I just thought I'd share my experience and field any questions from my recent experience. I live in Virginia and was self pay. I searched for doctors with good reviews on the east coast since my area is way too expensive. I flew down to Tampa and met Dr Aguilla on May 7th and liked all I heard and saw. I started the preop liquid diet on May 11th and lost 20 pounds before my surgery on May 30th and I did have a few cheats. Things happened so quickly that I wasn't 100% ready to deal with all of my bad relationships with food but I still did well on the preop.
This was my first surgery of any kind and they made it as painless and uncomplicated as possible. Everyone I encountered was professional and helpful with my many many questions as the process went along. Other than a dizzy spell I had the night of the surgery, it's been great so far. I flew back to VA yesterday and am now adjusting to things and enjoying my new lease on life. I don't know what more to add so please feel free to ask me anything while the experience is still fresh in my mind.