language barrier? At this point I'm not looking for opinions, just the basic facts. Do they track doctors like they do here? Mortality rates, infection rates, complaints, etc. I'm not sure where to begin - besides the internet. '

Reading my insurance requiremens, besides a co-morbidity, I need to have been involved in weight watchers or Jenny Craig for atleast 6 months. Has anyone else come across this requirement? How do I prove this? What if I didn't loose while on it or loose too much to make me below 35 BMI? At this point I'm ready to sell my vehicle, buy a cheaper one and fly to Mexico tomorrow (if I didn't have to apply for a new passport). I have a feeling they're going to make me jump through hoops only to deny me in the end because I'm borderline 35 BMI and borderline diabetic. I have no idea about apnea but probably since I sound like a freight train

i didn't keep receipts and paid in cash. guess they should have it computerized. I haven't been back in 2 months or so. maybe i can pay to "catch up". need to find my books. I didn't go weekly. will that be a problem? usually every other week for the last year.

Thank you CJ. It's amazing how upset just typing that made me. God I hope I can do this and it works.

I so agree with everyone-especially the sex. lol Feels better to know I'm not the only one that avoids social situations. Tired of fighting with hubby because I want to wear a large baggy t-shirt and stretch jeans when I go out. If I dress up i feel like a cow with lipstick. Love to feel normal again. Love to not come home and cry because after spending the afternoon shopping for clothes all I am is tired and more aware of how much weight i've put on. Just got back from the local fair and saw several ladies wearing sundresses. I've never been a dress person but I am EXCITED about possibly wearing one and feeling lite and carefree. Don't know how the flabby "funbags" will survive this, so not sure i'll be able to do that, but the thought is nice.

dont know if i could watch it but i'll keep it in mind. lol

I agree with the seats. I pay more for a movie theater with lifting arms. Went to an amusement park 50 lbs ago and the skinnly little wench locked down so hard on my legs i wanted to scream.....then the stupid ride got stuck. sat like that for 15 minutes and it seemed like hours. Now, if I get on the ride at all, i keep my legs up just so it wont happen again and I lok it down myself. However, I don't get on many rides now...terrified they'll tell me I cant fit. Not to mention the pain of walking around.

Hmmm.....hidden costs. I hadn't gotten to that portion yet so I'm interested too.

How are you doing 30 days post op? How long before you felt you could return to work/activities?

Thinmymind-if you have a moment I have a couple of questions: (1) how was your experience with Dr. Kelly? What made you choose Dr. Kelly? (2) how much have you lost in 30 days? (3) when were you able to return to work/activities?

Excellent! Hoping I get the same results. My knees hurt going up and down stairs, etc. and I now my plantar fasciatis is acting up again. I don't get nearly enough exercise. Hoping to change that in the very near future.

I'm not sure if you've been to a doc yet, but if not you should. I too had the problems. Having no insurance I waited. I could have had the right exercises and avoided the future surgury I paid for (out of pocket) had I known. Now that I'm heavier I'm starting to have the problems again. I was told weight loss along wit proper stretches, cold rolling bottle on feet, etc. can avoid alot of problems. So now, instead of paying for yet more foot surgery I'm spending on the money on the real problem, my weight, along with the exercises. Good luck and get it looked at before you have bigger problems.

Thank you everyone. It's not the scars themselves - its the thought of being cut that's driving me crazy (yeah, I can take a shot but the IV makes me pass out). I have no intention of getting anywhere where anyone but my hubby would see them anyway. lol I've heard of the single incesition through a belly button -- nails on a chalkboard to me. I'll take 5 scars over anything through there. Not scared of much - but that would send me over the edge. Natural childbirth was preferable to the thought of an epidural. As for going it alone we're both active and it will drive me crazy sitting in a room - even if im hurting. Then he will make it worse sitting around watching me. After birth of my kids I had to send him packing so I could get some rest. He means well but.... I've never taken off any time so I had to look into how much I could take at once and two weeks is the maximum. Not sure I could do this and recover sufficently in two weeks to go back to work. While I despise this job but need it....especially since i'm probably self-paying. I have no intention on sharing my personal life with my boss so I will not be telling them what i'm doing. They are use to me and others dieting so it wont be a surprise i'm starting another "diet"

That would be a toss up. Do it over the weekend and my family suffers, do it over the week and my co-workers and family suffer. Hmmmm....maybe I deserve a minivacation away from both. lol

I am relatively new to the idea of getting the sleeve and reading what I can about everything and I don't have my 1st seminar until next week. My question is this, it seems that the post-op diet is the same as a high protien diet, similar to Atkins, etc. What makes the sleeve different/better than just going on the liquid high protein/slushee diet everyone is talking about? I like Atkins but can't maintain on it. Is this post-op diet going to be the same? I'm not hungry on atkins either once ketosis kicks in but I find I need more. I don't want to self-pay for this surgery only to find I have another Atkins repeat..

Thank you all. Every bit of information helps. I almost look forward to not craving sweets/diet coke. I hope that part kicks in for me. I hate getting migranes when i'm without caffeine for too long. This is probably be something I quit and go through withdrawals before surgery.

Thank you everyone. so if im understanding the sleeve controls the desire to overeat but the Protein is needed for health. so, down the road, I will be able to eat chicken, steak, with the occassional grapes/watermellon, etc. I will just want ALOT less. (cheaper to go out to dinner at Outback--leftovers for a week? lol). My biggest problem will probably be sodas. I've been addicted to diet coke for 30 years. off and on with the caffinated soda. Water makes me physically ill. I've been told its proably because my body is so toxic from the diet coke. Just the thought of weaning myself off makes me ill because I know whats coming...

I too am low bmi (just under 35) and just starting this search. physical & seminar scheduled for next week. Family history of diabetes and high blood pressure (not here yet). Considering Mexico since going self-pay but that thought is scaring the hell out of me. 1. I hear alot of good things about doctors in Mexico -- but would like to hear who you didn't like and why? 2. Also, do they have BMI restrictions like the states? 3. Considering combining with a vacation - but how long before I can go back to work? I can't take off more than 2 weeks. I'm a secretary, so non-strenuous. 4. I am a "high pre-diabetic", anything I can do to ensure I go up 5 points for the test? If so I could be approved for a local surgeon and insurance coverage. 5. Anybody that had complications with Mexico surgery - does US insurance ever cover complications? (How long does the drain stay in?) I know I have alot of questions but very anxious to get things going. Still sorting through the forum but working two jobs doesn't leave alot of free time.