kbl

hi so the answer is NO!!!! my mom just had the sleeve 2/2 /10 she is 62 years old has RA and HTN with a weight higher then 250. even though you do not know her... she still would no want her weight on this board. she is doing great. she did have to stop some of her RA drugs about one week pre op and was able to continue about 3 weeks post op so that her sleeve would heal. i also have RA and hope to do the surgery in august. so hope this helps. kelly

love the picture... i did not know they had magnetic paint... how fun. kelly

i know that is a wonderful feeling

that is true regarding the FMLA requirements. for the new grad of nursing... have you started your job yet? it not, have you considered having your surgery and then starting your position? with acute care, especially adult acute care, you will need to be off at least 5 weeks to 6 weeks depending on your specific area of specialty. the hospital where i work requires that you be able to lift 50 lbs to be eligible to work in any of the acute care units. there may be different requirements at other facilities. good luck. kelly

sorry i do not know why it copied twice.

just so you know surgery does fall under the FMLA guidelines. it is a federal law which allows you to have a leave of absence for up to a 12 week peroid of time per rolling year. you just need to talk with you HR department and fill out the proper paperwork. you will also have to have the doctor fill out a portion. i am sure the coordinators in mexico can work with you on the paper work..... all of this info is void it you are your own boss.... but if you work for someone else, just know that you can legally take off for medical issues and have your job back. at least check into it. there may be a criteria in regards to how big you work force is. i work in a hospital so it does apply to me..... good luck kelly

just so you know surgery does fall under the FMLA guidelines. it is a federal law which allows you to have a leave of absence for up to a 12 week peroid of time per rolling year. you just need to talk with you HR department and fill out the proper paperwork. you will also have to have the doctor fill out a portion. i am sure the coordinators in mexico can work with you on the paper work..... all of this info is void it you are your own boss.... but if you work for someone else, just know that you can legally take off for medical issues and have your job back. at least check into it. there may be a criteria in regards to how big you work force is. i work in a hospital so it does apply to me..... good luck kelly

keys... though i have not had the sleeve yet... i take aleve as part of my RA medications. i was directed to the sleeve because it was the WLS that i cound have and take my required medications. the only issue immediated pre and post op is the increase in bleeding. so since you are 6 weeks out, you should be able to take it. kelly

wonderful....thanks for letting us Celebrate with you. kelly

thanks vegas for the info...... kelly.

sweatinitout....ust so you know i did the same recently. by the next day i was to impatient to wait for their call and called the 1-888 number. i spoke to monica one of the coordinators. she said that their normal price is 9500. but they are currently having a special and if you book in feb for a march surgical date the cost is 8750. good luck. i am still deciding and will not go until august if that is my decision. hope this helps. kelly

WELL i think you should go or it! i also have cloths from skinny to fat. and would like to buy a new skinny dress for motivation! but unlike you all i have not even had the sleeve. i am just seriously considering it. reading all of your post makes me want it tomorrow though. if i am able to do this, i will have to wait till august. so i will just dream about the possibilities! i sure need to learn how to 1)place a picture of me 2)learn how to create a signature with a ticker. you are all inspirational to me. kelly

thanks ladies for the responses... i feel sure that if and when i have the vsg i will go to dr aceves. i still need to gather more information and determine if the sleeve is the option for me due to my medical condition. i would really love to proceed. i have a bmi of 31.8 so to low for insurance coverage and will be self pay. i do have chronic medical conditions as well. i love that so many have had surgery with dr aceses and rave about his care and the care they received in mexico. as an icu rn for the past 21 years i originally did not think i would consider mexico. the more i read the more i am certain that he would be my choice. if this is to happen, i really have a specific time frame to work with. i need to have the surgery the first week of august. i am blessed with a 4 month old daughter born via a gestational carrier due to infertility problems.... thus i have recently been off of work. we also have a second child due the end of august via a gestational carrier..... so i will need to have the surgery.....give my self two full weeks to recover somewhat.... then be on baby watch. with early leave for surgery and then leave for a new baby i will be off work for about 7 weeks. then will go back to work 1 12 night shift per week for a couple of months. well so that is how my mind is thinking now. if this is how it works out it gives me several months to research and settle in my heart that this is the right decision for me. some may think that at a lower bmi that i should just diet. well that has not worked for me .... at least in the long term. i do not want my children to grow up seeing me struggle with weight. what i lose i gain back. now i need to lose 70 lbs and that seems monumental. i just do not want to fight my weight and grow bigger and bigger every decade. my mom just had the vsg in tucson the first of feb and is doing fabulous. so proud of her!!! so i have a great support system and buddy all in one. i work with several people who have also had the procedure. i guess my medical conditions are my only concern. i wonder if dr aceves will exclude me. time will tell. i guess my first thing to do is wait for the coordinator to contact me and she can answer some of my questions regarding timing, pricing, and criteria. i hope all goes well. love reading and learning from all of you on your journey. thanks for letting me share your experiences. hope hear great reports from all of you. kelly

3636milie.... i see that you are in az as i am. you said that you worked in many teaching facilities. are you a nurse? i am and was wondering if you are, how long did you wait before going back to patient care? thanks kelly

thanks for this post... i have the same questions. thanks for those who have posted and will post kelly

lee i also have RA, i am still in the thinking i want surgery phase.... what medications do you take for your RA post sleeve? did the doctor have any concerns with you and your drug regimen? thanks kelly

stuck... i see that you are from washington. is that washington state or washington dc? we have a summer house in washington state is why i am asking

stuck............ as i said i am very new in seriously thinking about having this done. i have thouht about it for a long time but knew that in the states i did not meet the requirements. my mom just had her VSG done in tucson in feb 2010. so exciting to see how well she is doing. she has a higher BMI then i do so the insurance covered. for me i will be self pay because i have a BMI of 32. but even with BMI of 32 i have 70lbs to lose. which try as i might the weight sticks with me.... i have done some research and so far Dr Aceves is the doctor that catches my attention. i just try to read all i can so that i make the best choice for myself and my family. about the cost... i only know that in Mexico it usually cost between 9,000-11,000. i do not know at all how much dr aceves cost. i do have some medical conditions and want the most experienced doctor. the cost plays a smaller role for me then the experience. i was asking of the time line because i really need to have the procedure done around the first week of august. the reason is simple but requires alot of explaining. see my second child is due to be born the end of august. obviously i am not pregnant and wanting VSG, we had to have a gestational carrier carry our pregnancy. well the timing is complicated so i was wondering.... how long it usually takes to get a date back from the team in mexico.

thanks kelly

FYI... i am still in the thinking hoping phase of the VSG, but on this note. I have been taking nexium for 5 years once daily because i have to take other medications that put my stomach at risk. it's just fine for the long run. kelly

How long did it take you to get scheduled for Dr Aceves once you made initial contact and what did he require you to do? thanks for the info. really new to the idea of VSG. kelly