taylor2021

Hello everyone! I've been on the average to thinner side most of my life. However When I was 21 I noticed my weight had really started getting out of hand and I didn't know why as I've always been really good with exercise and maintaining a healthy diet. After going back and fourth to the doctors for months they eventually sent me to an endocrinologist and discovered that my testosterone levels were through the roof , put some of my other symptoms and pieces together and eventually diagnosed me with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Since being diagnosed, I've tried various weight loss programs and even if I succeeded in weight loss its always come back and I feel helpless. Diabetes runs heavily in my family and I'm worried about getting diabetes myself. I've been considering weight loss surgery and wanted to know if my situation is enough for me to have the lap band procedure done. I'm currently 25 weigh 200lbs and am 5'6 giving me a BMI of 31. I've read if you do not have a BMI of at least 40 they will work with you if it is at least 30 but you need to also have some sort of weight threatening disorder.Does anyone out there have a similar story to mine or had the Lap Band procedure done with a BMI under 40? Do you think I'm a good candidate for this procedure given my back round? Thanks so much, Taylor

Hi I am currently EXACTLY in that (bleeding nonstop or not bleeding at all stage in my life lol) its been like this for me about 7 years now. I'm happy to hear that you've made progress and I'm also very happy to see that you're in California just like me! I just turned 25 and I've made the concrete decision to now have the gastric sleeve. If you don't mind me asking, what was your starting stats and where did you get your operation done? Also did you self pay and if you don't mind me asking how much did your operation cost all together. Thank you (:

Hello! I have PCOS just like you and am now in search for a place of operation myself for the sleeve. I also never get my period and don't ovulate. Feeling down, I started doing research and found tons of extremely helpful youtube videos on this very topic. Women like us going through this same exact thing. I've heard the same things over and again, Post Op a lot of the girls become incredibly fertile. I will tell you what one of those girls told me. Don't worry, Your baby is coming (: Congrats on the progress you've made so far thats incredible! I wanted to know an update of how you're doing now Post OP? Are you pregnant yet? how are you feeling? Also, if you don't mind my asking where did you get your operation done? I'm happy to know there are women out there who can relate to where I am in my current state. Thank you for posting this.

Hello everyone! I have yet to find my surgeon and place of operation, I'm starting with a lower BMI at 33 and will be self-paying. I wanted to know if anyone had to self pay in California or Mexico. Please share your journey with me (cost, recovery time, location, overall experience etc..) so hopefully I can start my journey with a little more confidence going in. Thanks!

Hello. I also have PCOS and I don't ovulate therefore I'm hoping wls will help me in that area so i may eventually become pregnant. If you don't mind me asking, what surgery are you getting and where are you getting it done? Thanks!

Thank you for all the info! I'm gonna definitely look into this!

Hi guys (: I'm setting up consultations to inquire about the gastric sleeve and I want to make sure I ask all the right questions and I thought "who better to ask then these guys!" I'll admit, I'm super nervous and a little scared. I kind of feel like I'm just diving in to the deep end and I want to make sure I'm at least semi-prepared. So if theres any questions you wish you would've asked or any questions you're glad you asked please share if you can. Also, if any of you had your WLS done in California and could pass the info of where you got that done and your experience that would be super helpful as well. I appreciate you<3 -Taylor

Mexico! Mexico! Mexico! Howdy everyone! .....Or should I say HOLA So, I'm new to this whole thing, and I'm currently in the process of looking for places to have my desired gastric sleeve performed and people keep mentioning MEXICO to me! One because of the attractive price tag and two some say their surgeons are more advanced in bariatric surgery then we are here in America. I'd like to know what your take on this topic is? If you've had your operation done in Mexico PLEASE! tell me about your experience and PLEASE! don't leave out any of the juicy details. 1. Who was you surgeon? 2. What Facility were you in? City and state 3. What was your recovery like? 4. How many post OP appointments did you have to go back for? 5. Did you feel safe? (out of the country medical procedures can be nerve racking! Not just Mexico) 6. What type of WLS did you go with? 7. and the golden question we ALL want to know..... How much did you fork over? also did insurance cover anything for you? I'm doing a bit of research myself and idk maybe Mexico might end up being an option for me, so I'd really appreciate your guy's input. Bonus question: I've heard AMAZING things about Dr. Ariel Ortiz from the Obesity Control Center do you guys know anything about him or that hospital? Thanks guys!...... or should I say... ADIOS AMIGOS! (i hate myself)

Thank you!

Will do! Thank you so much for your response!

Thanks!

Hi! Thank you so much that's incredibly helpful especially because I'm fairly close to Glendale so that helps a lot when looking into doctors. If you don't mind me asking Who and where did you get your operation done? and how much did you pay if you paid out of pocket? Thanks again I really appreciate it

lol (salutes) Yes Ma'am! Sweet dreams and hope to see you in the forums! (:

It has not. I will definitely have them check it out hopefully that will help my case. Again, you've been great, thank you so much for all of your knowledge and kindness. I hope to get as lucky as you with a great Endo because the lord KNOWS I've had it up to here with the doorknob Docs!

That's amazing. I'm sure they love to help, It sounds like you've done an awesome job as their mother

You guys come from a medical background, thats awesome. Thank you for all of your help, I really appreciate it. My parents insurance is an PPO. My aunt is actually a director of nursing at one of the Kaisers out here and I worked at one of the locations as a med-tech for a couple of years. My aunt is trying to set me up with a good endocrinologist as we speak. Yeah, kaiser can be VERY frustrating so I'm not expecting this to be easy. Before I was diagnosed with PCOS I was desperately trying to find answers and didn't get a proper diagnosis until a couple years after I started complaining to my doctor about what was going on with me. So I know first hand how dismissive they can be but I'm going to try as hard as I can because I REALLY want the WLS. Everyone on here is saying not to dismiss WLS in Mexico but I'd be more comfortable if I got it done at Kaiser as I've always had them as my healthcare provider but again they are very STRICT. I'm not going to give up. Thank you for the encouragement:)

Thank you for your input! I've been hearing a lot of the same thing when it comes to the band, I'm definitely more interested in the sleeve now and believe thats the route ill be taking. How do you like your sleeve? What was your recovery time and how much success have you had? Thank you (:

Hey GolfGal Firstly thank you for sharing your story with me and congrats on your Sleeve surgery coming up! I also have Kaiser and would LOVE to attend that seminar. If you don't mind me asking what state are you in and is Kaiser covering your WLS or did you use an outside source? Also will you be receiving your sleeve in Mexico? I've been getting a lot of good feedback on getting WLS there. Thank you!

Girl you get me. thank you for your response it's like you took the words right out of my mouth. I just keep seeing the weight pack on and its making me miserable. If I can fix it now, I want to. I don't want to wait and then not be able to have kids when I want them because the PCOS is making me infertile. Trust me, I've been doing my research watching tons of women cry tears of joy! because since their WLS thy have been able to cycle and now get pregnant. I'm 25 and I want things to fall in to place without error. I'm going to start going to consultations soon and I'm really nervous I just hope to find a good place that won't make me go bankrupt or give me a botched job lol. I'm hoping to find someone with similar stats to mine who have gotten their WLS in California. I want to stay close to home but I will be exploring ALL options. Thank you for your support and understanding.<3 -Taylor

Thank you so much!

Hello (: Yes, PCOS is incredibly tough! I'm sure your daughter has told you how hard it is, cause it's not easy. I am thinking of my future and its just getting tougher and tougher as I get older so I'm seeking all the options I can. Yes, I live in California and still am under my parents insurance we have Kaiser. I know from looking online, kaiser seems really strict. What I read was in order to be covered for weight loss surgery you need to have a BMI of 35-40 but if you're in the 30's you just need to have a weight threatening problem like sleep apnea or diabetes. I'm hoping because they know about my history and weight gain with PCOS they will cover me even though my BMI is only in the early 30's not to mention diabetes run HEAVY in my family. My mother, a few cousins and aunts have it and my grandmother actually died from diabetic shock. So I'm trying to do what I can. I will definitely keep you guys updated and will watch some of those videos you told me about! thanks for being so supportive. I appreciate your kindness -Taylor

Hey! Oh my gosh thats awesome! I'm in California (: what about yourself?

Thanks Matt you're awesome

That's awesome! I'm glad your recovery is coming along well. That makes me so happy to hear, I'm hoping I can find a good surgeon out here in Los Angeles so lets hope for the best! Good luck on starting your liquid diet! I will be definitely be asking you more questions if I can think of any lol Thanks again!

Wow! you're awesome thank you for this(: Well, it's gonna be an adventure and I'm sure i'll encounter some bumps along the road but all I can do is keep researching and hope for the best. Thank you for all the insight, I really appreciate it