Hetera

55 year old female.  On/off/on member of Weight Watchers since 1973, and managed to diet my way up to 280 lbs.
 
Considered WLS for years, but chickened out.  Really thought I'd be able to do it myself the old-fashioned way.. really "EARN" it through hard work and self-denial.  Well, it wasn't happening. As my weight crept up from 250 to 280, I was eating more and more out of stress and anxiety over whether or not to have WLS!!! 
 
Anyway, my 55 birthday was looming, and I knew if I wanted to lose weight, I'd have to do this thing. I knew I had have to go to to Mexico, pay for it myself as my health insurance through work didn't cover any bariatrics.  I did a lot of research, watched a lot of YouTube videos, read reviews, talked to people at A Lighter Me, the other "brokerage," and Obesity Control Center, which was owned and operated and administered by Dr. Ortiz.  He had a great reputation, and high visibility in the States, and no-leaks, and he spoke English very well.  He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and he and his staff had done the work to be confirmed as a Center of Excellence (with other hospital like Princeton). AND OCC was in Tijuana, an hour from my aunt and best friend in San Diego (I'm in NYC).
 
So I scheduled the appointment in early April 2015, bought their supplementation and started my pre-op diet three weeks prior to surgery.  I lost 13 lbs on the pre-op diet.  I had VSG surgery on April 30, 2015.  They doctor also repaired my hiatal hernia (which recovery from hurt more than the VSG).
 
At this writing, I am 10 weeks out from surgery and have lost 27 lbs thus far.  40 lbs including the weight lost on the pre-op diet.
 
I struggle with eating too fast.  Head hunger is an issue, but not as bad as I feared it would be.  I feel SO MUCH BETTER PHYSICALLY!  Knees, back, and feet hurt much less.  Very pleased.  My goal weight is 175 lbs.