Sunday, December 4, 2011

BODY WEIGHT SAGA 3:

I'M ON MY WAY TO TIJUANA!!

I am, on the 7th of December 2011, having bariatric surgery: VERTICAL SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY SURGERY! aka The Gastric Sleeve.

No place in the United States will do this surgery on me because I'm not heavy enough! But in Mexico, they will!!!

Through laproscopic incisions, 80% of the stomach is removed and the stomach is stapled together to resemble a sleeve. This not only reduces the capacity of the stomach, allowing only small meals, it removes that section of the stomach that produces Ghrelin, a hormone that induces hunger and increases appetite. It's the latest of the bariatric surgeries and destined to become the most popular. Unlike the "by-pass" surgeries, it's less invasive and it preserves the pyloric valve and duodenum.


Weight loss is very successful. Losing most of the excess weight in about a year is normal. Mine will be slightly quicker as I have less to lose than the typical patient. I'd like to lose 60 lbs. (225-165), BMI of 22.1.

In the U.S., one needs to have a BMI of 40 (300#) or with complications, 35 (257#). Mine is currently 32.5 (225#). (It's been as high as 35.6 (259#) in 2001.)


I have FIVE comorbities that weight loss will help: Diabetes 2 (A lot of patients are cured!), High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, Heart Disease and Sleep Apnea. And my constantly sore feet will benefit as well as my psychological well-being. It'll help my hurting feet and getting off some of the medicines will reduce, if not cure my shaking hand. It also adds to my life expectancy.

My primary care physician, Dr. Alarcon is delighted I'm getting the surgery. He has done blood work and adjusted my chemistry. I'm suitable for the surgery. Also, Dr. Rosa, my cardiologist, has OKed me for surgery.

Louise Johnson is weightlossagent.com. She was excellent and a good reference.

The costs are $4,500 for the surgery and $1,100 for the airplane. (I'm coming back first class so as to be more comfortable.) The surgery in the U.S. would run $12 to 20,000! No insurance covers it in either place.

I'll be home early Sunday morning, the 11th. I'll blog on the 14th about it all.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

positive thoughts coming your way. Call me if I can help with anything... Bob C.

Don Voth said...

Thanks Bob, I may take you on on it!

Robert England said...

Will you follow-up with visits to Dr. Alarcon after the surgery? I'm happy he is on board with this procedure. Where is Dr. Alarcon based?

Don Voth said...

Yes, Dr. Alarcon will follow me. He's in Georgetown.

Anonymous said...

Good luck and we will be thinking about you, Love, Bill and Jesus

Don Voth said...

Thank you Bill and Jesus.

Anonymous said...

Hi Don. I'll be coming to DC on the 7th for a few weeks. (same day as your surgery) Good luck! Hope I get to visit you. John

Don Voth said...

John, Hope to see you!

Anonymous said...

Dear Don,

I understand that you would be traveling tomorrow and have your surgery on Wednesday. My thoughts and prayers are with you and wish you a speedy recovery and a safe trip.

If there’s anything Drew and I can do, please let us know.

Hope to see you soon.

Special hugs to you.

Bonnie

Don Voth said...

Thank you Bonnie. Come see me!

Anonymous said...

Best of luck to you! Let us know if we can assist upon your return. MARK

Don Voth said...

Thank you Mark!

Anonymous said...

Hi Don: I will be thinking of you, and am wishing you the best in your surgery. I am sure that 2012 will be a great year for you both in your health, and happiness !

Rob Paul

Don Voth said...

Thank you Rob. I wish the best for 2012 to you, too!

Anonymous said...

Make sure I have your info before you go on your Mexico vacation.

Bye for now, Bob

Don Voth said...

Thank Bob!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing this latest adventure. Naturally, I'm concerned for your safety and I will be so happy to hear that everything went well. At the same time, I am sympathetic with your choice to go ahead, knowing how thorough your research has been, and that you've considered this carefully over time. Who is going to be with you?

Life has risks, and you wouldn't be Don if you didn't embrace them. And you will have such a story to tell! Hugs, Cuz Janet

Don Voth said...

Thank you Janet for your heart-felt wishes. So good to hear from you!

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you, sending my best and will be waiting to see you back! Will light candles. Love, Aurelio

Don Voth said...

Thanks Aurello

Anonymous said...

Good luck, Ray and Steve

Don Voth said...

Thanks R&S.

Ron said...

I hope your surgery is successful!

Don Voth said...

Thank you Ron!

Anonymous said...

Don,

Hope this finds you well. I wish you a very speedy recovery!!!!!!
All the Best,

Keith

Don Voth said...

Keith!. So good to hear from you. Thanks.