Tina293

There is a thread in the cosmetic and reconstrutive surgery section called "compression garments" that says that wearing a compression garment from the beginning can help prevent loose skin. You may want to check it out.

This is very interesting. I wonder if this thread might be better in the post-op section.

I woke up this morning thinking "Am I out of my mind? Just suck it up and put in the effort you need to to lose the weight." Then my realistic brain kicked in and said I'm 41 years old 5'3 and 275lbs. I have been overweight since I was a child over 200 lbs for more than 15 years. I have tried to lose weight but I never last more than a month. In the last 2-3 years I have been so discouraged I haven't even really tried. If I could lose weight on my own I would have done it by now. At least thats what I keep telling myself. When I diet I am hungry all the time. Portion size is a huge issue for me. Those little 300 calorie microwave dinners are a joke. I need at least three to fill me up. I really think that VSG would give me the tool I need to be able to lose the weight. But then again that little voice inside me head is once again telling me that VSG is taking the easy way out (although I know it really isn't) and that I should just do the hard work and starve myself to lose weight. How do I know I'm making the right decision to have VSG? Tina

Hay Sadie, How are you getting on with your recovery? Did you get a chance to ask about complications with Dr. Kelly?

Thanks Mick, I know I can't control it but what I need to know is can I afford it. On the off chance that I have complications and have to spend a few more days in hospital or have more surgery, I need to know I won't have to pay 1000s more. I can barely afford the surgery as it is.

Thanks Brazcan. When I get a little further in my planning I certainly will be calling Dr. Kelly with some questions.

I am from Canada and although I have wanted WLS for years I never really thought it would happen since it isn't offered in my Province and I was not able to self pay. Well things are changing!! 1. I recently discovered I may be coming into some unexpected money. Not a lot but enough for the VSG in Mexico 2. They are finally about to start offering WLS here in my home Province!!! The Dr. has already started seeing patients for consults. No absolute date has been set for surgery to start but it should be in the next few weeks. My referral for a consult went in last week. I hope to get the consult at least within the next couple of months. So my options are these. Wait to get the surgery done here by a surgeon who is experienced in laprascopic surgery but does not have a lot of experience in WLS. This may take a few months or a couple of years. Or I can self pay to have the procedure done in MEXICO. I have done a lot of research and Dr. Ramos Kelly in Mexico is the surgeon i have chosen. I should mention that I was diagnosed with Impaired Glucose Tolerance about a year ago. Bacially my body is sensitive to slight fluctuations in my blood sugar so small that most people would not even notice them. If my sugar goes up even sightly I begin to feel tired and can't concentrate. If it goes up a little I could drop right to sleep even at work. If it drops a little low I feel shaky and can't concentrate then either. My work is pretty detailed and requires good concentration. I know my work is not what it should be and I am afraid for my job. Management is aware of my condition but since this has been going on for a year, I don't know how much longer they will tolerate my poor performance. Now that the this idea of getting WLS had become a reality I am ABLSOLUTELY TERRIFIED. Almost enough to stop me. My husband is really afraid of complications but I keep telling him the risk to my health is bigger by not having WLS. (I am 41 years old 5'3" and 275 lbs, BMI about 49). I know this is something I really need to do but I need some encouragement from those who have gone through it. Should I go to MEXICO with Dr. Kelly and his experience or should I wait to get it done at home?

Thanks for your reply jasaz. They will be doing the sleeve here but the question with getting it done here at home is how much risk of complications is there with a surgeon inexperienced in WLS and also I do not yet know how long I will have to wait, it may be up to a year or more and I want this done in the next six months.

Thanks Sadie. I would really appreciate that.

Thanks for your reply NtvTxn. I know its the right thing for me, its just so scary. How much did you pay in Texas?

So sorry to hear of your troubles lowkee. I'm just wondering what surgeon you went to for your VSG

If you had your surgery here (they are the ones advertising the "Fall Special" on this site please let me know your experience. I want my surgery to cost as little as possible but I'm not willing to sacrfice safety or my health to save a few bucks.

Is there a website for Dr. Kelly or his hospital. I'm also curious as to how much you paid.

Hi, I'm new to the site but I am thinking about going with Dr. Almanza. I would be interested in any information you have and would be very interested to read about your surgery experience