srwright66

Long time lurker, 1st time poster. WooHoo! I am getting my sleeve 3/7/11 with Dr. Ramos Kelly in Tijuana. Work approved days off. Flight paid for, deposit sent, just need to reserve hotel for the night before. I recently stepped on the scales and was horrified. I had gained over 100# in a little over a year. Right now I am at 260. I was so upset. I am a stress eater and the stress has been beyond belief. I usually average between 150-175, I am 5'8 and it was so hard to keep it at that. I have been wanting WLS for a long time. Actually I wanted the band but decided it wasn't for me. I knew I wouldn't go to the follow up appointments. All the fills and adjustments. I also watched two cousins that had it done, one did ok, the other gained weight. The VGS was the answer. I have watched so many of you and your success has been my inspiration. Thank you.

I've started using fitday.com. I used it years ago. I'll check out the ones you are using too.

Maybe my story can help someone else too.

Justdance, I'm not here to get on anyone's bad side and my statement wasn't meant to upset anyone. It does disturb me when I have read those types of topics. I feel for the people that don't have support or have negativity in their life. I breaks my heart for them. I want everyone to have support and have a positive experience. Maybe I should have clarified that.

Thank you. I feel like with a combination of the sleeve and various other tools I will make it.

I'm 44 and scheduled for March, I too wish I could have done it years ago.

Excited for you. Can't wait for an update. I am scheduled with Dr Kelly in March.

Go back and read my post. I gave an honest account of my experience and the disadvantages in a "what if" scenario. Let me put this in a different perspective. You can look at this how you want. I don't go running up and down the streets announcing that I am having surgery. To answer your question. If someone I was speaking with told me they were having symptoms/problems with gallbladder, female issues, or otherwise I would have no problem discussing with them what I had done surgically. Maybe it will put their mind at ease or I can answer a question if they have it. Here's an example. Let's say you lose 100 pounds and you are asked how you lost the weight. What do you say? If you don't tell them you had surgery and they find out you did. How do you look to that person? I would rather people know than assume I was on drugs or was ill. Having gall bladder surgery, tubal, etc doesn't show on the outside. Losing 100 pounds does, and it is bound to raise questions. Answer this for me please. You stated it isn't about shame, it's about self respect. Because I have told people, I have no self respect? No, I don't think so. We just have different ways of handling things. I never said you should be ashamed. I said I wasn't ashamed. I haven't been big all my life either. I could care less what people say behind my back. I hope they say something about me having plastic surgery. In a heartbeat I will tell them 'yes and my boobies will look better than your boobies" LOL!

Go back and read my post. I did not judge anybody. The original poster asked for our experiences. I told how I handled it. My experiences were positive. They asked for advantage/disadvantages. I expressed what the disadvanage could be if someone didn't tell and people found out. I didn't tell them what they should do either way. It is their decision.

So sorry your husband is not supporting you.

Sheila, You are doing great. By the way, my name is Sheila too.

I'm scheduled for March 7th with Dr. Ramos Kelly in Tijuana.

I'm scheduled with Dr. Kelly but my date is March 7th.

People may not agree with me but here's my two cents. It disturbs me to see people that want to keep this a secret. I try to skip over those posts. I have been very open about having this done. I was embarrassed at first and ashamed that I let myself get this way. I wasn't sure what their reactions were going to be. It really didn't matter, this is for me and no one else. My family was OK with it, but not big on me going to Mexico. They got over it. My co-workers are excited for me and have invited me to work out with them after I have my surgery. My boss is now seriously considering it. His wife had gastric bypass and he didn't want any part of that. So maybe my positive input will help him. For so long I looked in the mirror and lied to myself, I was so embarrassed and ashamed. I made empty promises to myself, tried every diet, even damaged my heart with phen-fen. Ask yourself this: Do you think anybody will believe you are just eating healthy and dieting? Really? REALLY? If you say this and it is found out that you really had surgery, then everyone will see you as a liar. I'm an honest person and am not ashamed that I am having this surgery. If someone doesn't like the surgery I'm having and give me any negativity, I only have one thing for them and that is a big fat WHATEVER! Be proud of what you are doing for yourself.

Just had to share. I am very happy. I love Idaho healthcare! We have some awesome doctors up here. I went to see my primary doctor. I've never had my thyroid checked and it's been years since I had a full blood workup. I decided since my surgery is scheduled with Dr. Ramos Kelly in Mexico, that it wouldn't be a bad idea to get all this done so I have a baseline to compare the new me to. He did a full blood work up on me. My results will be back Monday. He agrees with my decision for surgery. He is very ok with me doing it in Mexico. He said they have wonderful doctors there. His father lives there and loves their health care system. He wants to see me 2 weeks after the surgery and will be happy to do my aftercare. It was a relief for me. I’ve read the stories that doctors here don't want to touch you after you go to Mexico. The only thing he recommended is that I get my flu shot before going. He put me on Chantix to help me quit smoking. He said he wants me to quit, it will help with my healing process.

BCBS of Idaho excludes any WLS.

What a great group of people on here. It's only 7 weeks away! I know it will fly by. My coworkers have been so supportive. My daughter will be going with me. hubby wanted to go but I didn't want him to, he frets and worries over me too much. My family has been supportive. They weren't real sure about Mexico, but they are coming around, LOL. When they started to balk I told them ok, you pay for me to do it in the states. They are now ok with Mexico haha.