Hello Friends. I am a long-time follower of the site and want to first start off by thanking all of you for your posts and insights. Here's my deal:

After months of consideration and internet research, I pulled the trigger and went to a seminar here in the Bay Area for a local doctor. Due to the holidays, I cannot get in to see him until Jan 22 for a first appointment. I have a BMI of 44.1 and my insurance does cover the surgery (Anthem PPO - $3500 out of pocket). However, given all the research I've done, I would be lucky if I got a surgery date in early March if I met all of the requirements.

On the other hand, I am totally open to going to Tijuana for surgery. I am in contact with both Dr. Garcia and Dr. Kelly's offices and could get sleeved as early as the first week of January. The price difference would be ~$1000 plus I will have to coordinate aftercare w/ my PCP.

I am 100% sure that this is the right thing for me after being obese for the last 21 years, but now I am getting antsy. I'm home alone for the holidays so I think this would be the perfect time to do my 2-week pre-surgery diet. What do you guys think? Should I go for it or am I being too hasty?

It's up to you. I was sleeved in Tijuana and I loved the experience. Either waiting until March or doing it now is really just a matter of what you want.

I think Mexico is a great option, but follow up and heaven forbid, help if you have a complication can be more difficult. I don't know the right answer for you, but I would wait and stay local since you do have the insurance. It is hard to be patient but you can start working on habit changes etc...

I would go for it

If it only gets you in a couple of months early, I would stick with the local surgeon. Your post-op care will be much easier, with nothing out of the ordinary to coordinate. I think it if was going to be 6 months or a year, then I might consider it, but not to save myself one or two months of waiting.

~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~