Getting sleeved on 2/28!

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone!

My name's and even though I haven't been posting on the board until now,

I have been reading for several months. The information all of you provide is

very helpful, and it makes me feel even more comfortable about my decision.

I attempted to get the surgery approved through my insurance but because my BMI

isn't quite at 40 it was a no-go. Having the surgery here in the U.S. without

insurance coverage just wasn't an option for me due to the cost so I

investigated other options and that's how I found Dr. Aceves. All of your

experiences have alleviated any fear I had about going to Mexico for this

procedure; it sounds like I will actually be treated with more dignity and

respect than I would " here in the states " without any sacrifice to the sterile

and safe environment. Some of the other less expensive locales did not give me

the warm fuzzies.

Don't get me started on what I think about the absolute absurdity of not being

fat enough (at 38 BMI) to have insurance coverage. My doctor here told me that

some people will actually gain weight on purpose in order to get qualified. How

backwards is that?

I am 41 years old and have struggled with my weight just about all my life. I

remember getting picked last for sports back in grammar school, and in high

school I remember some of my friends bragging about their 2-digit weights.

Several of them had other types of eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, etc.

I went the other direction and learned to overeat for all occasions. Upset?

Have a cookie. Stressed? Have a drink. (I never liked the taste of alcohol

much so that usually meant something very sugary and high calorie) Heartbroken?

Binge on everything in sight. Feeling lazy? Fast food is so cheap and easy.

Celebrating? Let's have a big steak & lobster dinner plus cake and champagne!

Bored? Something sweet or salty or greasy, please.

I have been yo-yo dieting for well over 20 years and have even attained a

healthy weight a couple of times (which lasted about 5 minutes). I've tried it

all - Atkins, Weight Watchers, various programs with prepared foods, and just

about every fad or crash diet that ever crossed my path. At this point, I know

that they will never work in the long term because I just can't feel hungry and

deprived all the time. I need something sustainable.

I feel good that this is the right decision for me. I'm no athlete, but I live

downtown and walk regularly. I have mild sleep apnea and my cholesterol is

higher than I'd like it to be, but I'm reasonably healthy so hope to recover

from surgery quickly. The liquid diet thing doesn't scare me; I've done much

worse on various fad diets and I can do anything for a short time period. I'm

hoping that I'll be feeling well enough to work from home (and the comfort of my

own bed) the week after surgery but will just play that by ear. I expect to be

back in the office (and on the road) by March 14.

I'm really looking forward to not fighting my body at every turn. I will be

absolutely thrilled to feel satisfied with a small amount of food, and I hope my

tastes do change somewhat. Years of overeating and too much junk food sure

haven't done me any favors.

Long term, I am also really looking forward to just feeling better all the way

around. I hope to have less aches and pains, much better endurance, and

absolutely no issues with wiping my butt or worrying about peeing if I cough or

laugh too hard.

I am also looking forward to the confidence that I know comes when I am at a

more healthy weight. I am single, and I know that I often hide from the world

when I feel fat & gross (which is most of the time, lately). I don't want my

weight to be an obstacle to doing things in life whether that be traveling the

world or just putting on a bathing suit (and wearing it in public) without

complete mortification. I would like to date again and I would like to stop

cringing when approaching a mirror or when someone starts taking pictures. I

don't need to be " skinny " but I wouldn't complain if I was. I just want to feel

more normal and healthy.

A good friend of mine had this surgery nearly 4 years ago when it was relatively

new, and she still looks and feels great! She has however not sugar-coated it

for me and I have heard a lot of the plusses and minuses so although I'm

optimistic, I also believe I have realistic expectations. All of your posts

have been enormously helpful too.

I have started a little bit of preparation since I will be departing for San

Diego in just over a week. Yesterday I bought some Miralax and Prilosec and a

pill crusher along with groceries like broth, sugar free jello, and various

clear liquids so that they're here when I return. I also ordered some of that

Unjury protein powder (flavorless) to mix into sugar free beverages I like.

For my trip to Dr. Aceves I have my electronic gadgets, pajamas, fuzzy socks,

slippers and comfy clothes for the plane ride home ready to go in my smallest

rolling bag! I travel a lot for work so I always have my usual toiletries and

such, and I'll also get a small amount of cash in small bills for tips before I

leave. What am I missing?

Cheers,