HI friends,
Thank you so much for all of your input. I really do appreciate it.
I would not be getting the bypass. I would have a hard time going through that type of major surgery in USA or Mexico.
The gastric sleeve and the lap band are much less invasive. They are surgeries so there is always some risk involved... I am aware of that.
In Mexico they don't make you do the year of counseling and dieting that they make you go through in USA. I did find doctors within driving distance to help me with post op checks. That doesn't seem to be a problem here. My insurance doesn't cover anything that has to do with weight loss. period. It woudl all be out of pocket.
The centers I was considering are in Puerto Vallarta or Tijuana. Someone PM'd me with her experience in Tijuana at the very same clinic I am considering and it was a positive one. The facility picks you up from the San Diego Airport ....takes you to the facility ..they have accommodations for you to stay there until you are released. It seems as if this center does surgery for many Americans...as they are just across the border.
I have not definitively decided on surgery or not.
I understand the concept of more exercise, less intake of calories.
I actually really like healthy food...there isn't a vegetable I don't eat. I probably wouldn't ever even eat red meat..but in my family half of them don't eat seafood. We eat alot of chicken and I even substitute TVP in most meals where hamburger is an ingredient.
I hold back on surgery because I know I am an emotional eater. I have a really good balance of almost everything in my life (most of the time) I struggle with my weight. It is my disease...so to say. I posted in an earlier response. I have watched my calories, taken up running and exercised. I did lose weight. (about 40-45 pounds) However, when I hit a plateau my mind started playing games on me and i gave up after all that hard work. I feel like if I had the jump start of a surgery I could maintain my weight because I had the discipline to run and eat healthy for 6 months (maybe longer). I could continue beating myself up and what a loser I am that I couldn't just get through that plateau..Life is always going to give me curve balls and plateaus I realize this....
I need to conquer them. Sometimes if we have a bit of ammo to help us conquer them we feel a bit more strength to get through those bumps in the road.
I would never judge anyone for their personal hardships..and I really don't feel like any of you are doing that to me. After all we all have our own struggles. I am average (or on the shorter side) I don't carry my weight as evenly as I would like....and I just want to feel comfortable in nice clothes, pretty in my own skin and healthy enough to keep up with my children and future grandchildren. I do keep up now (barely)..I don't have any other health issues...I don't have high cholesterol or blood pressure. I don't have diabetes..I don't have anything other than extra fat.
So I appreciate all the kindness and the time it took all of you to read this and offer solutions, help and advise. Time will tell.
I have much to think about and consider...not to mention my DH isn't completely on board. He has some weird paranoia about being a single Dad with 6 kids?? I don't know?? LOL
Thanks so much!
C