SaraLou

Hello Everyone! I have been researching the sleeve for about a year now. I have PCOS and thanks to that I am infertile Myrtle. Hubby and I have been trying to conceive for 5+ years. I have tried everything to lose weight, but it never really works. My doctor says its because of the PCOS. So she recommended WLS. . Originally I was dead set on going with Dr. Alvarez, because I had watched so many videos and also joined his Facebook page. Now I am seeing that there are so many other surgeons I had no idea about. Like many of you, my insurance does not include WLS of any kind! (Go figure, government insurance sucks!). I have been trying to figure out how in the heck I'm going to pay for this! I have read many great reviews on lots of different doctors. What I want to know is where did you go and how much did you pay? And would you recommend this doctor? All of these posts have been so inspiring, especially since I have been feeling pretty defeated lately. All I have ever wanted to be is a mommy and I'm not ready to give up on my dream!

Has anyone successfully kept your surgery a secret? I only plan on telling a few people. And I do not want my work to know. What can I tell them when I request off?

Hi all! I'm going to be flying into San Diego in October from Kentucky. Where does everyone go to purchase plane tickets? I'm looking for my cheapest option! Thanks!

Hello everyone! Please be patient with me but I have a few questions. I decided a few months ago that I want to have the sleeve surgery. Of course, my insurance won't cover it, so it looks like I'll be going to Mexico. My husband says we'll save up for it, but I've ran the numbers. If I wait until we save enough for the trip it will take a long time. So my first question is how did you pay? I need to know my options. I know it seems like I'm in a hurry, but that's because I am. My pcp and my obgyn have both said my fertility issues are due to my weight. I've tried the diet and exercise route, but I get very little results. I'm told because I have PCOS it makes it difficult to lose weight. All I have ever wanted is to have a big family, and this breaks my heart. I feel like every day I hear the news that another friend of mine is pregnant and I am starting to get bitter, and I hate that! I'm not that type of person. I don't want to wait. I am almost 30. I know that's not old, but to me, I feel like I've already missed out on so much. Thank you all for making me feel accepted. So many people don't understand.

Has anyone had surgery with Dr. Illan? If so, I would greatly appreciate any feedback you have, good or bad! Thank you!

If you don't mind sharing, how much did all of that cost?

There is a whole section on this site titled Self Pay & Mexico. Look there. There are hundreds o people who have to self pay who go to Mexico.

Thank you so much for sharing your story! I have been having trouble deciding on a surgeon but I think I am leaning toward Dr. Garcia especially after reading this! How are you doing now?

Has anyone traveled to Mexico (Tijuana, Cancun, etc.) and had VSG surgery with a partner? I am thinking about asking my hubby to do it with me. We have been talking about me doing it first, them down the road he would. But it just makes sense to kill 2 birds with 1 stone. If so, do you get a group rate or something? LOL I'm sorry I know that sounds horrible, but I hope y'all know what I mean!

I would love to know as well! I still haven't decided where to go. I hear so many great things about all of these surgeons, it's hard to choose! By the way, that's not a bad thing! I know my parents went to Cancun a few years ago on vacation and said it was breathtakingly beautiful. So that's one reason I'm considering it. But I haven't really heard a lot about surgeons there.

Is Medicard only available to Canada residents? I searched it and that's all I can find.

Girl...I just read every entry in your blog. Thank you! Your writing is so inspiring! I do have some questions for you. #1 How much $$ in total did your surgery cost you? #2 how did you get over the fear? I'm not scared of surgery in Mexico. I'm scared of surgery anywhere! I had emergency gallbladder removal a couple of years ago and I was so scared that my BP and heart rate went through the roof. They had to give me a triple dose of Valium and I was still freaking out. Then a few months ago I had a DNC and the same thing happened. I am so scared of not waking up. Did you have any of these feelings?

I wish! I still can't decide which surgeon to go with! I wanna go to Mexico, I just can't decide where exactly. Any opinions/insight is welcome!

I admit that was one reason I put it off for so long. I am scared to death to have nightmares and that's what I assumed when they say crazy dreams. I was wrong. Yes I did have crazy dreams, but they were just that...crazy! Everything was vivid and weird and mostly funny! I actually enjoyed them. lol.

I know how you feel! I haven't smoked for that long, only 7 years, but my hubby has been begging me to quit for years. Finally we made a deal. He wouldn't work as much of I quit smoking. (He is an absolute workaholic). I started chantix on Feb 1 2013 and Feb 8 I smoked my last cig. I'm not gonna lie, I miss it. I actually love smoking. BUT here is the good part. I feel SO much better. Yes I am still overweight and I thought all of my low energy levels were contributed to that, but I have so much more energy since I quit. Not to mention I sleep better, smell better, and hubby is happy:). You can do it. I am by no means preaching. Just wanna let you know you have support here! If you need to talk, I'm here. I honestly think you will be happy once you quit. If not, you can always go back to smoking. Good luck!!

They sell skin brighteners at drug stores. My mom has something that is to brighten skin from sun damage and age spots. She got it at sephora I think. Maybe try there or Clinique? Or you could go with Michael Jackson's method of skin bleaching. I know this may be tmi but people get their anus bleached. Maybe talk to a salon. ??

Thank you!

First of all Congrats! I know how it feels to want a baby so bad! That's the main reason I'm wanting this surgery. But back to you...I have read MANY stories where sleeve patients have had happy healthy pregnancies/babies! The main thing is to keep up with your vitamins, especially pre-natal. I would talk to a nutritionist or maybe even your pcp to see what you need to be doing/eating. But you are definitely not alone! I would google or YouTube search pregnancy after VSG and see what you find! Congrats again!