So, I've been lurking for a while and have decided to join the fold.

I decided about 10 years ago that I was never going to 'diet' again and would have to either make piece with my size or have surgery. I have made piece to a certain extent, but I have recently made a huge investment in myself by returning to school. I have one more year left. It has been a huge time and financial commitment and I feel like my size will likely hurt me as I seek employment in a competative field. So...for the last year or so I have thought about surgery more earnestly.

My insurance expressly does not cover any weight loss surgery so I will be self pay (or self borrow) as the case may be. I live in the Pacific NW and surgery seems cost prohibitive, so I am leaning towards Mexico.

I have tons of questions, of course, but mainly I am looking for support as I have isolated myself quite a bit over the years. In that vein, if one tavels to Mx, can you go alone? I don't have anyone to go with. Also if anyone knows of good support groups in the Seattle area that are open to the public I would love to start going and learning.

Thanks for your ear.

I hear you on concerns that excess weight will hold you back on your career. I think about that a lot too.

I haven't had surgery yet; I'm heading to Mexico July 2, on my own, as well. But this site was a huge help to me when it came to making the decision and choosing a surgeon!

Have you visited the Self-Pay, Mexico forum? If you start at the forum main page, you just scroll down almost to the bottom to find it. There is a ton of information there. There are many, many people who have done the Mexico trip alone and most say it worked really well for them.

Good luck with your research!

Hi ! I'm glad that you've chosen to join us and welcome. I'm confident that you'll find lots of support and advice on here. If I was in the Pacific Northwest we could be buddies! (I'm in Michigan). Congratulations on returning to school as well. That's quite an accomplishment. It sounds as though you are going to have one really exciting year coming up.

Check out the "Western Washington Sleevers" forum, particularly the Seattle Flab discussion... I'm down in Olympia and retired military, so my experiences are going to be quite different from what you will go thru...

Al

Welcome and congratulations on taking your first step. With the investment of going to school, making another investment for your health is a wise decision. I know that my weight had a big impact on not getting hired - and it's a legal form of discrimination. It's legal to not hire smokers, so it wouldn't surprise me if fat people were next ( because being fat is a choice you know). I really felt as though I was looked at as one big healthcare cost.

I am going to Mexico next month for VSG and even with plane tickets and passport expenses, food, hotel, incidentals, etc., it will still be less $$ than having it done in the states.

Hey Pretty face, I'm from the PNW North Lake Washington area. I went to MX and I'm here for ya! My daughter is going in the fall so maybe we can work together.

Oh and welcome:D