funnigrl

I'm on my way to Mexico! I don't know why but so far I've really not been too freaked out about going and having the surgery. It may all hit me once I arrive there, I don't know. Really I think the reason I'm okay with it all is because of this forum and the support that I've found in many of you here. I'm so very thankful for Vertical Sleeve Talk. Keep me in your prayers! Once there I'm sure I'll be using my lap top to check in with you all! Beth

Hi everyone, my name is Beth and I'm 44 years old, married for 26 years and we have two children, a boy 15 and a girl 12. We live in a small town in S.E. Missouri. Most of my obese history is the same as many others here I'm sure. I really wasn't over weight until about puberty and as I started to become "chubby" there were many in my family to remind me of it, mostly my two step brothers who were older and verbally abusive to me and my younger biological brother. The more I was teased about it the more I ate and I'm sure others may find that what I'm saying isn't an excuse for being over weight and I'm not saying it is, but it was a contributing factor in the beginning of my slow but lethal path to death that I've been on for so many years. Now having that out of the way, it's on to the good news! As time went on I gained and loss and gained, trying all the weight loss, quick fix diet plans and the like, to the point that I had become a very round person with medical issues, the first one being high blood pressure at the age of 28 years old, then on to having Fluid retention, severe edema of the legs and feet. I'm not sure about the female issues and obesity but I do know that I wasn't able to carry a baby full term and had at least 3 miscarriages and one of those being at the age of 39!, this ended me up in emergency surgery for ectopic pregnancy. ( My hubby and I adopted our two children ) The years went by. I started having heart palpitations and my blood pressure med wasn't keeping it regulated and at times it would go very low, others very high. A lot of different med changes and tests...doctors love to have you get all these tests ya know...So after about two years and two cardiac caths later, I switched to a different doctor who decided to do some lab work, and added an A1c...this isn't one that any of the other docs had ever thought about doing (rolls eyes). Needless to say it wasn't in a good range and I was started on diabetic meds and later I was placed on insulin. This is when I really started looking into weight loss surgery. I was sure I wanted the lap band, it sounded so simple so easy and the less expensive route for me since I didn't have health insurance and I knew/know I couldn't afford the premiums that someone with diabetes would have to pay. So I started looking into having it done and went to a seminar and as I watched the explanation of each type of surgery the surgeon talked about I pondered it all and with the information from all the forums around, realized that the lap band was not for me. It just wouldn't be affordable and I hate having to constantly be worrying about things and I felt that was what I'd be doing with the band, plus I hated the idea of a foreign object being inside me. The VSG made better sense for me and I investigated and learned all that could about it, called the places that offered this surgery near me and was crushed....there was no way I could afford to have this surgery that could cost any where from 18,000 to 30,000. Another two months went by and I kept reading posts of others and I especially was involved with the groups on youtube for weightloss surgery. Then....I started seeing people that had gone to Mexico!?!? I was very skeptical and questioned everyone that I could find that had gone to Mexico and I looked at all those people's surgeons, sooooo, here I am today as a post op VSG patient of Dr. Aceves, where I had surgery on July 14th 2009. My experience in Mexicali, having Dr A as my surgeon was surreal really, even though I kept reading all the good stuff about others experience I was still not convinced. After all I am from the "show me" state. So I went, I saw and now I believe! I'll be two weeks post op this tuesday, July 28th and I have no idea about how much I've lost so far because I made a promise to myselt not to weight untill I'm two weeks post op. *lol* So we will have to wait untill then to find out. I've done very well as far as following all the post op rules with the exception of not resting as a person that's had surgery should but then I've read that many after surgery have the same type of insomina so I'm hoping that improves soon. The post op diet, clears to liquids is going pretty good and while I work at getting all of the Water in and the Protein that we are suppose to have for the day...all and all I'm doing pretty good I think. If anyone wants to ask me any questions about my story or about going to Mexico for sugery, please ask away. I really do plan on making a list of things that I felt were important about my trip, such as being prepared to buy any medications that you might be prescribed while there post op wise, and even those you are already taking, especially if you're med expenses are all out of pocket like mine are. Stats. Hw 319lbs, SW 309, CW? oh yeah, I'm 5'2'', so basically at this point in time I can roll faster than I walk. Not for long!! OMG I didn't intend for this to be this long! Alright, I'll stop. Any questions or comments, send them on! Beth

Hi Linda, thank you for the welcome! I know its like that sometimes when there isn't a soul in there, but I think it's just timing. I come online kinda late, around 11pm cst. I can usually catch OregonDaisy in there about that time, I forget what time zone she's in. Beth

Yep, I like to chat....come on in and join us Amanda, and everyone that wants. I'm central time and come in after I get everyone else in bed, then its momma's time *lol* In chat we don't have to talk only about the surgery, we talk about everything! Oregon Daisy comes in and a few others pop in and out. Come on by! Beth

I know it took me a long while but I finally did it. I have really enjoyed getting to know you too Oregondaisy and I try to check in the chat room every night to see if you're here! See you soon, I'm sure.

Hi everyone, I'm scheduled at long last to have my VSG surgery with Dr Aceves on July 14th!! woohoo!! I'm excited and scared, just like I'm suppose to be I suppose *lol* Looking forward to getting to know more of you for both support and for support as my journey continues. If there are others going to Mexicali around this time give me a holler please! I'm hoping to run into a couple of others from this forum. Best wishes to all, pre and post ops! Beth

Thank you all for your replies! I'm coming to know some of you more and I'm so happy to be part of this forum. Ash, I guess that means we're going to be sleeve sistas now....I'm normally the shortest woman in the room *lol* 5' 2'' Scoot over for me everyone!:001_smile:

:biggrin2:Pre-op and I have a date with Dr. Aceves for the Verticle Sleeve and I'm wondering about what airline others used, that flew from the U.S. to San Diego. I've only flown a couple of times and it's been years ago and I have no clue where to really start *lol* I live near St. louis so that's where I'll be departing from. Any information will be appreciated!! I'm soooooo excited and nervous! ps this thread may be in the wrong place, just starting to try to figure out this site and everything so please be patient with me. Thanks everyone Beth

:biggrin0: Peacock poops! This sounds serious! Should I try to be near the bathroom? Someone suggested to me that the best seat is near the wings as there are people always up to go to the toilet. I hope to get on the plane early because I'm going to pull the " I just had stomach surgery " card, and get an early boarding privilege. *hopes* St. Louis Airport to San Diego is a 3hr 39 min flight nonstop as is the return, this is with AA. I booked with them because of the non stop thing. Hoping I won't get those poops! Thanks for the warning! Beth

My surgery date is for July 14th. So far my best bet is looking like AA. I'm going to look a little more today and then I really need to book it because the prices go higher as the day gets closer. I've seen cheaper but they have stops and I really want non-stop. Beth

Thank you all so much for all your advice on the airline thing...I've been looking and so far for the dates that I'm needing and with my wanting the flight both ways to be non-stop, that limits my choice to AA. A little more costly but not having to stop especially on the way home after surgery I figure hubby can spring for it *lol* I am so thankful for this forum and for all of the great people here. I'm learning so much and I have so much to learn and I know right here is where it can be found. Thanks again everyone! Beth:biggrin0:

I have an allergy to tape adhesives and when I have had to get that junk off I've used mineral oil, the same kind that can be used as a laxative or in oil lamps *lol* It works as good as wd40 does *laffin* I'm sure the mineral oil is safer for use on the surgery areas though. Beth

Hey! I'll be there on the 13th for pre-op test stuff, then surgery on the 14th! :lol0: woohoo...I hope to see you there and hope to keep up with your progress on this new life choice we're about to embark on. Beth p.s. if you have yahoo messenger let me know and I'll add you as a contact