carolyn24seven

I would have done the surgery here. I found a well qualified surgeon in my area. It came down to $. ~~$18,000.00 VS $5,500.00. I am blonde, but, I can do math.
I would have done it here for $10,000.00. Just so you know my price.lol
Yes I took a chance. I came out fine. lucky me.
I have nothing bad to say about US surgeons. It was just a matter of cost as I am self pay.
I have made this comment before but, I am going to post it again. When obesity in a KNOWN cause of so much additional health care costs, WHy won't the insurance companies get on board with VSG? It would substantially reduce costs in the future.
(Leaving out the personal future benefits) I do not get it. There are so many cost benefits to covering this surgery, that far out weigh the down side. (initial cost) Where are the number crunchers? They need to wake up. Obesity is a National epidemic. It is not going to go away on its own.
OKay I am sorry for the rant. But, I do feel better, thanks for letting me vent. again.

I bought a size 14 swimsuit from costco. It is baggy in the stomache. My waist is so little. I am not taking the Protein any more, I am still losing. I am still exercizing, but, my thighs are a mess. I am gonna keep at it. Never give up. I am sooooo, loving life as a 14 going down.

Amanda: new picture please. I think I agree with you, I saw a pict of myself at Christmas and I cannot believe it is me. I look so young. In all my picts of the last few years I look so old. Just the weight off takes the age off. Even though close up you can see the wrinkles, it does nto matter. Initially, you think young. That is a big deal for me. I do not feel old now. I am full of energy, and no where near so achey as I was 50+ lbs ago.
Wish I could post pictures. I am gonna figure that out soon.
My own NSV for today: I crossed my legs at the knee. I did not even know I was doing it. My Husband noticed and commented. Woowzaaa!

I bought a pair of size 16 from costco yesterday. only 15 bucks. Brown strech jeans. I have only 3 pair of pants that fit now. Black Grey and now Brown. I had to get more than one pair. Every thing I had was size 20 and up.
I have to say, It was REALLY hard for me to buy a 16 off the shelve. No trying on. I still cannot believe I am down to a 16. Oct 1 I was a 22. All my tops are hanging off me too. I have bought a few tops 14/16 and XL . THey fit! God, I am having such a hard time getting this in my mind. I wanted to wait until I was a size 10 to buy clothes, but, I now know that is impossible. So, I have opted for the cheap clothes route until I hit the size 10. Oh man I love having this problem.

Tiffy: that was a great NSV. I had posted but not in this place. So sorry if you all havealready read this but here goes.
Friday after thanksgiving we were going togo to the show and meet friends after. I had to try on 8 different things to find one thing that was acceptable. Then on Saturday I was wearing just my regular jeans and top and I was working in the kitchen and walking back and forth to the dinning room (putting stuff away) any way hands full and all my pants started sliding down. Now, get a mental picture of this please, my hubby is up on a step ladder putting the bowls and large platters away for me and here I come with my arms full and there go my pants! I am trying to do the legs wide apart so they don't fall off, and so I am just waddling. histerical. just crazy fun. After the moments (several) had passed, my hubs said I was to go shopping and get some pants that are tight. Tight enough to last until the next stage. He is sure a believer now in the sleeve. So, walking out of your pants is fun. I laughed so hard and long my sides still hurt on Sunday. Sunday when I went and got 2 new pairs of pants.
Hubby said good thing I was not wearing thoes jeans when we went out last night! duh!
Glad you had a great time with your Hubs too. Thoes moments lead to such great celebratory fun. heehee
turtles and blondes: you get us on our backs and we are both screwed.

I am experiencing the deflated bag syndrome. I have alot of wrinkles now. I am using lots of products, not seeing results.
I think I will go for the "life style lift" when I am one year out. It is a minor surgery that lifts the neck, jowls and cheek folds. ($3,200 approx) I do not care about the eye and forehead wrinkles.
I need to do something about the upper thighs and upper arms. I am working out with weights, but, man they are flabby. So I suppose I will have to do something there. sigh!
I am pleasently suprised that my stomach is nice. I thought for sure I would need the "tummy tuck" but I don't ~yet~. LOL Another 32 lbs off and we shall see!
Anyway, I have no potion/lotion that works. I am just gonna be patient until October then~~look out wallet!!

Amanda: new picture please. I think I agree with you, I saw a pict of myself at Christmas and I cannot believe it is me. I look so young. In all my picts of the last few years I look so old. Just the weight off takes the age off. Even though close up you can see the wrinkles, it does nto matter. Initially, you think young. That is a big deal for me. I do not feel old now. I am full of energy, and no where near so achey as I was 50+ lbs ago.
Wish I could post pictures. I am gonna figure that out soon.
My own NSV for today: I crossed my legs at the knee. I did not even know I was doing it. My Husband noticed and commented. Woowzaaa!

youknowit: there is a super moderator here goes by Vegas Angel. Go into the members tab and look her up. She is in Vegas, and seems to have the "scoop" on alot of Dr. there. OR, she can guide you on how to research them locally. I am going to contact her when I need the "tummy tuck" as she knows a really good surgeon and has offered (tongue-in-cheek) to see about a group discount.lol
I believe you are wise to get one locally since you have already had complications. I just want to ask, will your insurance pay for complications after "elective" surgery? Mine would, hence my decision to go to Mexico. I figured if anything went wrong I could get fixed on my insurance here at home. If you come to that conclusion, research Dr. Aceves. VegasAngel can help you there too. I cannot reccomend my Dr. at this time. I hope I can in the very near future. Anyway, Good luck with your search. Keep me posted!

I would have done the surgery here. I found a well qualified surgeon in my area. It came down to $. ~~$18,000.00 VS $5,500.00. I am blonde, but, I can do math.
I would have done it here for $10,000.00. Just so you know my price.lol
Yes I took a chance. I came out fine. lucky me.
I have nothing bad to say about US surgeons. It was just a matter of cost as I am self pay.
I have made this comment before but, I am going to post it again. When obesity in a KNOWN cause of so much additional health care costs, WHy won't the insurance companies get on board with VSG? It would substantially reduce costs in the future.
(Leaving out the personal future benefits) I do not get it. There are so many cost benefits to covering this surgery, that far out weigh the down side. (initial cost) Where are the number crunchers? They need to wake up. Obesity is a National epidemic. It is not going to go away on its own.
OKay I am sorry for the rant. But, I do feel better, thanks for letting me vent. again.

Hi Ruthi,
I'm from SCV also. Would love to chat with you some time about your experience.
Lisa

You need to re-focus on the positive side. Come on girl, pull up your big girl panties.
Instead of being disgusted with the gurgling sounds your stomach is making, think- hey, my brand new tiny tumm is talking to me, getting reaquainted with my brain. I am gonna get myself outta the way and let them talk to each other. Think I will turn up the music while they talk.
Sex drive on the up swing? and you think this is a bad thing? How old are you--I mean how young? Crimminey, sex drive on the up swing is a good thing, it is a perk of this surgery that I did not know could happen. Along with the better bladder. I love these extra little perks. Now how to deal with the sex drive in a positive way, being as you are single. (you are not the only single girl in the world) Exercize. Yup exercize, it burns off all kinds of energy. Good and bad. Get creative. Paint, draw, write, sculpt,scrapbook, clean your closets. Seriously, when you use your creative side, a passion comes out that takes over and the sex drive goes there and kind of redirects.
Think of this as a class you are taking. You are learning a little each day. It will all be revealed in the course of a semester. or two.
Comfort, comfort yourself with pampering. Long hot baths. Manicures, pedicures. If on a tight budget give yourself the Mani,pedi. go get movies, comedy's, from your library. Great old movies and have hot soup/broth instead of what you used to eat. Setup "dates" for yourself to have a time to read, walk in a new place. I go to a different park once a week and read a bit and walk a bit. I am near the ocean so I walked a pier and saw some dolphin it was so cool. I would have never done that before. BTW people fish from thoes piers and catch the littlest fish and eat them! um not for me. Looks like they are eating bait fish. lol. anyway, nature is a great distraction and uplifting experience. Even in bad weather.
Try some of this, see how you feel.
Mourning the loss of food: I miss my Mom, but she would come back and kick my butt if she saw me wallowing in depression about loosing her. You have the power to change how you feel. Come on, try! You are getting on the loosers bench with me and I want a funny teammate. If not funny at least interesting Okay?
If you do try and your depression is still continuing, then it is time to get some professional help. I really want you healthy and happy, so what ever it takes--do it.

You need to re-focus on the positive side. Come on girl, pull up your big girl panties.
Instead of being disgusted with the gurgling sounds your stomach is making, think- hey, my brand new tiny tumm is talking to me, getting reaquainted with my brain. I am gonna get myself outta the way and let them talk to each other. Think I will turn up the music while they talk.
Sex drive on the up swing? and you think this is a bad thing? How old are you--I mean how young? Crimminey, sex drive on the up swing is a good thing, it is a perk of this surgery that I did not know could happen. Along with the better bladder. I love these extra little perks. Now how to deal with the sex drive in a positive way, being as you are single. (you are not the only single girl in the world) Exercize. Yup exercize, it burns off all kinds of energy. Good and bad. Get creative. Paint, draw, write, sculpt,scrapbook, clean your closets. Seriously, when you use your creative side, a passion comes out that takes over and the sex drive goes there and kind of redirects.
Think of this as a class you are taking. You are learning a little each day. It will all be revealed in the course of a semester. or two.
Comfort, comfort yourself with pampering. Long hot baths. Manicures, pedicures. If on a tight budget give yourself the Mani,pedi. go get movies, comedy's, from your library. Great old movies and have hot soup/broth instead of what you used to eat. Setup "dates" for yourself to have a time to read, walk in a new place. I go to a different park once a week and read a bit and walk a bit. I am near the ocean so I walked a pier and saw some dolphin it was so cool. I would have never done that before. BTW people fish from thoes piers and catch the littlest fish and eat them! um not for me. Looks like they are eating bait fish. lol. anyway, nature is a great distraction and uplifting experience. Even in bad weather.
Try some of this, see how you feel.
Mourning the loss of food: I miss my Mom, but she would come back and kick my butt if she saw me wallowing in depression about loosing her. You have the power to change how you feel. Come on, try! You are getting on the loosers bench with me and I want a funny teammate. If not funny at least interesting Okay?
If you do try and your depression is still continuing, then it is time to get some professional help. I really want you healthy and happy, so what ever it takes--do it.