My Username says it all!

[MlkPas 5]

Kara, I don't know how old you are, but I sure wish this option had been available to me 20 or 30 years ago! I have tried EVERYTHING, and I do mean everything. Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, personal trainer, acupuncture, psychotherapy, Optifast, liposuction, you name it. I was never able to get really slim, and I was never able to keep myself at what I considered an acceptable weight unless I absolutely made a career out of it. And I have better things to do than exercise and obsess about food all the time. If you need a supportive fiftysomething mom, I'll be it!

[karaserene1985 1]

Kara, I don't know how old you are, but I sure wish this option had been available to me 20 or 30 years ago! I have tried EVERYTHING, and I do mean everything. Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, personal trainer, acupuncture, psychotherapy, Optifast, liposuction, you name it. I was never able to get really slim, and I was never able to keep myself at what I considered an acceptable weight unless I absolutely made a career out of it. And I have better things to do than exercise and obsess about food all the time. If you need a supportive fiftysomething mom, I'll be it!

Sounds good! I'm 24 years old so you'd be perfect! My mom is 58.

Even though I'm only 24 I've done a lot of dieting also. Phentermine twice. Weight Watchers, Just plain old diet and excercise, slim fast, low carb, you name it, i've tried it! I'm glad I have this option before I have kids. It'll mean for healthy pregnancies and a healthy lifestyle for my children. I've been married for 5 years and everyone asks me why I don't have kids yet. My answer always was because I wanted to lose weight first. I didn't want to be 300 pounds before getting pregnant and be on bed rest my whole pregnancy because I couldn't move!

I'm having my surgery April 15th. If I wait a year and 1/2 before getting pregnant, I will be just about 27 when I have my first child. I will have my whole life ahead of me. A whole healthy life!

My mom doesn't see that. She only sees the right here and now. I wish she what i'm seeing for myself and my future.

[Smelly Melly 0]

Change4thebetter2010...I know what it is about your mum! She's your mum and she loves you and she doesn't want anything to happen to you. I'm 35 married with two children and my mum is worried about my upcoming surgery. I totally understand where she is coming from. She doesn't want me to have it done and is not supportive. It's just because she loves me

[ohtobeme 0]

I know I'm new here but if I could add anything to this conversation it would be, you are doing this for you and your health and well-being. It would be nice to have mom's support but when push comes to shove you need to do this for you.

All the best.

John

[karaserene1985 1]

I know I'm new here but if I could add anything to this conversation it would be, you are doing this for you and your health and well-being. It would be nice to have mom's support but when push comes to shove you need to do this for you.

All the best.

John

Thats what this is all about, doing this for myself. I'm tired of doing something for everyone else. It's about time I take care of myself! That's what 2010 is for! For Me!

[MlkPas 5]

That's the spirit! I had my first and only child when I was just short of 27, and now he's 23 and I'm 51 and I feel like I'm still young and he's all raised, and I still have the best part of my life ahead of me! Hugs from your VST "mom!"

[KimChi 0]

Hi Kara,

I'm still new to this forum, but I have found it to be the best place to find answers to any questions about vsg, a great place to vent, and a good group of supportive folks who genuinely want to see others succed with the sleeve. I wish you much success on your journey!

Kim

[karaserene1985 1]

Hi Kara,

I'm still new to this forum, but I have found it to be the best place to find answers to any questions about vsg, a great place to vent, and a good group of supportive folks who genuinely want to see others succed with the sleeve. I wish you much success on your journey!

Kim

Thanks Kim. I wish you the best as well! When do you have your surgery?

MlkPas, thanks for the hug! That's more then my real mom does. I'm not joking! I'm glad we have this forum to talk to others who are in the same boat! Its important to have support when going through something this dangerous. Does your son know your having the surgery?

[FabBy50 0]

Kara

I don't in any way want to keep you from getting this surgery, because I along with many other people have done well with it. I just wonder why you are paying so much? $21,000 seems like a lot, not that it is any of my business. Dr. Aceves in Mexico is only $8700 and he has done 700 without any leaks. Just my 2 cents...please don't anyone yell at me for it!

[MlkPas 5]

Kara, I am happy to hand out all the hugs you need, any time! Here's another one from my whole family: :scared0:

And a motherly smooch for good measure: :kiss2:

Yes, my son knows about my surgery. In fact, he's going to be in town for a couple of job interviews so he'll be here for a week or so while I'm recovering. My hubby had to go out of town for a few weeks this morning, so my BFF is taking me to the hospital and will stay overnight with me at the hospital and also for a couple of days at home. So I'm in good hands.

I don't really think it's all that dangerous. Certainly not as dangerous as being morbidly obese!

And I have to agree that it sounds like you are spending an awful lot of money. I'm private pay and I'm paying $12,000 plus the cost of labs and psych, which were covered by insurance and were another few hundred bucks.

[pnw218 14]

Kara

I don't in any way want to keep you from getting this surgery, because I along with many other people have done well with it. I just wonder why you are paying so much? $21,000 seems like a lot, not that it is any of my business. Dr. Aceves in Mexico is only $8700 and he has done 700 without any leaks. Just my 2 cents...please don't anyone yell at me for it!

I won't yell at you cause I was thinking the same thing :scared0:.

I realize not everyone is comfortable going to Mexico; it is a little scary when you first think about it. I was glad to have met someone about a month before I even considered having the surgery so I had heard her story ahead of time.

I paid $5200 plus $300 airfare. If my insurance would have covered it (I didn't qualify and their restrictions were crazy), I think my share would have been even more than that.

[karaserene1985 1]

After seeing other posts, it does seem like mine is quite expensive. $7500 only goes to my surgeon. $10500 goes to the hospital for the stay and use of the facality. $1700 goes to the anestegolist. (sp?) The rest is preop tests, and Upper GI test after surgery. I guess I can be paying for the conveinence. This price includes 1 year of post op appts with my surgeon. The office is only 15 minutes from my house.

Does your price include all air fair and hotel stay as well? What are you going to do when your back home for post op care?

[Tiffykins 673]

That's a good price for all of that after care especially if you have access to a nutritionist.

You're gonna do fabulous ! ! !

[pnw218 14]

After seeing other posts, it does seem like mine is quite expensive. $7500 only goes to my surgeon. $10500 goes to the hospital for the stay and use of the facality. $1700 goes to the anestegolist. (sp?) The rest is preop tests, and Upper GI test after surgery. I guess I can be paying for the conveinence. This price includes 1 year of post op appts with my surgeon. The office is only 15 minutes from my house.

Does your price include all air fair and hotel stay as well? What are you going to do when your back home for post op care?

At Jerusalem Clinic, most people arrive in San Diego the day before and stay at a hotel near the airport. Several have free shuttle service. A driver from the clinic picks you up at the airport the next morning, the day of your surgery, and takes you to the clinic. You and a companion stay free while at the clinic and recovery house. All meals are provided for your companion as well and the food looked and smelled amazing! I heard it was good, but didn't get to try it of course :scared0:.

As far as post op care, I am hoping not to need any. I already had a digestive specialist that I saw for other issues so can hopefully go to him if necessary. And complications seem to be rare.

It isn't the first time I have lived dangerously! :kiss2:

[karaserene1985 1]

That's a good price for all of that after care especially if you have access to a nutritionist.

You're gonna do fabulous ! ! !

:scared0: You think so! I'm guessing for everyone that has gone to Mexico, they have to pay to meet with someone back in the states for any post op check-ins. I know my regular nurse practioner is $120 a visit. Just to meet with her. What would you consider a years worth of post op appointments to cost?

I hope I'm not overspending! But I would pay so much more for an extended life!