Hello everyone, just wanted to say how grateful I am to have found this group! I have been struggling with my weight all of my adult life (just turned 45). I have been successful losing the weight several times, only to end up gaining everything back within a couple of years . I had just about given up, when a nursing coworker told me about the gastric sleeve procedure she was considering. My BMI is 36 (5ft 4in), so I didn't think I would qualify. Due to my high blood pressure though, BCBS of MI said that I would! I have to undergo 6 months of supervised nutritional counseling- which I started this week. My surgery date, if all goes as planned, should be late April 2014. I look forward to following everyone's progress & am thrilled to be able to join a group where I am understood- all I hear from family and friends is "no, you don't need surgery." They just don't understand how heartbreaking it is to lose and gain back the same 70 pounds .

I'm not in Detroit metro anymore (we live in Alaska now) but we used to live in Beverly Hills just up the road from Beaumont Royal Oak. <3 Good memories for this Michigander at heart.

Had my surgery at Beaumont royal oak four months ago. They were awesome! You're in good hands.

MI peeps. Just an update on the psychology eval portion. I had mine yesterday with Heather Myers. It went well. I had to fill out about 5 pages of questions, talk to the psychologist, and then fill out 165 true/false questions on a computer which from my understanding is more of a personality quiz.

Lisa206. Is it 87,000$? or 8,700? I do not think you are crazy. It seems like there are a lot of people who have gone to Mexico to have it done. I don't know much about it in Mexico but I know I sure couldn't afford the 30,000$ out of pocket.

I am going to Mexico to have it done on November 16th. It is costing me $6,500 not including travel.

Natty Kay, It will cost me 8,700. Not including air fare In Mexico with Dr Alvarez . You can look him up on the web. He is ranked very high, and others seem very very pleased. Sometimes I start to think and doubt myself. I worry, will I be 70 yrs old and still sipping Water all day and worrying about my Protein?? Then I worry what if I get really sick when I am elderly and I am frail with no stamina and then I waste away... Thennn. I start thinking if you don't have this you won't be 70. I am 206 now and I don't over eat...I just. Can't figure out my issue...it's like evey yr I get a little softer a little bigger. I do have an appt with my IM she recommended it 3yrs ago when I was 201.

I am set for November. I read a lot about constipation. That worries me, I hope that's not forever.... Any words of encouragement.... .?

Terri82much...maybe we cd correspond. Since we are on the same day?

My dr is Guillermo Alvarez. I am just nervous. I worry that when I am elderly I will have problems from this and be frail and still sipping Water and counting Protein. Then I worry if I don't have it I won't live to be elderly.

And I'll have no change in my life if I don't do this....am I worrying too much

Thankfully my insurance covers mine in the states. My heart goes out to you guys. I am 287 with a 54 BMI. I have always been overweight but now I am just out of control.

I think it is normal to worry but I also think you need to feel very very confident that this is the right step for you before you go through with it. I have been looking into this for about 8 years but I always had reservations until now. Everyone is different and everyone has their way of handling their worries but I would say talking to the Dr or nurse prior to surgery would be best so that a professional can try to find what your fears really are. You are in the right place though to get support and encouragement.

Hello to all of the my fellow Michiganders! I, hopefully, will have my surgery through St. John Providence. My coordinator applied for insurance approval Friday so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed at this point.