Decided to have weight loss surgery and have started the research phase. I have definitely decided on the sleeve and I am happy I found this site.

I will have to have the surgery overseas due to costs and lack of insurance coverage for any type of weight loss services. That is actually proving more difficult then I thought! Most people seem to have had the procedure down in Mexico. I was looking at Costa Rica or the Dominican Republic but can't find any posters who have had it done in either of those countries. I was happy to see some posts about Medical Tourism services...as I was going to look into that.

My game plan is to have it done sometime this spring (I teach so that would be over spring break). I was wondering what are some things I can do to prepare myself physically between now and then?

I am 42 years old. I am 5 feet 5 inches and weight 240 lbs. I would like to weigh between 140 and 150 lbs.

Any advice would be helpful!

I was hoping to have the surgery in Mexico as well, but when it came down to it, I just couldnt afford it, so I opted to jump through the hoops required of my insurance company.

However, I would be very weary and careful of having the surgery done internationally especially since you cant find any one with a testimony or two about surgery in Costa Rica or DR.

Good luck to you! I hope that you find a safe and trustworthy place to get sleeved. I was recently sleeved and feel like its the best thing Ive ever done for Me!

I have not heard any bad things about Dr. Zafrani in Costa Rica. I don't know about any Dominican Republic surgeons, sorry.

Start with the head work now. You'll have to do it at some point. I didn't do it prior to surgery and I'm doing it now that I'm steps away from goal. I just read a really great book called "Hungry" by Allen Zadoff. No, he didn't have surgery and he's even a little opposed to the idea. The book doesn't contain a diet plan or a how-to, but it does talk about the emotional issues and our attachments to food - if you're an overeater, this is a great book to pick up and it's a quick and easy read. If you're not, it will be less useful for you.

Try to figure out what makes you eat, what exactly keeps you from losing weight on traditional plans, etc. I didn't realize I had so many emotional triggers. I was also in denial about being an overeater. All the way up to surgery I was convinced that it was purely a metabolic issue with me, and while to some extent that's true, I was totally denying the fact that I loved to stuff my face with food that was bad for me. Try to understand yourself. You're going to do this work at some point if you want to be totally successful with this surgery, so you might as well start now.

Try to cut out your most harmful foods now. Try to make tiny steps towards how you will eat post op. Don't go whole-hog into a diet plan (unless you want to) because if you've made up your mind to have surgery you're just going to make yourself crazy trying to do a diet now. But focus on healthier eating. Once your surgery date is booked you'll likely have a few food funerals. Most of us do. But make new habits now to get your head and body closer to where you'll be post op. It will help, I promise. Make one meal a day a healthy pre-op portion of something you might eat post-op - like tuna salad with whole wheat crackers, instead of a big sandwich and chips. Or whatever - I'm trying not to make any assumptions about your eating habits since I don't know you. Drink those eight glasses of Water a day. Try adding in a Protein shake at night instead of a cookie. Do little things to help ease the transition.

I did none of these things and was surprised by how emotional and honestly distressed I was after surgery, when I couldn't use food for comfort or to socialize. It took me a while to learn how to work this new me into my old life without falling back into bad habits.

I self-paid and went to Mexico. I can tell you that you simply are not going to find negative reviews or comments about Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. He charges a bit more than some of the other international surgeons but you get top notch care from a doctor with NO leaks and NO deaths. He's strict - that 20 day liquid diet post op was h-a-r-d but is really important for safe healing.

I took out an unsecured loan through my bank with no problem. The only bill I have that I'm happy to pay is that one! I never complain about it and I never resent it. I'm just thankful I could get it done.

Good luck to you. I have to things to say that are sort of contradictory. One, every doctor has to gain experience some time - so the guy with the most (complication free) surgeries under his belt is always a good option but don't discount someone with less experience if you trust that doctor. Two, I trust world-of-mouth reviews more than anything else. I watched this board for a year before having my surgery, and Dr. Aceves inspired a great deal of loyalty from his patients. I contacted his office and all of my interactions with Nina and Gaby were wonderful, so I had no reason to feel any concern about using him. And once I met him, I completely understand why his patients love him so much. He's a really fantastic surgeon and a great guy who will tell you the truth about what to do to lose the weight.

I recommend him very highly, so if you don't find anyone in Costa Rica or the Dominican Republic, there's always Mexico!

~Cheri

That is great that you are considering WLS. I have sent you a private message. It is a life changer.

Good Luck.