From wanting an Abdominoplasty, Panniculectomy, and Arm Lift to GASTRIC SLEEVE?!

I am having my gastric sleeve surgery done in Tijuana, Mexico on Oct 27th, 2014 by Dr. Illan at Baja Bariatrics. So far I have had a great experience with him and his team. I've mostly been in contact with Omar, who is the patient care coordinator. He has been very helpful with knowledge of how things work. From letting me know there is provided transportation from the San Diego airport to the hospital, emailing me to do/to get lists, answering passport questions, etc. I have done a consult with Dr. Illan himself on skype, he answered the questions I had. He also confirmed that he will be there during my pre-op testing and will do a more in depth meeting in person when I get there. I feel very safe putting my life in his hands. That being said, today is officially my first day on my 10 day liquid pre-op diet!! Over the last few weeks I have slowly replaced normal meals with liquids so that by today I would be ready to be full on for every meal! I can say that I am fine during the day, I have no hunger, but when it gets to be around 3pm I am wiped out. I get almost an overwhelming surge of exhaustion. It last about an hour and a half, then I get off work and I get my second wind. I have still been cooking supper for my man in the evenings...that is a challenge sometimes. I have a weird guilt thing about not cooking for him, so even though it's hard for me to smell/cook yummy stuff, I do it for him. One of my biggest fears is him feeling neglected while I'm busy getting healthier. I seem to get really irritable while cooking and sometimes be a snark about questions about food. (For example: This evening my fiance was trying to discuss our plans for a BBQ we're having this weekend with a few of our friends. He asked about thawing out pork chops and if I would marinate them, then asked if I planned on making a side dish...mind you this conversation is going on while I'm putting together a homemade pasta bake for his supper tonight....so I was literally drooling, ready to knaw my own arm off, craving food, and doing my best to tell myself food is OFF LIMITS...So at one point I had zoned him out on accident. When he got my attention I was like "seriously? SHUT UP ABOUT FOOD!! I will get everything ready for tomorrow but right now I am finding it really hard to resist temptation of food...so just stop!" I felt like the evil witch of the west. He didn't even realize I was having such a hard time, so he looked like a puppy that had been swatted with a newspaper! It made me feel bad. Normally discussing these things gets me excited, but in the current situation it made me want to slap him.) So be aware of how things might change. One thing I can't say enough is communication is the key.

I had my consultation with Dr. Atchison in Kearney, NE. He was very nice. He did not give me the answer I was so hoping for, however, he got me pointed in another direction to continue on my weight loss goals. He referred me to another doctor in Kearney that specializes in weight loss surgeries.

(Before I go on, I must say I was an emotional wreck after having my consult, no matter how nicely you try to tell someone they're "obese", it still hurts to hear. After 60lbs of weight loss already I was crushed that it wasn't enough. That being said, I am so thankful he referred me and even called and got me an appointment THE SAME DAY so I didn't have to wait any longer or make another 4 hour round trip and try to schedule around a hectic work schedule. I really truly appreciated that!! I will be going back to Dr. Atchison once I am able to have cosmetic surgery!)

He referred me to my second doctor of the day. Her name is Dr. Stade at Kearney Regional Medical Center. She talked to me about the Lap-Band, gastric bypass, and gastric sleeve. She highly recommended the Lap-band. She discussed my original goals with me and I admitted to her that I had previously thought about a weight loss surgery but thought I didn't need it because I'd convinced myself it was for "weak people". Please don't judge me. Let me tell you, boy I got an eye opening!!! By the time I left her office I was convinced maybe I was meant to be "skinny" and this was a tool to help me reach my goals! My goals being 170lbs hopefully before my fiance' and I get married Oct 2015. She told me the cost in cash for the Lap-band is $16,000. I asked if my insurance would cover it and she had her nurse call, within an hour she had called me back and told me my insurance had an exclusion for bariatric surgery.(damn it!) However, she would continue to look for loop holes or better payment options to suit me then let me know ASAP if she hears anything. Wow! I am so thoroughly impressed with Dr. Stade and her nurse, Melissa!!!

After getting home and doing more research and reading through all the materials she gave me, I have decided that the Lap-Band is NOT for me. Too restrictive of a permanent lifestyle change for me I could not worry constantly if whatever I'm eating might clog the very small hole the band would create and I couldn't completely cut out any one food for the rest of my life. She gave me her email address and told me to email her with any questions or if I wanted more information...so I did earlier this evening! I have decided that the gastric sleeve would be the perfect fit for me. Dr. Stade told me she normally doesn't perform the gastric sleeve but if I decided I would be interested she would help me find I surgeon to take care of me and my needs. I have a new sense of excitement and can't wait to hear from her. I am feeling kind of sad that I probably won't get to continue my journey with Dr. Stade as I really liked her and Melissa. However, I am still stoked to be on the right track and hope to get scheduled for surgery ASAP. I think I have enough documented at my primary doctor as far as weight checks/weigh loss advice/being prescribed Phenterimine for 3 months all over 2 years to qualify for insurance if there is a loop hole to jump through. So I hope the ball gets rolling soon!! I will update a soon as I hear anything!

Super stoked to be having my consult today! Hoping all goes well!