Here's my story, it's pretty long...

I've always been a big girl, big and tall. I think since the 2nd grade. I remember weighing 90 lbs in the 2nd grade, I don't know what the norm was for 2nd graders in the 80's. I don't remember ever weighing less than 200 lbs. I'm 5'11". I won't list every diet program I've been on, but I was successful with slimfast/ephedra/daily exercise, HCG, and the Body for Life Challenge. WeightWatches frustrated me because I was allowed more points because of my height, worked out daily, and wouldn't lose while everyone else would lose 3+ lbs/week. At one point I thought something was wrong with me, my metabolism measurements were not low according to the BodyBugg.

No doctor would ever mention my weight. I thought that was odd. Fast forward to 2011 when I switched to Kaiser insurance. I was the one to bring up my weight because my doctor skipped over it since I have excellent blood work and vitals *eye roll*. He suggested the VSG and said he had many successful patients with it. My BMI is 39 (280 lbs, yikes!) and I have high cholesterol (he told me that is a co-morbidity). I first heard about VSG after learning the rapper Paul Wall had it. I said nah, I can lose it on my own, he wrote me a Rx for Phentermine. FF a year later, I'm 20 lbs heavier, I couldn't tolerate the Phentermine, I'm very sensitive to stimulants. I made the call and said lets move forward with the VSG process.

I met with the nutritionist. She didn't see how I was qualified, she said my cholesterol is a little high but my LDL looks great and is "to die for." Yes, she really said that to me. So I gave her my family history of diabetes and she said she will use that. She needed documentation of my weight from 2009. I tracked down some records from a Bariatric Clinic I went to. I had an issue getting the records to her in a timely manner. I would e-mail and call to follow up and would never get called back.

I got fed up with Kaiser's unprofessionalism. I was pissed off because I'm not fat enough and too healthy to get an instant approval. I learned more about Medical Tourism from reading these forums and started researching surgeons in Mexico. I chose Dr. Ramos Kelly. I sent him an e-mail directly last week and he responded to me in 15 minutes. Yes, 15 minutes! I sent off all my paperwork, and he called me yesterday and we spoke. I picked his brain (I'm a PhD) and requested photos and/or videos of my stomach. We both laughed. I'm weird like that! He said I can bring a camera and he will snap some photos of my somach for me. Yay! My date is set for March 29th and I couldn't be happier! I'm finally making the investement in my happiness that I have deserved for years. I have only told 2 other people that I'm going to Mexico. I can't take the ignorant comments when it comes to Mexico. A friend and I went on vacation in Peurta Vallarta last year and I couldn't believe all of the ignorant comments we got before going (I hope you don't get kidnapped...really?!?). I love Mexico! The culture and the food! Viva la Mexico!!! I told a few close friends that I am having WLS done this year, and my parents. I stopped telling people because some family and friends were not supportive. Like, one of my fat friends was like I don't want you to have the surgery, but I will support you. WTF, why you want me to stay fat like you? Sorry, that's mean but that's what I was thinking in my head. I have 2 friends with the band and one with gastric bypass, and I have their support. I'm 32, single, and make good money and I deserve this. I was just thinking today that I will not be fat on my 33rd birthday this year!

Ok, so that's my story. Thanks for reading

Necta and Premiere Ok I've heard of those. Thanks for chatting. Let me know how everythings works out and I'll keep you posted as well. Best wishes