AStephenson

That is awesome good news! Thank you for sharing....I sent in my health history forms today and have already been approved for surgery. Been emailing the coordinator with tons of questions and he/she?? (hard to know with a name like "Alma") has been very quick with responding, and very reassuring.

Sounds like I need to do that paperwork!

I've read about that too. Most people say the liquid you have to drink isn't very tasty, but tolerable. I've learned that some surgeons do it after surgery, and one that checks for leaks during surgery..if I understand correctly, if you are awake for it, you drink something and then have an x-ray to see if anything leaks out. I've also read that some surgeons leave a drain in for a short while post op, and if nothing leaks out it is removed and you are good to go. Of course the downside of that is...if you do have a leak, it's back into surgery but I assume that's uncommon and the test is done as like a double/triple check

I like the thought of that! I showed your pic to my hubby today, and mentioned that it sounded like we would be going around the same time and that maybe we could hook up..he is strongly against me going to Mexico, he's afraid something will go wrong and I wont make it home okay. It's been hard and slow going...but I'll get there, with our without him holding my hand while I squeeze my eyes shut for the plane ride! LOL So you've already sent your deposit and have a date? AND a plane ticket?? You're halfway there! Way to go! Where is Dr. Lopez doing your surgery, Tijuana?

Hi there- I started out researching the lap band as well but couldnt get my mind around the fact of that "thing" hanging around in my body that needed maintenance and I had to worry about it slipping, eroding, malfuntioning ect. Once I read about VSG I knew almost instantly it was what I wanted to do. If you think about it, both procedures are kinda "drastic" and even though they advertise the band as being reversible, one surgeon told me it was designed to be there for life. For me, what cemented the decision was the fact that both surgeries carried the same anesthetic risk, the same pre-op and post-op diet, same healing time...so why would I want to do the band, have it go bad or be unsuccessful and have it removed just to be looking at a revision to something else? Something that helped me considerably was watching videos on youtube..I've pasted some links for you of two in particular that I thought were helpful, but there are many. Check them out! Take your time, learn as much as you can about each procedure and you will become more comfortable with your decision! Take care http://youtu.be/3VmvWFu79Ik

I remember years ago when I tried Redux..anyone remember that?? Thank goodness it gave me a rash and I had to stop taking it after 2 weeks (horrible side effects, people died) but while I was on it I was strangely disconnected from my stomach...I went from 3 squares plus snacks a day to eating a handful of grapes one day and just not caring about food. My kids sat and ate chocolate cake in front of me and It was like I was watching them brush their teeth or something...no cravings, no interest whatsoever!! Is that what it's like once the surgery is done and most of the grehlin is absent??

PS...my daughter's name is Amanda Renee

I asked for info from Ready4Achange but havent filled anything out yet...also with Dr. Lopez...I'm hesitant still...I think part of me is afraid they will pressure me into trying to come right away, and while I'd love to get sleeved and start my new life, I'm just not ready to go it all alone yet...still sorting through my fears and short-comings. Also..It would just devastate me if I applied for financing ( I have less than a thousand saved up right now) and was turned down (another failure)this early in the game. I'm battling indecisions and know from past experiences that my first choice is to stick my head under a rock and not come up for air for a long time. I don't want to let myself down anymore..I want to do this for myself, I'm tired of making good on all promises but the ones I make for MYSELF. Have you filled out the paper work yet, talked with the coordinator or set up a surgery date/flight??

Hi Amanda! I live in Southeast Ohio and am planning surgery for this coming Spring. I'd love to go sooner, but have to save up money! Initially I was set on Dr. Alvarez but he is pricey and I'm afraid my impatience with waiting and saving will do me in...so I've been researching some of the lower priced surgeons. I will be going alone...I've never been anywhere alone, never even flown so I'm very uneasy thinking about it, but that hasn't weakened my resolve any..I WILL have this surgery! Just wish I could so it sooner...

I haven't had surgery yet but I know I won't have too hard a time getting used to being thinner. As it is now, sometimes I don't recognize myself in pictures. I think to myself.."oh wow! Is that really how big I am?" On a day to day basis when I look in the mirror I just see "me", not some huge person..I'm hoping it will be the same once I've lost half my weight!

Not exactly Brittany..but this is a sampling of my workout tunes, I ride my spin bike and do resistance training and they keep me energized and moving. 1:"Bodies" Drowning Pool 2:"Move it" Dope 3:"Burn it to the Ground" Nickelback 4:"Hand that feeds" Nine Inch Nails 5:"The Beautiful People" Marilyn Manson Basically anything with a hard, driving beat....Brittany would probably cover her ears! LOL

I've been thinking about this too...my husband commented he will "starve to death" once I get sleeved! I've been tempted to point out the fact that he could lose a few pounds and get healthier as well but that's just mean, isn't it? I hope he will be patient during at least the first few weeks post-op until I can figure out my own new eating style without having to cater hand and foot (and belly!) to him like I always have...we will see I guess

Hello- I have asthma too and have been worrying about the same thing..I found some web pages you may want to check out. I haven't been sleeved yet, hope to be by next Spring, but I went under a general anesthesia several years ago for gallbladder removal and had some complications. My surgeon told my husband "I was allergic" to the anesthetic gas so they had to do some adjusting. Also I had some coughing afterwards. I never asked any specific questions at the time, but now that I'm considering another surgery, I'm thinking of requesting my records to figure out exactly what may have gone wrong, and to forward that info to my weightloss surgeon. http://www.livestron...-on-asthmatics/ http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/11050961 http://tahoedoc.hubp...esia-and-Asthma

wow...they weren't worried? No breathing treatment offered? Didn't they know you had asthma? Did you have your own inhaler to use? When my asthma is acting up I cough like crazy, no way would I want to be doing that right after surgery....yikes!

OH....MY....GOODNESS!!! Very interesting article indeed! I've noticed this to be true for myself..watching tv, not hungry or snacky then the commercials start and I'm suddenly ravenous. Take a bite of something really decadent and throw furtive glances about, thinking, "where can I be all alone with this?" or actually feel...dare I say it....aroused?? TMI I know!...but how can food elicit such responses?? My mind acts very inappropriately at times...

Our plan will cover drug and alcohol counseling and treatment, but not food addiction. So if I became an alcoholic and fried my liver (self-inflicted) I would have coverage to attempt to regain my health, but nothing for nutrition counseling, medically supervised diets or stronger methods if those fail. Just really smacks a bit...hard!

Hello- I have asthma as well and am worried about problems with surgery. May I ask how bad is your asthma, and if you were taking any medications at the time of your surgery?? Right now my asthma is well controlled with my medications, but nonetheless I'm terribly worried! Any comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

Hi Susan..I live in Ohio too! I have asked my PCP if he will do my follow up after surgery, and he agreed. He seemed to already know what bloodwork I would need and such.... How did your surgery go??? Hope you are doing well!

Is this group still active?? Wondering if anyone from this group had their surgeries done in Mexico, self pay?? I live in SE Ohio..anyone close to me?

Anyone out there have Ohio BCBS? I attended a bariatric Seminar mid-July in preparation for surgery and found out my group plan excludes bariatric services..of ANY kind, but through self-research discovered that the company itself covers bariatric surgery. Where do I go from here? Does anyone have any experience with this?? I'm at a loss...please help!

Hello-My husbands employer (Im on his plan) also excludes bariatric services. I have called both his HR person (no response) and BCBS to ask about this. BCBS told me that even though it is an exclusion on our group plan I could still appeal it, but he said he didnt know how successful I would be. I've gathered a few things, planning on doing my own appeal, but I have no idea how to proceed and just decided to look into selfpay and having surgery in Mexico. Right now Im saving money and have resigned myself to a VERY long wait to raise the money needed for self pay. Maybe you could appeal? I may still try, nothing else going on while I wait, squirreling away my pennies! If I get anywhere, I'll be sure and let you know!

Hello I'm researching as well, and am also self pay..as of right now, due to finances, I am considering surgery with Dr. Alvarez, in Mexico. There are cheaper surgeons in other areas of Mexico, but I feel comfortable in knowing that Dr. Alvarez's hospital is only 1 mile over the border from Eagle Pass, Texas in a small city away from the bulk of all the hooplah that's going on down there and the fact that he has done over 4000 sleeves with excellent reviews. Currently saving money and brainstorming for faster ways to finance my surgery

Hi there- I've been doing research for my own hoped-to-have surgery and read on other forums that gas-X strips have been a big help for other folks right after surgery..maybe you could try them? Have a great day!

Well that sure is sucky, to say the least! I just started mid-july on my weight loss surgery journey and already I've been shot down by my insurance, thankfully I haven't gone through anything but an hour long bariatric seminar to find out though. I was sorely disappointed, I can imagine how upset and frustrated you must be feeling right now, probably even angry and I completely understand. I'm not giving up...too early in the game for me, and you shouldn't either. You've gone this far, don't turn back now!

Hello! I just joined the group and have been busy reading everyone's posts and soaking up all the great and generous information provided. I am newly considering VSG with Dr. Alvarez, found out about it researching the lap band(my cousin was urging me to have it done after her lap band success) and watching his youtube videos. I just cant get my mind around the idea of having that foreign device willingly implanted and the ensuing "maintenance" so now after learning about VSG I have myself completely talked out of it! I'm currently trying to gain my husbands support and researching finances. I've never been much of a money saver and know it will take me FOREVER to save up $9000, especially since I'm currently unemployed! I've already been shot down for the lapband procedure by my insurance here in the states, so I know VSG surgery in Mexico is not going to be approved either..I've read a lot of folks get it financed and the interest rates and terms vary a lot. Just wondering what kind of monthly payments people have?? Also...am I correct in that some people have applied for credit through Dr. Alvarez's website, been approved, then denied credit?? Craziness....