sickofrollercoaster

Thanks to all for your responses! Really helps calm my fears! I am an Engineer and have never liked medical "things" so I need to just not focus on that part of it.... I have read so much about this surgeon and talked with a few patients that are so satisfied, I am confident in my choice. Citygal, congrats!!! Keep me posted on your progress! My surgery is May 10th!

Tiff, you are too funny! I respect your candidness... I am considered a "lightweight" and where I work now, they have not seen me at my heaviest (245 and 5' tall). I am now about 170 but people i work with have seen me at 130 about a year ago, this was after busting my tail and following exactly the right diet... Yes, recipe for disaster when you throw in stressful job, three kids and a husband. Now I walk around the office and I feel the stares from others, YES I HAVE GAINED WEIGHT! I am still 75 pounds lighter than my heaviest BUT I am headed back up there! My Mom had WLS 16 years ago, she has been there and done that! I called her crying last week, I tried to be the "HERO", losing the weight and keeping it off on my own. It just is not healthy to lose and gain and lose and gain... So I am scheduled for sugery on May 10th! Can't wait! Put in for leave and I am scared of them asking me what for... Then after I return to work and the weight starts dropping off, they are gonna think I am sick!

I just scheduled my surgery for May 10th with Dr. Aceves!!! Now I am trying to get flights booked, etc. Good advice on the sodas, that is one thing that KEEPS me from eating throughout the day is diet soda but I know I need to give it up. Nina sent me a message this morning about the deposit. I know I am just supposed to send it the mail. I asked if I needed to wait to book flights until I hear that they have gotten it so that I know for sure I have the date but she said to go ahead and book the flight. This makes me nervous, what if they get someone else booked in my place before receiving my check? Anyone else have this experience? Thanks!

How much did your procedure cost with this doctor?

I am seriously considering the sleeve. I am 35 yo, 5' tall and weigh about 170 right now. My heaviest was 244 in 2003. It has taken me years to lose the weight and actually got done lower last year to 130 but that is with a VERY strict diet and exercise regimen. I am a single mom with three small children and my profession is very stresssful. I just can't take the massive weight gain/loss constantly. My mom had gastric segmentation 16 years ago and it has been a blessing for her. Our family is obese, no way around it. I have BCBS Federal and understand after calling that they do cover this procedure. I know with a low BMI (ha low, meaning I am obese, not considered morbidly obese) my chances of approval may not be good. I also have asthma, joint pain, horrible knees, and added stress because I can't seem to lose weight anymore. Also, I used to be 5'2", I have scoliosis and am afraid the weightdoes affect that, I have back pain when standing alot. I don't know where to start, how do I find a dr? Anyone have any advice or words of wisdom in my situation?

Thanks again for everyone's responses. I have looked quite a bit on obesityhelp.com and see that my insurance is one of the best for approving WLS. Looks like I may just have a battle with my low BMI of 33 but I have some co-morbidities they mention. Also, I have been under the supervision of a licensed nurse practioner for almost 2 years in terms of losing weight so I would hope that would help. I am having a hard time finding a surgeon near me that does the sleeve.

STCYT, Thanks so much for your response! That does help make me feel like I am not alone. I have been proud during the times I was able to lose the weight but it is just not maintainable with all of the stresses in life. If I were single, no kids and had a stress free job, MAYBE but who knows! Can you tell me more about how you found your surgeon, etc? The other thing that will hurt me as private pay is that I filed BK over 4 years ago so I am still having trouble getting financing. I make really good money and have very low debt now but the BK still haunts me... Thanks for any help you may offer!

Did either of you go to Mexico for your surgery? Have read ALOT about surgeons in Mexico from this forum.

Wow thank you SO much! I will take time to look at all of the info, this is great! Can I ask where everyone had their surgery? I can't find any doctors in my area that have extensive experience in the sleeve.

Well just talked to my mom about the sleeve and she is very concerned. She had segmentation and had great success, she was very shocked to hear that they actual remove a part of your stomach for this procedure. I just have not done enough research to calm her concerns.