Introduction and my story all in one!

[funnigrl 0]

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

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I am so glad you posted this Beth. I so much enjoy chatting with you and I have a feeling we will have a longtime chatting

friendship from here on in. We are already off to a great friendship. I love finding another night owl like me.

I am really glad you posted, and keep on posting!

[funnigrl 0]

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.

[*susan* 1,709]

Hi Beth, and welcome! Thank you for posting your story. I am so glad you were able to learn about having surgery in Mexico and found that you could afford to make this wonderful change to your life. We look forward to getting to know you better.

[Bornagainbabe 4]

Hi Beth, I had my VSG the day before you so I am at the same stage as you. Diet advice and guidelines are slightly different over here in the UK but basically we are doing the same thing. I am on blended foods at the moment and it is getting very boring. Then I go onto to crunchy foods (breadsticks, melba toasts etc.) and more solidy foods before venturing on a normal diet. I have been taking advice from the American websites though as well as they seem to have more information. The bariatric surgeons over here are great but the aftercare seems to be a little 'fluffy' in places. I did have a lap band prior to my VSG though so I ahve got a bit of experience.

Anyway, you will find everyone here extremely friendly, helpful and supportive. I do, even if I don't always know what they're what they are talking about lol!!!

Hope you're feeling fine now and don't worry too much about your initial weightloss. I have only lost 8lbs since surgery, which is better off than on, but not the drastic loss I was expecting. You will find you have periods when it drops off you and others when it's very slow. Don't get disheartened because you are now on the losing side and will be looking and feeling fab in no time.

Love Helenxxx

[Ky.hen 5]

Welcome Beth,

Thank you for posting your story. I will be having surgery with Dr. Aceves on Oct. 1. Any pointers you have will be welcome. Judy

[Malaika 50]

Hi Beth - glad everything we had told you about Mexicali you found to be true -- so happy to hear you're doing well. Will be anxious to hear about your weight loss when you do weigh -- I admire your strength in not hopping on the scale. Keep us posted!

[Ruthi 60]

Hi Beth and welcome!!! what town in southeast Mo are you from, I have family there and my mother was born in the boothill. My sister graduated from SEMO and grew up about 45 min north of Cape Girardeau. Keep posting, HEY WE HAVE ANOTHER SLEEVE SISTA

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Beth likes to chat so anyone that feels like chatting, come and join us in the chat room!

I've been checking the room about 8 pm Pacific time, and I leave the window open and listen for the door bell that sounds letting me know someone has come in.

If anyone wants to chat at an earlier time, I get off work at 4 pm and I live on my lap top after that. Just send me a pm or put up a post.

The Lap Band room is always very crowded at all hours, and I would like to see our room get busy too. Chatting is lots of fun!

[ash 5]

Hey Beth! I had my surgery the same day as you! Glad your experience was great.

There's a chat room? I didn't even know!!! :thumbup:

[funnigrl 0]

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

[i1Linda 15]

Congratulations on your surgery Beth and welcome to the forum.

How come when I hop on the Chat, no one is ever there? I guess I need to pick a different time.

[funnigrl 0]

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

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Like I said, I keep the chat window open, and use another window. Then when I hear the little door bell, I know someone else has opened the chat window. My name is in the corner that I am there, but it may take me a minute to finish what I am typing and get back to the chat window.

So sleevesters, open the chat window!

[DownInSocal 12]

bahaha roll faster than you can walk.

Welcome! I think you will be a great addition to the board.