$25000.00 to NOT have the surgery

[AmyInOrlando]

My Brother, who I love dearly offered me $25000.00 to cancel my surgery. 8 years ago after I had lost 150 pounds I asked him to help finance cosmetic surgery for me to have skin removal surgery. I looked great in clothes, but naked, I looked like a Shar pei. He wouldn't help me pay for the surgery. Now 8 years later, I've gained back 75 pounds. I decided to have the gastric sleeve procedure as a last resort. I'm doing it in Mexico because my insurance company denied me. My Brother is totally against the surgery. Not just because I'm going to Mexico, but because he thinks I can lose the weight with diet and exercise again. He just doesn't "get it". I've lost and regained 100 pounds 3 times. For me, the surgery will be a tool to keep me from binge eating ever again. It's not an easy fix. I will still have to diet and exercise to lose and maintain my weight. I've been fighting this battle for 55 years, either bingeing or dieting. I've never eaten like a "normal" person. After surgery, I will never have the option of eating a whole pizza in one sitting, or downing a 1/2 gallon of ice cream in an evening. I'll literally be committing suicide if I attempt to eat a whole box of crackers or package of cookies. I need this surgery to SAVE my life. The benefits will outweigh the risks.

[Lucy61]

Why the band instead of the sleeve? I am biased w/my sleeve, but I has been fantastic, have not gotten sick once, followed my NUT's advice every step of the way, never have to have refill's or worry about slippage. Look on this forum for a "group' called band to sleeve or something like that. Many people are converting after so many problems w/the band.

As for your brother - there are ton's of people on here that have gone to mexico and do just fine. have you checked your insurance to see if they will pay for surgery in the US. If not I totally understand, i would have looked at mexico too. People worry about this drastic approach to weight loss, because all they hear are the OLD stories about peoples problems. One reason I have made sure to tell everyone about my surgery, and the great success I have had - time for more people to hear the good side of these surgeries. Educate your brother, give him this site to come to and ask questions from veteran sleevers.

good luck!

[Nursenad]

I understand you perfectly. I am 50 years old and have been jumping from diet to diet since I was a teenager. I lost about 80 lbs in 2005 but gradually put it all back on again. My Dr suggested I look into the band or sleeve and my bariatric surgeon said he wouldn't even offer the band to me but recommended the sleeve. I have lost 45 lbs since starting pre- op and surgery and I feel great about this decision. I feel like I finally have a chance at controlling my weight FOREVER! If your brother could walk a mile in your shoes I am sure he would understand. Tell him to carry 100 lbs on his back for a day or two and see how his body feels, sore knees, Difficulty climbing stairs etc and that is only the weight without the internal problems like diabetes and heart disease. Keep fighting for your own life and a happy healthy future and perhaps your brother could instead of opposing you so strongly support you and help pay for the surgery. Good luck on your journey!

[AmyInOrlando]

That was a typo I corrected. I am having the gastric sleeve. My insurance company would not approve the surgery because I haven't been employed with the hospital for 24 consecutive months. (I'm a RN in a Hospital that does the procedure. In fact, they have a Bariatric Surgery program and have their own Dr. on staff) I don't want to be 200 pounds for another year, and if I lose 20 pounds, they'll deny me because my BMI will be too low. That's why I chose Mexico.

[mimipam]

I had the sleeve done in Mexico and I had a great experience. While I was there, quite a few of the people that I met were there going from band to sleeve. I also have a very dear friend that had the band several years ago and has had ALOT of problems. I would seriously re-consider the band and look at the sleeve. As for your brother, which would make you happier - having $25,000 in your pocket or having a procedure done that would give you the tools to change your life permanently for the better in so many ways?

[cbridges1962]

I learned a long time ago people don't always know what's best for our own health and peace of mind. I'm sure your brother is worried and thinks he knows best, but that doesn't change the fact that you have to do what's right for you. I, like you, have lost 100 lbs more than once and gained it all back. I'm 6+ weeks out and can already tell I can use this tool to finally get control back in my life.

[Socaldixiegal]

Dieting just doesn't work long term. Well, it works to lose, but then like you've experienced (and have we all) is you regain the cycle continues. Each diet starting at a heavier and heavier point.

I am using the sleeve to break that cycle. I still have to control my eating. I still struggle with making good choices. It's entirely possible to still eat small quantities of junk or high fat foods and not lose weight and even gain. No, you won't be able to eat a gallon of ice cream or an entire pizza in one sitting . . . but a few bites at time and it's still being eaten.

I'm not saying don't do it, but you and only you are responsible for what you eat after surgery. I didn't think I'd ever be able to make it to my goal weight and with the sleeve I actually believe it's possible. I have to control boredom eating and making bad choices, but it's doable. But, even when goal is reached the choices made keep us there - or not. Bottom line - having the sleeve is pretty awesome, but you're still following rules, still watching what you eat, exercising, etc.

[Kasi]

$25,000?? *faint*

[SKgirl27]

Sorry but the sleeve will not stop you from binge eating. I struggle with it everyday. You can still binge around having a sleeve. Don't fool yourself. Binge eating is a serious disorder that needs to be addressed for the surgery to be successful. You may not be able to eat a whole pizza in one sitting but nothing is stopping you from eating a whole pizza throughout the day. The eating issues you have now will still be there after surgery.

[CoComom]

Take the money, plan a "VACATION" to Mexico! lol

[Rox]

I'm sure your brother is just concerned - however - offering you $25000 is trying to control your behavior. If that's what he's doing $25000, or any amount is not enough to let someone else call the shots in your life. There is not a damn thing wrong with Mexico - just because we can avoid our overpriced dysfunctional health care system is reason enough. My surgeon speaks better english than I do and the hospital he works from is english speaking. In the states you stay in the hospital for 1 day - I will stay for 5 days, plus 3 more days in a 4 star hotel. So i'm not worried about Mexico. I mean in the States, how much do we know about our Drs. Most of the Mexican drs., everyone know how many fillings they have. Sorry, I went off on a rant. Please - pull up your big girl pants and do what YOU want to do.

[AmyInOrlando]

I was never considering changing my mind. I was just sharing what happened. I realize this is not a quick fix, and that I'll have to be conscious of everything that goes into my mouth for the rest of my life. I've done all the research I possibly could on line and have not found one negative comment about Dr. Alvarez or his practice. People have the same post - op issues regardless of where they have their surgery done. I'm doing this for me. I'm tired of fighting this battle. I'm a RN, I've been a Psych Nurse for 38 years and I've had therapy off and on to try to get to the root of my binge eating disorder. I'm sure there are multiple contributing factors (history of sexual abuse as a child, a narcissistic Mother, yada yada yada) Whatever the reasons are don't really matter, it's the behavior that has to stop, and the sleeve is the tool I need to stop the behavior. The benefits more then outweigh the risks.

[Debcan]

You know whats best for YOU to do......Good Luck!! (It's an AWESOME tool!)

[Harley Granny]

Good luck to you Amy! I had mine in Orlando and my insurance would not pay so I had to pay out of pocket.

If your brother wants to give me the $$ not to have it.....I'll take it! Technically since I've already had it I can't have it again! lol

Sounds to me like you have a great attitude about this and you're gonna do just great!

[bergamini]

I'm sure there is an element of love to this but it mostly strikes me as an element of control. I would tell him exactly where he could put that $25K, you are an RN and it sounds like you have a good job...you don't need money to be less healthy. I had the sleeve 205 days ago and if someone had offered me $25K now to have it reversed (if such a thing were possible) I would flatly turn them down. It is priceless to be free from the grips of food.