ObesityHelp

Lots of issues to consider in your post.

1. At 450 lbs, any wls that doesn't include malabsorption is very unlikely to be sufficient for you. I suspect that's why the surgeon is recommending DS rather than just the sleeve.

2. vitamins - absolutely necessary with the DS, and not just from time to time but every day, for the rest of your life. So yes, there is some expense involved, but it isn't a huge expense if you shop wisely. I get some vitamins from Vitalady, the stuff you can't just get off the shelf, and others from CostCo or local drug stores. This saves some money. Personally, I don't find taking them difficult at all - you develop a plan and just stick to it. Crucial to your health, but not difficult.

3. Choice of surgeon - another crucial decision. The only DS surgeon in Mexico that the veterans here recommend is Dr. Ungson (this is the correct spelling, someone else had an extra letter in there). He has lots of experience with the DS and an excellent reputation. The surgeon you named may have done a DS or 2, I don't know, but certainly not the level of experience of Dr. Ungson, and this is esp important for a larger person. And we have heard some truly awful things about both surgeons and facilities in TJ.

The DS really is your best choice. It has the best statistics of any wls for percentage excess weight loss, maintaining that weight loss, and resolution of almost all comorbidites. Bypass has a failure rate of 30%, maybe even higher for someone with a high bmi, as well as lots of unpleasant side effects - not your best choice. Sleeve has short term results similar to bypass, and longterm results are unknown. And even most surgeons who support the sleeve wouldn't recommend it for someone with a high bmi.
    I think, bottom line, you need more info to make a wise decision. Most of the veterans here have moved to a different website (I'll pm you with a link). You should also read up on the DS at dsfacts.com - lots of good info.
    You mention that the risks of the DS scare you. Yes, there are risks with any major surgery, but at age 25 and 450 lbs, you should be more scared of what your weight is going to do to you over the coming years. The risks of surgery are more immediate, but the risks of continuing with being SMO are worse.

Larra

The more of your posts I read, the more clear it is that you still have some research to do.
    No, the DS isn't the sleeve mixed with a bypass. Yes, it includes the sleeve, though usually the sleeve is made a bit bigger with a full DS than with just a sleeve. This is because when they first started doing the sleeve as a stand alone, they saw a lot of weight regain after 4-5 years. With the narrower sleeve, we don't know if the weight regain problem is fixed or, more likely, just postponed. We do know that a really narrow sleeve increases the risk of problems with GERD.
     Along with a sleeve, the DS bypasses about half of your small intestine by attaching the lower half or the small intestine to the duodenum. The two resulting channels meet to form the common channel, which is where most of your digestion occurs. In gastric bypass, the small bowel is attached to the stomach, and only a very little bit of the small bowel is bypassed. Very different operation with much different diet, side effects, and results.
    recovery - 1 week isn't going to be sufficient no matter what operation you have. This is major surgery with general anesthesia. One week is not realistic, period.
    Cost - I don't know of any wls that you can get for $5,500, even in Mexico. If that is truly all you can afford, I would recommend holding off, saving more, and having surgery when you can pay for it (realistically!) and take enough time off from work or school. I hate telling anyone to wait for medical care, but I think once you get there for your "bargain", it won't be such a bargain.
    Do you ever watch The People's Court? Judge Milian has a saying in Spanish that translates to something like "the cheap turns out expensive" That's what you have ahead of you.

Larra

You're going to need labs and vitamins with either the VSG or the DS, so I wouldn't let that be the deciding factor. With the sleeve, you are statistically most likely to lose 55% of your excess weight. The statistical liklihood therefore is that you will still be morbidly obese after having the VSG, and you will still have to take vitamins and have yearly labs done. To me, surgery for that outcome seems like a poor use of my money and time. The DS is really the only appropriate surgery for people with BMIs over 50 IMO. Look into it a little more before you decide. I believe there is also a very experienced DS surgeon in California offering reduced rates at the moment that you may want to look into. There is another board where most of the vets from this board have moved to and they could provide you a lot more helpful information. I'll send you a PM with the link. Personally, I'd avoid going to Mexico if at all possible, both for your personal safety and because we hear a lot of horror stories. The only credible surgeons I'm aware of are Aceves and Ungston, but even with them if you have complications you will have little assistance or recourse as you are out of the US. Good luck with yoru decision!

There is a woman on the other board who has helped many, many dozens of people to get surgery through there insurance after they had been denied. She has gathered cases and information for many years and even attended hearings to help people get the surgery they need. Please, please speak with her before you make this decision! I'll send you another PM.

The thing is, that isn't true. The standard in the states is to cover for bariatric surgery at 35 BMI if the patient has comorbidities and at a 40 BMI without comorbidities. That's right - none, nada, zip. You don't have to have comorbids to get covered for surgery by insurance! Many, many people on this board and the other board were in that situation. Please check out the other board and speak to Diana!

I have to confess I don't know how to put the link in my signature! I've been sending people PMs instead! I'm there!

 HI Britt,
i too have been SMO ...... for decades.  (445lbs)  I never did get insurance to help but, was finally able to pay for myself. (Due to some Unfortunate cir****tances)  I am also pretty poor, but with shopping and researching you can make Vite's and labs affordable. I buy vites from several sources and have discovered 

i don't have any idea what happened to the rest of my post.
ETI ... 
My labs were less than $400. It's still alot, but sooo neccessary.  We just have to tighten our belts and save for them. 

I had My Ds in April and have lost 211lbs.  I feel better than I have in sooo long!!!! 

Anyway, the rest of my post said .(para-phrased)... read read read....visit the other board. and good luck.  
PM me if you have anything I can help you with.