@DomLorenVSG

Bahahaha! Yes! And the worst part is, I've kept this surgery pretty private from the rest of the world and my FB friends and family, only a handful of people know about it, so while I want to scream it from the mountain tops, I can only truly celebrate it on here! But you know what? I love sharing this experience with people going through the same stuff as me, and who can appreciate 100x's more than people in my life who have no idea what I'm dealing with!

It's a mouth wash/spray (you can get it in either form) that helps produce siliva so you don't get dry mouth- very common in surgeries like this, especially the first two weeks were you have a hard time staying hydrated. Most people get severe "cotton mouth" symptoms until they are able to keep down more liquids. A handy idea like the gas x strips- more like a just in case, have on hand thing if you develop those symptoms.

Congrats! I hope I'm as blessed as you, and I will say your 20s will be a lot more enjoyable than mine! I waited til now (I'm 28) and I'm kicking myself in the butt for not doing this sooner! Can't wait to see your final results, good luck!

Same here! 3 weeks and 2 days for me! Sleepless nights, and lots of anxiousness!

I'm just going to put my two cents in that my best friend had this done 2 years ago and she and I have done extensive research on both price and doctor qualifications. We researched their American board certified credentials, checked to make sure they are eligible to practice in both Mexico and the USA, we looked at patient complications, mortality rate, etc. Within those results we made our decision, she went to Dr. Aceves (spelling?) and I've chosen Dr. Alvarez. We both paid within a few hundred dollars of each other. I did the financing option, and she was able to secure a private lower interest loan. This surgery was quoted to me at $29000 and $33000 for Birmingham and Atlanta in the US

He does them in San Antonio, I don't know when, you can email his office and they will tell you, or you can view his YouTube videos and he has several patient documentaries as well.

I decided on Dr. Alvarez off of a personal reccomendation, I know he does seminars, but I really like all his YouTube videos as well. He has his office about 2 miles over the border but an American address as well for business transactions. My insurance denied me, so this was my only option financially. But I'm very confident and excited, best part no jumping through hoops with insurance diets and nonsense. I go there and it's a done deal!

War Eagle! I'm an administrator and a PhD student here at Auburn and this week I purchased my full season tickets!!!! Yessssssss! Weagle Weagle War Damn Eagle!

I have BCBS and VA coverage- NEITHER of them would approve my surgery because of my BMI only being 31. I'm actually in great shape, and an athlete but my weight has always been on the obese side, and now I have so many complicating factors it's gotten ridiculous. I've been on insulin meds, hormone meds, stomach ulcer meds, etc. I also have Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome which causes huge amount of weight gain and stomach issues at various points in the month. Every doctor I've consulted with have said this surgery will fix 99% of my problems, but NO insurance will cover this surgery because I'm not Morbidly Obese- so if I gained 30 more lbs and became full blown diabetic then they would pay... my logic is- why wait and torture my body, fix it now by a reputable doctor and save the last year of my 20's as not being miserably over weight. And maybe, just maybe I can get into the athletic shape of my life again and actually play my club sport like I use to 10 years ago minus all this extra baggage. :/ And yes, I'd love to be in the Alabama group- and of course and War Eagle!

August 17th... And my name is Dom! I'm swamped with work and a lot of other stuff but i get home and all I can do is read threads and dream of the not so distant future! I can't sleep and it's all I think about when I get down time. Tick tock on the clock, huuurrryyyy up calendar!

Aug 17th in Tx... Everyday seems to drag on. This day could not come soon enough! Can't sleep, feels like a kid waiting for Christmas!