April sleevers in mexico

[butternickles 14]

Hello All!

I'm Carol, and I'll be sleeved at the OCC on Friday, April 4th. So I'll be coming in Thursday and leaving the next Monday, April 7th. Just took the obligatory before photo, though most of my photos lately have been before photos. I wish Flickr had instead of a delete option, a "tear up, burn and bury the ashes" option, because that's how I feel about my reflection right now.

I've been doing the research I believe we've all been doing. I decided on the sleeve but was denied by the psychologist who works for my insurer. She said, in a somewhat condescending, whispery talking-to-a-child voice, that my history of depression and past use of alcohol make me a bad candidate for the procedure. I take Effexor for my depression/anxiety, and it works well for my anxiety and for the bulk of my depression, but I don't think it will ever go away completely. And I have had bouts of excessive drinking, but for the most part I've had that under control for years now. I know exactly why it would be a bad idea to drink with the sleeve, and I know I wouldn't put myself in that position-but how would I prove that to her? To her I'm a statistic, she says I have a higher chance of "suicidality", which apparently is a word, because my brother died that way. When in reality, I would never commit suicide, because I know exactly what it does to a family, and how it's a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

I appreciate life all the more for having been close to someone who gave theirs away. I understand that statistically that's not the case. But I'm not a statistic, I'm a person; a nice person with quirks but also a logical mind, a person who has learned from her flawed but nonetheless valid journey of self-discovery. I've gone from being a young single mother with a high school diploma all the way through graduate school to where I can now support my little family. I shook my demons off one by one, but I can't shake off this weight. I've tried and sometimes succeeded for a time, but it always comes back, plus 20% more. Now my back and feet hurt, even my fat clothes aren't fitting right, and I'm having trouble appreciating all the things I've worked so hard to achieve. I won't let Kaiser tell me what I can't do. I will take their reasoning into consideration however, that if I drink with the sleeve, the alcohol will be absorbed faster because of my smaller stomach, increasing my blood/alcohol levels and putting additional stress on my kidneys, pancreas and liver. I know that people have destroyed their health by drinking too much after WLS, and I don't want that for myself.

I don't think I'm ever going to fit into their mold though. I can't change my family history, so I'm going down to Mexico.

Who else is coming?

Edited March 16, 2014 by butternickles

[BrandNewBrandy 79]

Hi Carol my date is also April 4th in mexico. I'm getting sleeved by Dr. Illan at Florence Hospital and staying at the lucerna hotel.

[Eppa 0]

April 23 rd with dr illan!

[Kisha Mason 16]

butternickles what an awesome story. thanx for sharing. i also have kaiser as well and when i was thinkin of gettin the surgery i was told i'd have to go through all these hoops to PROVE i needed the surgery and i cant just be plain ol' fat. i'd need other complications along with it...which i dont have! i think its unfortunate they hold ur past against u for a better life. im bypassing kaiser and just heading to mexico myself. April 25th with Dr. Q in TJ!! im soooo excited (yet nervous) at the same time.

[alwaysonadiet 47]

For all you upcoming Mexico sleevers: before heading home to the US go to the pharmacy and get pantozol and B Vitamin injections if you're a woman (not associated with surgery) and have any use for Retin A get that too. (Might as well look skinnier and younger, ha) you don't need a prescription for these meds and the pantozol is the same as Nexium and the B injections you will need once a month and if you do it your self it's way cheaper. Not to mention swallowing those pills daily is painful. This is B1, B6, B12 all in one injection only needed once a month. Gives you lots of energy. The Dr.s and nurses will advise and help you with what to get, it will save you $$ in the long run.

[mzjay 30]

Hi everyone.....I'm going to see Dr garcia tomorrow. I'm excited that I am able to go visit the hospital and meet him before I schedule my surgery. Is anyone else having surgery with him and would like me to ask him any specific questions? I understand most people are not able to have a consultation before surgery so I'm doing it for us all...let me know

[Kate2014 5]

I am scheduled 4/12 with Dr. Elias Ortiz. Staying at the Marriott. I start pre op diet next week and I don't think it will sink in until then

[CassandraCorner 16]

I am scheduled 4/12 with Dr. Elias Ortiz. Staying at the Marriott. I start pre op diet next week and I don't think it will sink in until then

We will be there at the same time!! I get mine done 15th

[Kate2014 5]

CassandraCorner...

What day do you arrive? I leave on the 16th, so we should see each other.

[raychel74 22]

April 15th for me! Dr Venezuela at MBC in TJ! So excited! My co- worker got hers done there last month and she was so happy with the whole process & more so, the outcome!! CANT WAIT!

[CassandraCorner 16]

CassandraCorner...

What day do you arrive? I leave on the 16th, so we should see each other.

I arrive on the 14th

[SleevedMoonGurl 1]

Hello Everyone, I'm new to BP. My VSG surgery is scheduled for April 1 with Dr. Pompa. I'm nervous and excited!

[patva 11]

COS-- you are I great hands with Dr Kelly. I have had a great experience with Dr Kelly and NOVA hospital. The hospital look older , but the care is exceptional. Better than any care I received in the states . I have had good results and no complications. Dr Kelly is a highly qualified surgeon, based on his background is why I chose him. I am a physician and wanted to make sure I was going to someone who has the surgical background for any and all complications.

He and his team are the most caring people I have encountered in health care.

[ms_adams 0]

We're a military family so we do have insurance however does anyone know if it's covered in Mexico too? I've seen ads but never too sure if they're legit or not. I've seen a YouTube video for Dr. Lopez. Any advice?

[COS 0]

Thank you, Patva. This to is why I am choosing Dr. Kelly. Seems he is the one the complicated ones go to or are referred to. I want the one with the experience. Know he has trained some of the others as well. That all said, I am still nervous to have this done. My day is coming up for the 12th