Is the sleeve for me??

[Yoyo 0]

Dearest Experts,

I am researching WLS and wanted the real expert (you guys/girls)opinion on

the gastric sleeve.

First a little about me:

I used to weigh 260lbs with a BMI of 42.

As a joke I went to Weight Watchers for a new years resolution with my friend.

120lbs less and 1 year later it turned out not to be a joke anymore. I thought I was on top of the world because i had beaten my food addiction!!

WRONG!!!! The first year it all went quite good but after that it all became one big battle. The weight flew on and of and on and off again. I must have gained and lost over 200lbs in the last 2 years!!!

Now I weigh 184 at 5'6". My BMI now is 29.4.

I know I need a drastic change or I will end up 260 or probably more again. Sometimes I wish I could just be large again so that I do not have to constantly worry about what I eat, how much I eat and when I do it. But then again that is not what i've been fighting for so the battle is not over quite yet!!!!

At first I thought the Lap-Band would be the thing for me but the more I research the more I seem to like the Sleeve.

I have been talking to my "local" gastro doc and he gives me trouble since I am not heavy enough. He only does lap-Band. (I'm in Canada and the only WLS covered in my province is Gastric bypass.)

Anyway, do you guys know if and where the surgeons are not to picky when it comes to BMI? It looks like most of you has the procedure done in the USA but I'm thinking of Mexico. Is there any recommendations?

It may sound weird but I just know that right now I'm still that girl with 42 BMI even tough I'm not!!

Thanks so much for your advice.

YOYO

Edited June 22, 2010 by Yoyo
ticker

[Tiffykins 673]

There's several Mexico surgeons that do not require a high BMI. Search the boards, find a reputable, qualified, and experienced surgeon that will provide the level of care that you are comfortable with. There's several fabulous surgeons in Mexico, there's also some not so great ones. You can read around the boards, and then contact each one's coordinator for rates, dates, and more specifics on your needs.

The band sucks. Bottomline, it really does. The stats that are rolling out are mind boggling, and seriously, it just sucks in so many ways. I have no qualms sharing my opinion on the band. If you're going to be self-pay, think twice, cut once. 1 in 4 band patients will have another surgery within the first 3 years based on studies out from the manufacturer of the band.

Best wishes in your research.