I am I crazy for considering surgery

[Apple1 2,572]

This is my first post. I will try not to write a book. If this is in the wrong forum I apologize.

I have been researching the gastric sleeve surgery for a while now. At my last doctor appointment in December, with my endocrinologist, he suggested that it could be an option for me because I have uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. To be honest I dismissed it right away because I was embarrassed that I would even qualify for weight loss surgery. At that time I weighed 248 BMI 36.5 and my A!C was 11.2. Since then I have been doing my best to eat low carb and get my diabetes under control. I also have hashimotos thyroid and this makes losing weight even harder. I have managed to lose 22 pounds in the past 4 months and have hit a wall. I always hit a wall and I am tired of being frustrated. I have lost and gained the same 25-30 pounds for the past 6 years and added dealing with type 2 diabetes 3 years ago. I am already taking metformin and Victoza and my doctor said if I can't get my A1c down insulin is my nest step. My ideal weight is 145 and I feel like I will never get there on my own.

Am I crazy to be thinking about going to Mexico to have gastric sleeve surgery? My current BMI is 32 with the 22 pounds I lost so my insurance won't cover the surgery. They said I have to have at least 35 BMI and then with my type 2 they would approve me. I am not going to gain weight just to qualify for surgery. I have made some progress on my own, but I really want the help that this surgery could give me as well as the likely-hood that my diabetes would improve greatly.

I am looking for advice from anyone in a similar situation that chose surgery. Are you happy with your decision?

Thank you.

[Apple1 2,572]

I noticed on the side bar in my post it says my location is Alabama. That is not true. I never said where I am from when I joined. I can't seem to figure out how to change that. Can anyone help me with that? Thanks.

[JerseyJules 862]

May I suggest you watch my video on my tough decision to go through with the surgery. And I would never go to Mexico for anything of this importance.

[Sleeve1stFitNext 924]

To change your city and state. Do the following:

1) Click your username on the top right hand side (Then Click Account Settings)

2) On the right hand side, you will see edit profile.

3) Scroll down and input the information you would like people to know.

I hope that helps.

Now, there are many people on here whom have gone to Mexico for surgery. Search some of the topics, as they also refer great surgeons that would help you.

[James Marusek 5,244]

I had RNY gastric bypass surgery almost 4 years ago. I had Type II diabetes prior to surgery and took 2 prescription medicines daily but these were still not keeping my diabetes under control. My doctor was recommending that I transition to insulin shots but I refused. I had the surgery instead. I was in the hospital for 2 days. When I left, I was off all my prescription medicines for diabetes and I have not taken any since. I periodically (around once per month) check my fasting blood sugar levels and they are fine.

The surgery does not solve everyone's diabetes. For some, they only see a reduction in the amount of medication they take. This seems to be a function for how long they were diabetic. I had diabetes treated by medication for around 5 years prior to surgery. It seems that from reading past threads, that individuals that suffered for many years with diabetes and transitioned to insulin did not experience complete remission from this disease. So the sooner that your get this problem under remission the better.

[JerseyJules 862]

17 minutes ago, Thejeweledsleeve said:

To change your city and state. Do the following:

1) Click your username on the top right hand side (Then Click Account Settings)

2) On the right hand side, you will see edit profile.

3) Scroll down and input the information you would like people to know.

I hope that helps.

Now, there are many people on here whom have gone to Mexico for surgery. Search some of the topics, as they also refer great surgeons that would help you.

I simply said I personally would never go to Mexico. The regulations are way different down there, and I dont trust it. Not to get into a pissing match about Mexico surgeons, just not for me. I read horror stories on here of people who had leaks on the plane trip home and wound up in ICU. Just do your research.

[Apple1 2,572]

27 minutes ago, JerseyJules said:

May I suggest you watch my video on my tough decision to go through with the surgery. And I would never go to Mexico for anything of this importance.

Thank you for posting the video. Your process for deciding sounded a little like some of my thoughts. I am not morbidly obese, but I already have weight related health issues and I am only 48. Diabetes and heart disease run in my family and I really need to stop the progression now.

I would much prefer to have the surgery closer to home but I don't have the $20-25 thousand. I am still undecided as to what I should do. I know a few people that have had surgery in Mexico and were very satisfied with the care they received. They did not have WLS so I am researching now to see if I can find a surgeon that I would be comfortable with.

I could just wait for the inevitable weight gain back to a BMI of 35, but that also sounds crazy to me. My current changes to my diet should help me by successful with WLS and I don't want to go backward.

[Apple1 2,572]

31 minutes ago, Thejeweledsleeve said:

To change your city and state. Do the following:

1) Click your username on the top right hand side (Then Click Account Settings)

2) On the right hand side, you will see edit profile.

3) Scroll down and input the information you would like people to know.

I hope that helps.

Now, there are many people on here whom have gone to Mexico for surgery. Search some of the topics, as they also refer great surgeons that would help you.

Thank you for your help. I have been reading this forum about people that have been successful in Mexico. I am sure there are those that have not been happy or had complications also. It is a hard decision. I am going to ask my endo doc at my next appt. for advice.

[Apple1 2,572]

15 minutes ago, James Marusek said:

I had RNY gastric bypass surgery almost 4 years ago. I had Type II diabetes prior to surgery and took 2 prescription medicines daily but these were still not keeping my diabetes under control. My doctor was recommending that I transition to insulin shots but I refused. I had the surgery instead. I was in the hospital for 2 days. When I left, I was off all my prescription medicines for diabetes and I have not taken any since. I periodically (around once per month) check my fasting blood sugar levels and they are fine.

The surgery does not solve everyone's diabetes. For some, they only see a reduction in the amount of medication they take. This seems to be a function for how long they were diabetic. I had diabetes treated by medication for around 5 years prior to surgery. It seems that from reading past threads, that individuals that suffered for many years with diabetes and transitioned to insulin did not experience complete remission from this disease. So the sooner that your get this problem under remission the better.

Thank you so much for relaying your story. The outcome you have had is what I would hope for. I have only had diabetes for 3 years, but I am progressing fast and this scares me. I think stopping this progressing and possibly getting off all meds is my main reason for wanting to get the surgery without a long delay. Even if I somehow managed through some miracle to get my insurance to cover the surgery, it would still be over a year before I could meet all of the pre-authorization requirements. I have a lot to think about.

[Sleeve1stFitNext 924]

55 minutes ago, JerseyJules said:

I simply said I personally would never go to Mexico. The regulations are way different down there, and I dont trust it. Not to get into a pissing match about Mexico surgeons, just not for me. I read horror stories on here of people who had leaks on the plane trip home and wound up in ICU. Just do your research.

UMMMM.... Maybe you need to bring your attitude down to a Zero because my comment was not directed to you. You should read that I offered her an option. I did not Quote you nor read your Quote. The world does not revolve around you and what you have posted. To make sure I am talking to you, I have now Quoted you.

Edited March 12, 2017 by Thejeweledsleeve

[lnaj59 27]

I don't think you are crazy. I am in the same boat with the BMI, thankfully I don't have any health issues (yet). I could gain 15 pounds, qualify for the surgery here, spend 6 months jumping through insurance hoops, and still end up paying around $13,000. Our insurance is awful.

So for me I don't see the point in gaining weight and possibly pushing myself into getting comorbitities when I'll still have to pay that much for surgery. Yes, there are some sketchy surgeons who are advertised very cheap and probably not the best to trust to do your surgery. But there are also wonderful ones. That's where you need to do your homework.

I hate that people bring up the leaks and horror stories so often when you mention Mexico. I doubt any of them have ever really heard of stories they're just basing their thoughts off of the stigma that Mexico has here in the US. Complications are possible no matter where you have your surgery. Don't think that just because you have your surgery in the US that it is risk free.

[JerseyJules 862]

32 minutes ago, Thejeweledsleeve said:

UMMMM.... Maybe you need to bring your attitude down to a Zero because my comment was not directed to you. You should read that I offered her an option. I did not Quote you nor read your Quote. The world does not revolve around you and what you have posted. To make sure I am talking to you, I have now Quoted you.

I dont know where your picking up attitude but whatever you read into whatever you want to read into...You in fact were responding directly to the comment I made about surgery in mexico so I responded with my opinion and personal thoughts on it. nuff said. Good day maam.

[Apple1 2,572]

34 minutes ago, lnaj59 said:

I don't think you are crazy. I am in the same boat with the BMI, thankfully I don't have any health issues (yet). I could gain 15 pounds, qualify for the surgery here, spend 6 months jumping through insurance hoops, and still end up paying around $13,000. Our insurance is awful.

So for me I don't see the point in gaining weight and possibly pushing myself into getting comorbitities when I'll still have to pay that much for surgery. Yes, there are some sketchy surgeons who are advertised very cheap and probably not the best to trust to do your surgery. But there are also wonderful ones. That's where you need to do your homework.

I hate that people bring up the leaks and horror stories so often when you mention Mexico. I doubt any of them have ever really heard of stories they're just basing their thoughts off of the stigma that Mexico has here in the US. Complications are possible no matter where you have your surgery. Don't think that just because you have your surgery in the US that it is risk free.

Thank you for posting your opinion. My husband fully supports whatever decision I make and that helps so much. I am going to check into Dr. Illan because I have read so many good things about him and his team. Have you chosen a Dr. yet?

[IveGotThePower 395]

You're not crazy. And just to throw this out there, I also lost about 30 something lbs on my last ditch effort to do this without surgery. Then I too gained it all back plus 10 lbs. So, hope you don't, but if you're like many of us, you may gain that weight back and qualify for surgery whether you try or not. Truly not trying to be pessimistic, but it is a hard battle we fight. I agree with what James said about diabetes being helped by bypass. I have read that many times and that it depends on how long you had it before surgery and how bad it was. I did the sleeve and did not have diabetes (yet). But give the surgery some serious consideration. My advice would be to do your research. I was nothing short of obsessive for at least 6 months before surgery. Read 3 books, plus recipe books, spent a LOT of time reading on this site, looked up every statistic I could find from reputable sites. Found a great program with really great people (support group, nutritionist and a very qualified surgeon). Went to the support group and informational meetings before surgery. I needed to feel comfortable about my decision and I did. And I am so grateful that I was able to have the surgery. The very best to you in your journey.

[Sleeve1stFitNext 924]

34 minutes ago, JerseyJules said:

I dont know where your picking up attitude but whatever you read into whatever you want to read into...You in fact were responding directly to the comment I made about surgery in Mexico so I responded with my opinion and personal thoughts on it. nuff said. Good day maam.

I think you need to reread my comment so you can realize that I was not speaking to you. YOUR opinion is your opinion, if you do not feel like Mexico is a good choice that is your opinion. However, do not come at me because I told her to look up topics regarding the surgery in another country (not at all mentioning you). Now I am not going to do a back and forth with a person of your level. Have a good day and next time read carefully before you post negatively.