rhw94123

Sorry to have been a lurker on here -- I've never participated in a forum mostly on iPad before... I keep thinking I'll get to a desktop and do the courteous thing and post and respond, but I'm seldom at a desktop ! Sorry about that! I am an older (50 year old) mom to 3 kids under 12 who has become obese the last five years and stayed that way despite very regular, concerted exercise the last 18 months. I have many high BP readings, high-ish cholesterol, sometimes high-ish blood sugar. I feel like a ticking time bomb of bad health and I need to do what it takes to get healthy now (BMI has bounced around 31-33.5 the last three years despite a lot of effort on my part). I am getting ready to pull the trigger and firm up a sleeve date in MX in November. I have spent hours reading these forums and various blogs, etc., and--for somewhat intangible reasons, I have become comfortable with Dr. Illan and florence Hospital. BUT-- I'm now at the "seeking-reassuring-information-to-provide-to-loved ones-so-they-will-help-with-chlldcare" stage and I'm eager to find a few easy links or printouts to put under their noses. They won't/don't have the time to surf forums for hours. In fact, my husband is a broadcaster/journalist whose efficient, analytical research style will lead him right to a senior/expensive "elder statesman of bariatric surgery" type doc like Dr. Aceves, which would be fine if every $500 didn't matter to me, but it does. If anyone has seen a posting or blog where someone succinctly recites some verifiable stats or facts about Dr. Illan and/or Florence Hospital, I would sure appreciate being directed there. The kinds of things that will get my dear husband in helpful mode (agreeing to handle care of three kids while I'm gone) would be info on which hospital Florence uses as back-up for severe complications (I assume Angeles, based on what I've read, but I don't have the facts to sing praises of Angeles' sophistication, stellar rating, etc.), impressive, verifiable fact-lets about Dr. Illan, what support might be available if a complication occurred back home, etc. Thanks in advance if anyone can send me a link, etc. I have joined the helpful FB group for their practice and (as a result of hours of reading and some corresponding with patients) *I* am comfortable, but I need those bullet points for the husband if possible . Best wishes, Annie (getting close to a November 2013 Mexican sleeve date)

Good to see/meet both of you on here, ShayLeigh & Chaych! Chaych, where are you getting your RNY? I have honed in on a couple of Mexican surgeons and am trying to get in about October 17 or 18 myself.

Hi, ShayLeigh-- I am in Southern Idaho (2.5 hrs north of SLC). I am approved for the sleeve at a nearby Center of Excellence, but their self-pay rate is high enough that I haven't committed to them at this point. I am self-pay and have decided to shop around and see if I can get comfortable with any of the out-of-market surgeons with way more competitive pricing. My BMI is 33 and (while I am not diagnosed with any comorbidities) I'm sure I could get myself diagnosed because I have many slightly-high BP, cholesterol and blood sugar results since I gained this weight over the last 4-6 years. I have three kids under 12 and feel so worried about my health all the time that I just want to PAY to get this tool and get things in line (rather than wait for possible/maybe/partial insurance coverage !). Best wishes, Annie