I met with my PCP today to discuss my plans for VSG and to get his opinion. He told me he thought it was a terrible idea and tried to convince me to go back on Adepex (AGAIN!!!!). I've been seeing this doc for the last nineteen years. He has seen me struggle and lose and gain and lose more times than I can count.

I've just given up hope on getting any support from anyone. Any person that I've mentioned it to acts as if I said I want to cut my own head off and I constantly get the "You're not that big" line. I weigh 195, 5'4". I think that's a BMI between 33-34. I realize I am not horribly obese, but I'm obese none the less. I have no health problems so everyone has the expectation that I should be able to do it on my own.

I'm starting to doubt myself and think that EVERYONE is right. I just don't think I can handle the failure/guilt/deprivation of another diet. I would appreciate any opinions.

Thanks - A

Are you planning to self pay? Most insurance won't cover you under 35 BMI

It sounds like you've already made up your mind. Get another doctor-- one that supports you. I had to. I'm very glad I did this.

I agree with @@BeagleLover too. Most PCP's don't know diddly squat about WLS.

I am self pay and although I feel comfortable with the surgeons in Mexico, I am VERY concerned with follow up care and support so I'm leaning towards a local surgeon. My total cost will be approx $13,500.

I agree with @@BeagleLover as well. My PCP always downplayed the idea..telling me just exercise more & eat less (like I've NEVER tried that before). Thankfully, my gyno (which is pretty much my primary doctor anyways), thought it was a wonderful idea, thought I would be perfect candidate and said he would be more than happy to be my sponsor (pre-op diet, etc). He has definitely been a cheerleader in my corner ever since - glad I took the chance to talk to him after the disappointing conversation with my PCP.

You had better check if $13,500 is for the surgery, or includes everything like hospital stay and meds. That seems like a low number. I looked into 4 different bariatric surgery programs here in Minnesota and was quoted anything from $18,000 to $28,000.

I had EXCELLENT care in Mexico...even better than when I was in the hospital here in the U.S. I paid $4300 for hotel, surgery, meds, and hospital care and my ticket into San Diego was $278. The medical program I went through picked me up at the airport in a limo and also dropped me back off when it was time to fly home.

I came home and now go to my own physician for follow-up care, which is covered by my medical insurance. Of course, I didn't tell my physician I was going the Mexico route until after I got back. I gave her all the records and I think it surprised her how thorough the medical care was.

My physician referred me to a nutritionist so insurance would cover that too, so I have that support as well.

@"mbrinmn" I am in the Deep South and the cost of living is lower. $13500 takes care of it all. Glad u had a good experience. Ive had a few friends go to Mexico with no probs whatsoever. I'm just worried about being in the 1-2% and having a major complication like a leak. No other surgeon is going to be as motivated to "fix it" like the original surgeon. I guess I'm scared that no one would want to touch me after going out of the country for surgery. There's so much fear of lawsuits in the medical field.

ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1417635739.232244.jpgImageUploadedByBariatricPal1417635759.097817.jpgImageUploadedByBariatricPal1417635775.781722.jpg

I met with my PCP today to discuss my plans for VSG and to get his opinion. He told me he thought it was a terrible idea and tried to convince me to go back on Adepex (AGAIN!!!!). I've been seeing this doc for the last nineteen years. He has seen me struggle and lose and gain and lose more times than I can count.

I've just given up hope on getting any support from anyone. Any person that I've mentioned it to acts as if I said I want to cut my own head off and I constantly get the "You're not that big" line. I weigh 195, 5'4". I think that's a BMI between 33-34. I realize I am not horribly obese, but I'm obese none the less. I have no health problems so everyone has the expectation that I should be able to do it on my own.

I'm starting to doubt myself and think that EVERYONE is right. I just don't think I can handle the failure/guilt/deprivation of another diet. I would appreciate any opinions.

Thanks - A

The first few people I told about surgery thought it was a terrible idea but I soon realized that every person I talked to was either talking from a place of ignorance (they have never had WLS) or fear (they didn't know anything about WLS and just didn't like the "idea" of it or they knew someone who had it and that person had "failed"). I got support from my surgeon's office, they connected me with other pre and post-op patients. These folks actually know from experience what they are talking about. They answered many of my pre-op questions and told me about their experiences.

I had my surgery with Dr. Alvarez in Mexico. I'd recommend more than any American doctor. Dr. Alvarez is amazing and posts so many videos on YouTube. I'd rather trust someone who has performed this surgery thousands of times than an American doc who's done it a fraction of times. I had the band and switched to Sleeve. Best decision I've ever made. It's always what I wanted, something to tell me in a hard way I've eaten too much. I'm not going to lie the the first month post op is hell! But I would do it over again because of my results. I've lost 54 lbs in 5 1/2 months and haven't even exercised. Of course every body has different body styles, genetics etc. I strongly recommend you see Dr. Alvarez website and YouTube videos.

I know where you're coming from. My bmi is 36 and I've heard many times "you're not that big". I've struggled to lose weight for the last 14 years. I don't feel good about myself, I have no energy, my blood pressure is high. .. I have many reasons for wanting to do this. With a bmi of 36 my insurance approved my surgery in 2 weeks. I have all my preop stuff scheduled for Dec. 30th. If you are certain this is what you want, don't let anyone talk you out of it. You know how you feel and what you want. Best of luck to you!

Well I am in the same boat as you, I weigh 170 butttt I am only 5' tall so I look about your size so I know how you feel!! I am not super obese but over weight enough to have high blood pressure. Everyone tells me I'm not big enough for the surgery but they don't know what I'm really supposed to look like. I have tried so many times, so many years, to loose weight, So I know how you feel. The route I decided to take was Cash Pay, I know this is not the most favorite way to have the Surgery but cash pay is the best way to go when your on the "smaller size" , that way you have more control. Well good luck to you and I hope you have a better outcome