Considering Surgery

[preynolds]

Hello,
I'm new to all of this. I'm researching gastric sleeve surgery and came upon this website.
I am trying to find a Dr. in West Texas area. Any recommendations?
I'm pretty active. I love the outdoors and enjoy walking, swimming, fishing, camping. We have a boat and jet skis and enjoy going to different lakes. I'm not looking forward to putting on a swimsuit this year.
I will be paying cash for this since my insurance will not cover it and my BMI isn't high enough.
I weigh 190lbs today. I have been a yoyo'er for about 25 years and just can't seem to keep the weight off. Over weight runs in my family. My mother who passed away a year ago was 62 yrs old and probably weighed 350-400 lbs. She was heavy my entire life and had numerous medical problems. My mothers sister was also heavy (probably 250-300 lbs.) and had a brain aneursim at age 51 and passed away. My sister had gastric bypass surgery 2 yrs ago and is doing great. She is smaller that I can ever remember her.
I'm worried about my health in the future and don't want to end up like my mother. I want to do something before its too late.
I appreciate any and all advise that anyone has to give about the gastric sleeve procedure.
Have there been any long term studies on this surgery?

[N2DVN_Hubby]

Welcome to the forum. We are very open on this site, so don't feel that any question is not worthy of asking. Remember that the only silly question is the one that you do not ask. Keep us informed of your progress and any problems you may be having, and we will do whatever we can to help get you through this. Stay in touch.

[N2DVN_Hubby]

My wife had the sleeve for the same reasons you are wanting the surgery. To reduce the amount of co-morbitities in your life. Our insurance did not cover the surgery either so we are whats considered on here as a self pay sleever. Due to the high costs of the sleeve surgeries here in the US in our area, we decided to have ours done in Mexico by a surgeon that specializes in sleeve surgeries and does them at his own private clinic that is associated with Jeruselem Hospital and is located in Tijuana. His cash cost for the sleeve is $4500. This includes the sleeve surgery and two days monitored stay in his private recovery house.

[Shugaplum]

I am in West TX, and I decided to go to Dallas to Dr D Kim to have mine done. My insurance did not cover the procedure so that made cost a factor. Dr. Kim was less expensive and more experienced that anyone else around. I would do it the same all over again, and making the trip to Dallas for the surg really wasn't as inconvienient as I thought it might be! Feel free to ask any questions!

[Barbg]

Hi I had the surg on 4/4 and did it because of comorbidities. Family history scared me and my brother has had diabetes and quadruple bypass as well as cancer which they continue to monitor. I decided If I could do anything to avoid these things, I would. My doctor says there are really no long term studiesbecause the sleeve has not been done for many years. Of all the choices available, he favored the sleeve if you are a candidate. Read as much as you can and ask lots of questions. Everyone is different so with all your info perhaps you can decide wahat is right for you! Good Luck!

[preynolds]

Thanks to all for your input. I'm going to keep researching this and weigh all my options.

[preynolds]

Have you had any adverse reactions or complications from the surgery? How long did you stay in the hospital after your surgery? Did you have to stay in
Dallas after your surgery or get to come home?
I guess that you had to go for a office visit to find out if you qualified?
I just looked at his website and according to it I might not qualify for the sleeve
I don't really want the lap band because of all the bad things that I've heard about it.
I take it that you liked Dr. Kim. What hospital does he use?
How many postop visits does he require?
Sorry for all the questions.