Pre-surgery

[sunshine1234 7]

I am 51, 5'4" and weigh 220 lbs, most of my weight is right on my belly. I am a nurse and on my feet all day. I have controlled asthma, plantar fasciitis, arthritis in my ankles, yeast infections, abcesses and a bum left knee. I was skinny and athletic all my life even after 3 kids. However, at age 37, I left a bad marriage and was put on Paxil to help deal with anxiety and depression. In 6 months I ballooned to 170 lbs and then 4 years of university, while going through a 10 year expensive divorce battle, brought me up to 235 lbs.

I have always been able to control my weight with diet and exercise prior to this weight gain, but nothing is working now. I have tried every type of diet and exercise program and yes, I might lose weight (one time up to 50 lbs) but immediately gain it back. Everybody in my family is obese. My mother has 12 siblings, my father 5 and everyone of them has metabolic syndrome so I know its just a matter of time. The writing is on the wall.

After almost 15 years of yo-yo dieting, I have reached to point of giving up. I don't even see the point of watching what I eat and going to the gym anymore. Then after going to a surgeon who is connected to a weight loss practice, I started to get excited again. My BMI of 37 and lack of recognized comorbid conditions might not let me qualify for anything other than the band unless I am willing to pay out of pocket and even then I am not sure. I am tired of everyone telling me I look great, I carry my weight well, I could do it on my own and not have surgery etc.

I attend a WLS presentation on Tuesday and can't wait.

[BeagleLover 1,020]

For a BMI of 35 - 40, you need one or two co-morbid conditions. At BMI of 40 or over, there is no such requirement.

I understand the feeling of wanting to give up. I just want to clear something up that you mentioned. If you qualify for weight loss surgery, all of the surgery options are available to you, not just lap band.

[Cody's mom 247]

Goodness, run to Tijuana and have a sleeve done, then you're in control and not jumping threw all the hoops for others. Your decission and opinion is important, do what you need to do to have a quality of life that you enjoy. Just my opinion.

[Kindle 8,667]

Goodness, run to Tijuana and have a sleeve done, then you're in control and not jumping threw all the hoops for others. Your decission and opinion is important, do what you need to do to have a quality of life that you enjoy. Just my opinion.

That's what I did. BMI 39, lots of pains and minor health issues but no "recognized" comorbidities. I researched my options, asked a zillion questions, and scheduled my surgery with Dr. Ariel Ortiz and Dr. Martinez at OCC in Tijuana. I used my "new truck down payment" fund I had been saving for 2 years. No psychiatrist, no nutritionist, no 6 month supervised diet, no hoops....just 100 pounds down from this time last year. There's no reason you can't take control of your life, too.

[sunshine1234 7]

Today I finally got an apt with the doc, Dec 22! Presentation tomorrow.

[Zane's Mom 184]

Here in Texas if your insurance won't cover the WLS but will cover the hiatal hernia, the out of pocket is anywhere from $3500 to $10000.

U.S. Doctors and they do out of town patients. I paid $8200 oop total.

I was the same. Sure I could lose some but the gains were more than the losses.

I had sleeve with no issue. I thought I would have to have a band because of low BMI but sleeve was acceptable for me and my surgeon.

[sunshine1234 7]

Winter in the UP, presentation cancelled due to bad weather! But the Dr apt still stands.