libguy2753

I don't know where you are getting your "stats" from, but I can tell you they aren't accurate.

Really? I actually feel the opposite way. My thought is that this surgery costs a big chunk of money. I'm going to do every single thing I can to maximize the benefits of it. Otherwise, what's the point?

I'm just curious, did your sleeve surgeon tell you what he expected you would lose with the surgery? I had my consult with my doctor this week, and I was kinda surprised by the comments he made. He flat-out said to me "you won't become skinny" and that I'll only have 60% EWL at most. I know he's saying that because he is trying to be realistic, but I thought that was a fairly discouraging thing to say to a new patient. Doesn't my weight loss really depend on the things I do (or don't do) with the sleeve? I was just reading about a guy at OH who lost over 200lbs with the sleeve. I want to be that guy. I don't want to be thinking in my head "okay that's about the limit for loss with a sleeve."

I have no experience with Costa Rica, obviously. But if price is a big concern for you, the doctor I'm going to, Dr. Mark Pleatman, charges $11,200 for the sleeve. He's located in Bloomfield Hills, MI, which is about 30 miles outside of Detroit.

I wouldn't go to Mexico for surgery, mainly because I know there are a number of doctors in the US who do the sleeve for about the same price as if I were to fly to Mexico, including the one I'm going to. So there's really no reason at all for me to leave the country for the sleeve. By the time you add in travel costs, it's not any more inexpensive. Plus there is still that language barrier that is possible with some of the nurses. I don't think the Mexican surgeons are somehow less qualified though. You'll find good and bad ones all over the world.

They make 0 cal, 0 carb energy drinks. Not that they're exactly a great nutritious choice anyway. lol

This place just opened! I'll continue posting here, that's for sure.

Nope, I'm here too! Soon to be sleeved.

You are truly an inspiration. What a great story! As a preop, it's hard for me to imagine that transformation. I hope I can be as successful with the sleeve as you were.

4-10 miles?! That sounds like such a foreign concept to me right now! I would love to be able to do that post-VSG.

Given all the vacations Bush took, there shouldn't be any issue with the Obamas going on a date. It's not like they went and had a $1000 sundae.

Thanks for the comments everyone. Right now, I'm looking into a couple other possibilities. Though it would be worth it no matter what the cost to lose the weight, it's still so hard for me to justify taking out student loans with insanely high rates.

Unfortunately no weight loss is going to make me any taller. :biggrin: So I'll probably always be described as short (5'7"). I think right now I'm probably described as a short massive whale. I'd be happy to get to being just considered "average." I think my height is basically average, so it'd be nice for the weight to match that.

Wow! That really is a huge difference. What about recovery time for the sleeve? I know the band is either an outpatient procedure or just an overnight stay.

So are you saying the sleeve is considered a better option for high-BMI patients than the band? There's a better chance of losing a larger amount of weight? Thanks for the posts guys. The sleeve is looking better and better to me. I don't quite want a bypass, so this seems like a good alternative.