I?m new to the forum, but I have been reading and digesting a lot of information from this site. I would like to say Thank You to everyone who posts the information is very enlightening.

My name is David; I live in N. Oklahoma with my wife, two kids and six animals.

I will turn 41 in week and I weigh 345 lbs and my BMI is 49. I?m the unhealthiest I have ever been in my life and I don?t see it getting better in the future without some assistance.

I am working towards getting my procedure scheduled and I?m really happy about my decision. I wish I hadn?t waited so long to make this decision but I have always been a person who just thought I could handle it myself. With age comes wisdom and I now realize that there is now shame in giving yourself the best advantage for success and that?s what I will be doing for me now.

I will be scheduling my procedure with Dr. Jose Rodriguez in Juarez Mexico, so if you have any information about the Doctor or the facility I would love to hear it, the more information I get the better.

Thank you all in advance and I look forward to becoming part of this community.

David T

David -

I can't offer you any information about Dr. Rodriguez but I will tell you that you will be so glad that you did this. I am 42 and weighed 291 on the day of my surgery. My life had gotten so uncomfortable and depressing - I felt bad ALL the time! And even though I am only 5 days out from surgery and have lost only 11 pounds I am so happy! I know that the rest of my life is going to be so very different and it will be GOOD!

Good luck to you!

Kathy

Welcome David - I'm familliar with Ponca as I used to live in Tulsa years ago. I'm glad you've made the decision to help save your life via VSG. I used to have co-morbidities and was on several meds pre-surgery. Now I'm at goal, the co-morbities are gone, and I'm off all meds except for my Vitamins and acid reducer. Life is good!

Your wife, kids, and animals will be happy to have you around longer! Good luck!

Hi David! I'm also new to this site (just got here a week ago). I will also be scheduling my VSG with Dr Rodriguez, but at the Tijuana facility, in Hospital INT. I have a few friends who have gone to him and are very happy with the whole experience. My package includes 1 night in the hospital and 1 in hotel in Tijuana. All dr's fee (anesthesiologist, in-hospital medications, hospital stay, 24 hr nurse), etc. Everythign for $6200!!!!. I got this deal with Belite Weight and my coordinator Sylvia. She has been great to work with:).

I'm planning for Sept-Oct to have it done. I'm 254 lbs and this is the heaviest I've been. My knees hurt sooooo bad. I've had a back problem for about 10 years now and this weight is killing me. Fortunately I do not have diabetes (yet), nor major health issues, so I guess I better do this fast before is too late:)

Keep us posted on your progress, as I will keep you about mine:)

Take care, Zoyla:)

Can't help with the Doctor, but wanted to welcome you and wish you all the luck in the world on your journey. It has really made a huge difference in my life. Like you, I just wish I would have done something like this years ago. Even at 51 it has given me my life back and I'm grabbing the bull by the horns.

Keep us posted on your journey.

So glad to welcome you aboard! Sorry I don't have info about your surgeon either, but keep posting. Both pre and post op we experience things that we are sure no one else has, but one of us is bound to have had the same questions. We are a tight little family here, welcome aboard!

Anna

Hi David, welcome to the group. I have found these lovely people to be invaluable in my journey and I am sure they will be of great help to you too. I agree 100% with TexasT, I am the same and I have recently even managed to drop the acid reducers too. So now I only medicate with vitamins and supplements to try to stave off age and wrinkes LOL. Losing battle but hey ho. At 41 you are in your prime and in any case it has not really been available that long. You are doing it at a good time because there is plenty of long term data now and lots of other people in the same boat to support you.

All the best.

Jane x

Welcome david

I don't have any info on your doc, but just wanted to welcome you aboard.

Deb

Got my date of Oct 8th with Dr. Jose Rodriguez, and I have to say that I'm just about as excited as I was when my children were born.

LOL David - I can so relate to that feeling! Congratulations on your decision.

Hi David, welcome to the group. I have found these lovely people to be invaluable in my journey and I am sure they will be of great help to you too. I agree 100% with TexasT, I am the same and I have recently even managed to drop the acid reducers too. So now I only medicate with Vitamins and supplements to try to stave off age and wrinkes LOL. Losing battle but hey ho. At 41 you are in your prime and in any case it has not really been available that long. You are doing it at a good time because there is plenty of long term data now and lots of other people in the same boat to support you.

All the best.

Jane x

Thats a good point Jane, I was kicking myself for not getting WLS earlier but if I had it would of been the band and just between you and me I don`t think I would of liked the band at all.

Congratulations, David, on your surgery date! My husband and I both had surgery with Dr. Rodriguez in Tijuana, on July 22nd. We have heard that the hospital in Juarez is even nicer, but our experience was great. The place was clean and the people were wonderful. Dr. Rod and his whole team made us feel good about our decision from the very start, and we have had no complications. Everything went just like it was planned, and we couldn't be happier.

Hi David

Welcome on board .... So glad you have your surgery date. I am due to be sleeved two days before you on the 6th October ....... !!!! Exciting !!!

I will be checking in to see your progress.

Wishing you all the best,

Sue