So I scoured the internet for information once I had made up my mind to have the surgery. I was on a mission. I mean, ON A MISSION. Nothing was going to stop me. And since my insurance wouldn't pay for any of it, I had to find a company that would finance me as well.
I came across a surgeon's name in Piedras Negras, Mexico who was very well known who had written a book, had a fabulous website that showed the entire process start to finish, where you would stay, even YouTube videos of the drive from the hotel to the hospital, even a liason whom you could call with any questions about anything regarding the entire procedure. I knew I had found my match.
So I booked my flight, and was on my weigh (way) lol.
I paid about a third of what it would have cost me if I had had the surgery performed here in the states, and turns out, Dr. Guillermo Alvarez is now extremely well known in the world of gastric surgeries and is the first to ever perform on a young person. He has been in Newsweek magazine and has now written two books, so if you have any questions about this procedure, you can find information very easily here...Dr. Alvarez Book.
Anyway, I am maintaining a 150 or so pound weight loss and hover between 125 pounds and 135 pounds with very little effort--so the surgery works. I will post pictures.
Me Before:
My son and I Christmas Eve 2010-one month before surgery. |
My husband and I getting ready to go out with friends about 3 1/2 years after surgery |
Anyway, I only know that this route was right for me and if you have any questions, Dr. Alvarez' books would be a great place to start. You can get them on Amazon.
Thank you for reading my blog!
Lisa
Hi Lisa my name is Carmen and live in Miami, I have read your comments since the beginning and they have helped me a lot. Thank you for that. I am getting my surgery Feb 10 and tomorrow I start the 2 week shakes, I am exciting and of course a bit scared at the same time. I have been reading and informing myself as much as I can but also not gong into a lot of sites, because I really don't want to change my mind at this point.
ReplyDeleteI congratulate you for your 4years, it takes effort and control of what you want in life and you certainly knew that when you decided to have this surgery done.
thanks again
Carmen
Carmen, I just wanted to thank you for your comment on my blog and ask how things are going for you by now?
DeleteLisa
Such an inspiration, I have finally found an insurance company that will pay for my surgery, I have battle for 20+ years with my weight, I don't like myself I hurt everywhere I am depressed because of it. I'm so excited for my appointment on the 4th with the physiologist, nurse practitioner and the dietitian. This is has been such a loooooooooooong time coming.
ReplyDeleteI remember having the same feelings you are experiencing! One thing I will say is that while the surgery corrects your physical obesity, it does not correct the mindsets that came with it... So if you struggle even as you lose weight and see your body changing I would not hesitate for a moment to recommend seeing a therapist to help. Best of luck to you!
DeleteYour blog is very helpful and your photos are inspiring! I am stuck at a plateau, my own fault and I'm once again heavily into the program. I also had the same surgery for much the same reasons so it is wonderful to find someone in the same situation. Congratulations on your success!!!!
ReplyDeleteRosemary thank you for your comments! I have my weaknesses and challenges, and at times feel weak physically...I do need to focus on eating healthier and working out more....I have been off my bicycle for some time and feel weak. We still have to do the work don't we? :-) Thanks again for your comment! Lisa
Deletehi, I'm looking to be sleeved my insurance is giving me the run around so I'm going to be doing self pay I'm soo excited and nervous. I want to start blogging to help me thru the process how do I start a blog??
ReplyDeleteHope to hear from you soon :)
Hi Mae! Sorry for the late reply...I am using the program called "Blogger" which has pre made templates you can use to start your own blog...it just takes a little work to set up but then you can blog every day if you like...you can see I'm not very good at doing that! But I do try to reply to comments to my posts because I think it's important to try to help others if I can. Best of everything to you on your Sleeve Journey! Lisa
DeleteI am just starting research but my story is very similar to yours, in that I'm about 280 lbs and 39 years old and my joints are bad and now I have sleep apnea. I have been considering the sleeve and found your blog. I was hoping I could ask some more questions? I am also self-pay so I was wondering, roughly, what it cost to do the sleeve in Mexico? I know prices change but I need something to aim for the budget. Also, how in the world you made it through the pre-op diet?!? I have tried the 700 calorie juice diet and only lasted a day or two. I can't imagine how you could do that for 10 days! Also, you blogged a few times about bad days where you wanted to emotionally eat and how bad it felt that you couldn't. How is that now? Do you still want/crave the emotional eating? I am a binge eater and one of my hold ups is that I will have the surgery and still not be able to over come the emotional eating and I'll gain back all the weight. I know it's a risk but you seemed to be able to overcome it so I was wondering how you were doing with that now? I really hope you get this comment even though it's been months since there has been a post... Thank you for blogging your journey, it gives me hope!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this blog. I'm revising from the lapband (only lost 20 lbs) to the sleeve with the hopes that this surgery will help me more than the band. Your blog has been such an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteHello, I'm getting the gastric sleeve done on the 22nd April... it's been reassuring to read your blog. thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your decision to have the sleeve done! The 22nd is the day before my birthday! I will think of you! Best to you!
DeleteHello, I was actually commenting to you or anyone who has commented, I am considering the sleeve because I try and lose weight and eat right and it just doesn't work. I want to be healthy and at the right weight. I have no idea how to start. My insurance doesn't pay for it so I need to pay for it and I have no clue what prices im looking at. If anyone has any feedback for me as to what im in for with money and where I start with this whole thing it was be great. I have always been called fat and im ready to take a stand and lose this weight! :)
ReplyDeleteSome states are cheaper than others. In Houston I've seen one for $15,600, which includes a year of after care, and $50 annual check ups. In Seattle $18,000 with 2 years of after care and $150 annual check-ups to $23,000 with only 3 months of after insurance. I don't know what it costs in other countries. I'm not sure where you live, Heather, but you could go to a free info-seminar at a few hospitals to familiarize yourself.
DeleteSleeve Gastrectomy is a surgical procedure used in the treatment of Obesity. To learn more about this surgery click our site:http://www.weightlosssurgery-india.com/procedure/laparoscopic-sleeve-gastrectomy.html
ReplyDeleteI have been reading blogs to get a sense of what everone goes thru, surprisingly similar! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteDr. Vikas Singhal owning a world-class Bariatric surgery in Delhi and giving the utmost services of Bariatric surgery that helps you to lead onto a new chapter in your life towards a slimmer and healthier you. With modern technologies, equipment and team of skilled experts, it is one of the best Bariatric Surgery centers providing services of bariatric surgery along with diabetes surgery and laparoscopic surgery.
ReplyDeleteMichelle,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for the late reply to your amazing post, I need to some how get my blog to notify me of all my replies...anyhow, I'm curious as to how you're doing now? How did surgery go? How is your daughter? Your story is very familiar to me in many ways with the emotions you mentioned. I send you much love and all positive energy and hopes that you are doing well! Lisa
Oh, sillly me!!! I just saw this message! Thank you for the update! I'm so happy you are doing well, or were back last year in October...I would love to still have an update this year? Glad to know you Michelle!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog post. You shared very relative information what I was looking. Thank you so much for sharing with us. I also find best gastric sleeve surgery hospitals in India at medtravels.in.
ReplyDelete