LapGyrl

Thanks LucyGoose and DeeDee.

Hey people! I am so excited to find this forum. I've done my research and I'm convinced VSG is the right procedure for me. My problem.....NO INSURANCE! My job does not offer any benefits and I don't have the finances to cross the border. Also, my family would have a major fit if they knew I went Mexico to have surgery. They don't even know I've been looking into surgery. If I did have the courage and money to travel, I would definitely let Dr. Alvarez perform the surgery. The biggest motivation for me to lose the weight is my desire to have a family. I am not married and don't have any kids. I know that when at a healthy weight, pregnancy is easier and less risky for mom and baby. I want to be able to keep up with my kids (all 4-5 of them). I also don't want to be fat on my wedding day. I don't have any health issues at the moment but high blood pressure does run in my family so I want to lessen my risk of developing that and diabetes. The latter doesn't run in my fam (surprisingly because I'm Black) but being overweight makes me a prime candidate to have it. I have the typical history of being overweight all my life, being the big little sister, and basically the only overweight person in my immediate fam. I was average at the age of 5 but things went left after that. I've tried to do the diet thing and work out but it seems that after I lose 10 or 15 lbs, that's it! I am doing weight watchers and I've lost 9 lbs so far. I'm trying to get to the 250's by the new year. Currently I'm in the 260's (shhh!) :confused1: and stand 5'7. With VSG I would be happy just to make it below 200. For health purposes, I should aim to be in the normal BMI range which is below 160 for my height. I can't fathom being in the 150's. I would probably look ill but that is so far in the future I won't stress that number right now! I am hoping to get a job with benefits soon. I am a nursing assistant and was shocked that my company didn't offer health insurance but I need a paycheck so I had to take it. I start nursing school in January so scheduling will be an issue but I'm goingn to try to make it work! If all goes well, I'll schedule the surgery during a break from school so that I won't get behind. I guess I've told enough of my business for one day, lol. I look forward to meeting some interesting people up here and getting some good info! You can check out my youtube page under the same username. Later!!

It's great you've done so well post op. Hopefully my experience will also be a good one! I will try to get sleeved next year sometime (once I get a job with benefits!).

I am also looking into North Carolina surgeons. I live in the triangle area and I think I will have to travel to Charlotte. From what I've read on the message boards, Voellinger is the way to go. I believe there are two others but I can't recall their names at the moment. However I don't think they don't have as much experience (possibly why I didn't bother to commit them to memory). According to ObesityHelp, Voellinger has the most years of experience and has done the most VSG's in the area. If you come across another experience surgeon please pass the info! Thanks and good luck!

Hey Marquia! I have the same genetic factors working against me as well. Thankfully I don't have any health issues (that I know of) that are associated with obesity. My entire fam has high blood pressure. How ironic that I am the biggest person but I don't have it...yet! I want to get my weight down to a healthy BMI before any issues arise. I will probably be banded by the end of this year or beginning of next year depending on if I need to do the 6-month medically supervised diet. Good luck!

LOL, I was going to but I figured it would be easier for people to find me if I used the same name! Congrats on your 69lbs!

Hello everyone! I'm new to this forum and I wanted to introduce myself. I go by LapGyrl (I didn't realize how terrible that sounded until it was already my user Id on several sites, lol :w00t:). I am 26 years old and I live in North Carolina. I want to get the LapBand...ASAP! I am pretty sure this is the type of bariatric surgery I need. I have yet to see a doctor because I am not insured. Hopefully my process will start soon. I look forward to participating in discussions and getting to know some of you guys. Later! :blushing: