ringo4

DerbyMama, for sure I will tell you all about it! I'm trying not to be too nervous about the whole thing honestly. Lol. Wish I could find someone else who is going at that time!!

I'm going to OCC and Dr. Ortiz November 1st. Looking for someone else going at the same time.... ? I'm going alone.

I'm booked for Ortiz November 1st. Anyone else?

I'm scheduled for Nov 1st with Ortiz at the OCC. I sent away for my passport today - hopefully it gets here in time. Now I'm trying to figure out flight info and money.... Does anyone have any advice on flights home? There's a cheaper on that's got a 4 hour layover on the way back.... I think that might suck. Or it might be good to walk? Thoughts??

My BMI is only 33. Only. Pfft. I've been 50-60 lbs overweight my entire life. Am I smaller than a lot of people? Sure. Do I still suffer from living the life of a fat girl? Absolutely. You will succeed. Let me rephrase this. WE will succeed. It won't be the easiest but it will happen. Bc we both, all of us, deserve to feel good in life. And that's what it's all about. Well that and I'd like to stop wearing a t-shirt at the pool.

Do they not provide the compression stockings? I should definitely buy a pair??

I'm trying to decide between those two myself... I'm leaning towards OCC. have you scheduled a date yet?

I'm debating OCC. how far out did you have to schedule? I'm wondering how soon from deciding I want to do it till booking the actual trip. I could possibly be there the same time as you. I just need to get work stuff in order & get a passport.

AmyinOrlando, thanks for your post! How do I arrange for wheelchair service at the airport? Also, how was Dr. Alvarez?

You went to Dr. Heider! I was thinking about going to him - and honestly the one thing that made me thrown off was that I'd need to be alone. Is it ok if I message you to ask you more about going to him? He was one of my final picks for a doctor...

MakeMyOwnLuck is so right - it's such a personal decision. I love the higher BMI people who are quick to say 'well you don't have enough to lose' or 'why don't you use that money to get a personal trainer or a gym membership' (this was on a different message board). My BMI is 32 and it's been higher and it's been lower and I'm definitely getting this surgery done. I understand how someone with 100+ lbs to lose could see it as a drastic choice, but I guarantee that every single person with a sleeve - if they had to get their old stomach back once they got to BMI 30-33, they'd all get fat again. It's a process.... and I'm not willing to wait until I'm really really miserable or have a ton of health issues to get it done. If anything, I think we are making the smarter choice here. From what I've read, surgery on low BMI patients is easier, less complicated and successful. So I say why not? The biggest frustration comes from trying to pay for it and trying to get other people to understand.

I see this is an old thread but I'm a low BMI (33) and I'm looking for advice on self-pay... Mexico and the US. Can anyone direct me to where I need to go? Or share their story?