KatInFL

I did (or at least started) the 6 month rounds. I was diagnosed at 20 w/ Stage IV endo. I've had 5 laprascopic procedures for it. One was done specifically to get pregnant. I had surgery to remove the endometriosis and was lucky enough to get pregnant, with no additional intervention, within a month. I know some people are able to experience a remission of sorts post-childbirth, but that hasn't been my experience. My RE swears that the latest surgery he did is the newest, best technique and it likely won't grow back. It was widespread throughout my abdomen, including on my bowels. I will believe it won't come back when I see it, but I typically do get pain relief for a couple of years after surgery to kind of clean things up, for lack of a better term. If your RE or GYN is on board with the VSG at the same time as the Lupron, I would think it's decent timing. My first thought, off the top of my head, is be prepared for hair loss. The Lupron can cause it, VSG can cause it, and together I think you'd be pretty sure to see that as a side effect. As for post-VSG pregnancy, I know there's a specific forum on that. I think Cheri has some good experience on it, as well. Not that I'm volunteering her for questions, just saying I know that she's one of the many that has done it successfully post-op. Good luck to you! I hope you get some relief from the endo. It can be miserable in itself, not to mention the emotional part of the side effects. ~Kat

I will ditto what Cheri said with the Mirena. It's been the best treatment for endometriosis symptoms that I've found. My Reproductive Endocrinologist said he also likes the latest version of the IUD without hormones, though I haven't personally tried it. I had a Mirena placed after the birth of my son about 10 years ago and loved it. I only had it removed, at the convincing of my ex, because he wanted to try for another baby. I had a 2nd Mirena placed almost 3 years ago, after an ectopic pregnancy. That one was removed about a year or so later, during the latest surgery done by my RE the endometriosis and for an inguinal hernia repair. In kind of an interesting twist, that surgery is what ultimately led me to the sleeve. The surgeon who did my hernia repair (my RE doesn't do the hernia repair) typically does bariatric surgery and suggested it as an option for me. I had never heard of the sleeve until she suggested it. With the Mirena, it's a very low dose of hormones and an extremely common side effect that periods are suppressed. ~Kat

I tipped my driver $5 each way. I left the housekeeper hotel staff what I estimated as about 20% of the total cost of my room. I paid for an extra night, so just based my calculations using the room rate I paid for that night. I tipped the doorman at the hotel, who helped with baggage when I arrived and when I left, a couple of dollars each time. I didn't really have occasion to tip much, otherwise. ~Kat

You will find the gamut of prices, but most range from $4,000 to $8,500. I wasn't able to find a single one in my research (I looked for just under a year until I booked) that included airfare. It would be tough to price competitively and still make money, I'd imagine, given the fluxuation in airfares from varying locations. I went with Dr. Illan (whom I adore and couldn't have been happier with) and paid around $4700 including airfare and incidentals. Oh, and I opted to stay an extra night in Tijuana because it made my airfare around $175 less...so I paid for the extra night at the hotel out of pocket to save overall. I can't remember which surgeon off the top of my head, but if I recall correctly, there is only one surgeon that does a sort of in-house financing with 50% of the cost upfront and then monthly payments. You might have better luck if you use the search option for the forums in finding a surgeon that offers in-house financing. There are a lot of different financing options, if your credit meets particular lending criteria. If you don't have decent credit (and I'm not saying you do, just stating since it's a VERY common question around here), you will have a tougher time finding financing. There are a couple of dubious (at best) companies out there that will lend for outrageous interest rates, given you pay something like 65% up front. This is a great place to start researching surgeons! What works for everyone is different. What you are looking for vs what someone else is/was looking for may be different, so it might be easier for you to look around a bit, maybe gather some questions about how different surgeons/hospitals/packages/coordinators/whatever then come back and ask those questions. When I started researching, a made a list of things that were important to me in descending order, then made a spreadsheet of surgeons and narrowed it down to a few that met my needs. From there, I asked questions, contacted surgeons, etc. and it made the process feel much less overwhelming. ~Kat

Good luck!! ~Kat

I'm 3 months out, have lost about half of my total excess body weight, and have had no complications or issues. I'd do it again in a heartbeat! ~Kat

I, too, have endometriosis and did a round of Lupron therapy several years ago. I wouldn't think anything about it would really impact VSG. I will say I had a terrible time with side effects and, personally, wouldn't do it again in a million years. I think it's one of those things people either love or hate. If you can muddle through it, it can help your symptoms. I couldn't live with the side effects and had an allergic reaction to some component of the injection, so it wasn't for me. ~Kat

Love, love, loved my surgeon, Dr. Illan. ~Kat

Yep, online only. Honestly, I ordered the samples from unjury (and several others) pre-op so I'd have them post-op. I don't remember any of them taking particularly long to arrive. Unjury actually sent me a really nice little package with my samples, a kitchen thermometer, and a bottle to drink out of. I was impressed with that. A lot of people swear by the chicken soup....and the samples still sit in a box in my cupboard. Their unflavored Protein, though, was a hit for me! ~Kat

I'm with Susan. If any changes were made, after the time of booking, then I feel like whomever booked the surgery-regardless of the reason- is responsible for informing the patient ASAP. I probably would have *freaked* had I arrived to find I was to be at a different hospital and hotel. It's the principle, for me. And if there's a cost difference they didn't tell you about in advance? Absolutely they should be responsible for it.

I think it's highly dependent on your surgeon and/or coordinator. I am a details girl, so I was on top of every last detail. I would say trust your instincts. If your instincts say you're being overly sensitive, then acknowledge that and move on. If your instincts are saying you need more details/information/follow up then you are receiving, then acknowledge that and figure out what you need to do next. ~Kat

I imagine that's a bit of a shock to your system! There isn't a whole lot in common from Gainesville to Jacksonville. I have lived in Jax for years and have lived on almost every side of town. I currently live on the Northside, near the Dames Point. I moved about 3 months ago from the Intercoastal West area, near UNF...and it's been a little bit of a shock. I imagine it's less of a shock than moving to Gainesville, though. Did you move with work or a partner or it was just what you needed to do? ~Kat

I wish there was a right answer. Unfortunately, I don't think that's the case. I can't say what I'd do if I were in your shoes. My insurance doesn't cover WLS, at all, under any circumstance. Right now, I look at that as kind of lucky...simply because I didn't have to jump through any hoops to get to surgery. Would I have self-paid if my insurance covered it? Probably not. Simply because I'd have *rather had surgery near home, if it had been an option. Also, the cash is a consideration...it took me around a year to be able to manage the trip for surgery. But I also would have had an entirely different experience. I don't know if it would have been better or worse or what, but it would have been different. I hope you are able to work out which decision is best for you. If you decide Mexico is it, there is certainly a ton of information to be found here! Don't be afraid to ask questions. ~Kat

The cafeteria is not at all what you'd imagine in comparison to a US hospital cafeteria. It's run by a particular segment of the hospital, so it's all vegan. My support person didn't eat there not because of the food but because the hours were really specific and not convenient for when she was hungry. Depending on how adventurous they are (the area is perfectly safe and I'd have done it), they could walk a couple of blocks to grab something easy. Or, if you have a coordinator, they might be able to help out in picking up food. ~Kat

I'm right up the road in Jacksonville. ~Kat

I think if you have young kids, you should have a will regardless. If you are married, it's less of a concern because everything will be handled your spouse by default (in most states) but if you are a single parent then you should absolutely have a will. If you got hit by a bus tomorrow, your loved ones need the information to carry out your wishes...not only financially but wil regards to placement of your kids, what kind of long term medical intervention you want done, etc. As for being scared of dying...it totally wasn't on my radar until I was being wheeled into the OR. It was then that it hit me like a ton of bricks and I started to cry. I think it's not uncommon. Or else my surgeon was very kind and lied when he told me a lot of people worry about it. ~Kat

I couldn't say for certain, but why don't you give Dr. Illan a try? I loved him as my surgeon and he tends to be a little closer to the lower end, as far as cost. I think he also actively practices as a general surgeon, too, so he may be more comfortable with your particular condition. His website is bajabariatrics.com. Also, I think mysurgeryoptions is partnering with him (it's a company owned by the owner of the forum/website and staff includes at least one person who is an admin for the forums) if you want to go through an actual coordinating company. ~Kat

Um, I'm sorry I missed this....but you won't regret it! I posted my experience right after I had surgery if you feel up to looking for it. I love, love, love Dr. Illan. His coordinator, Omar, is amazing and still checks in with me pretty regularly. Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions. I felt like I had amazing care, at all stages. ~Kat

Also, I don't know where you'd be traveling from, but I do know Southwest is currently having a decent fare sale. It's ending on 6/28/13 and is good for travel from Aug 26-Dec 18 with black-out dates for Thanksgiving. ~Kat

I think what's tough changes, depending on the stage you're in. I'm sure when I get to maintenance, I'll agree with Cheri! I think what's been the biggest adjustment for me, as of this moment, is how consumed my world is by food and nutrition. I'm certain my boyfriend is sick to death of me hearing how many grams of Protein I've had today, what Snacks I've found that work, logging into MyFitnessPal to enter food everywhere and anywhere...restaurants, lying in bed, at social functions. I know I've had disordered eating. I've known it for years...I had a therapist first call it compulsive overeating when I was 17. I had a lot of varying trauma growing up and some of it involved food or the lack of it, so I developed a crazy relationship with it. I don't know that the sleeve has made that relationship any healthier, per se, I think it just fulfills that relationship in a different way. I get to exert control in that relationship by controlling what I eat, when I eat, logging, and the other details that come post-op. I'm not obsessed, but I'm a planner and all about logisitcs just naturally, so that tends to spill over. I also spent a LOT of years and money in therapy, through most of my late teens and twenties. I felt like I'd done the work to have a better relationship with food but just needed a better tool. As cliche as it might seem because it's said so often, I really do feel like this has been a tool. I still actively choose, at every meal and every day, to eat what is better for me vs what I want. Tonight, I made chicken breast, macaroni and cheese, and corn for dinner. I could have chosen to eat the mac and cheese until I was full...but I didn't, knowing that my body needs the protein and it's a better choice. That doesn't mean I'm perfect because I'm certainly not. It's just to say we all actively choose how we are going to work the tool, every day. It's so common for WLS patients to slip and slide, post-op. I think there's an element of being realistic that has to be involved. To avoid that slipping, especially so early post-op for me, it works to let me world be consumed by food and nutrition. I don't know what it will look like next week or month or in 6 months, but it works today, even if it's been a big adjustment. ~Kat

Dr Illan. I flew from Orlando into San Diego and paid around $250 for airline tickets. ~Kat

It really depends on the doctor. I paid $4,000 and Dr Illan was my surgeon. ~Kat

I went with Dr. Illan in Tijuana. I paid $4000 for surgery, plus another $700 in airfare and incidentals. I would SO recommend Dr. Illan. Also, I think mysurgeryoptions.com, which is owned by the owner of this and other WLS forums, is running a special right now and they partner with Dr. Illan. I don't know all of the information, but you can contact Susan (one of the board admins) or go to the website for more information. You can also find more information about Dr. Illan on his personal website, bajabariatrics.com. I'm currently trying to convince my sister to go to Dr. Illan. We have both been diagnosed with PCOS and have had years of history with being unable to lose weight. We both had fertility issues and while we both were lucky enough to conceive (I had help, she had a happy surprise), neither of us love having lived with years of side effects related to PCOS. I'm 3 months post-op and have lost 50 lbs, going from a 40 BMI to a 34BMI. I couldn't be happier! ~Kat

I agree with Amanda...trust your instincts on this. If you aren't happy with the pre-op communication of your coordinator, I think it's indicative of what you can expect post-op. If your instincts tell you that your need aren't being met, don't ignore that. ~Kat

Um, I had my surgery done by Dr. Illan and there was nothing unusual about my pre-op diet. ~Kat