ursamajor31
Greetings! My name is Ursula aka Ursi (my nickname). I have been overweight for all of my adult life. My highest weight was in January 2011 when I weighed 328 lbs. Yikes 
I have been researching WLS options since 2005 when I learned about the lap band surgery. I am finally ready to have WLS. After much consideration, I have decided to have gastric sleeve surgery. Unfortuately, my insurance has an exclusion on all weight related surgery. So, I will be a self pay. I have petitioned my employer to add the bariatric rider to the upcoming medical plan year. There is a small possibility it will be added. Saying a prayer and keeping my fingers crossed it is approved
In the interim, my insurance does cover nutritional visits and lab work. I had my first visit with the nutritionist on April 8. My next visit is on May 7. Since I am still self-pay, I have decided to have the sleeve down in Mexico as the cost is too high in my area (Wash, DC). The costs for WLS in the DC area is $18,000 - $20,000+. I can have the sleeve in Mexico for half the price. I was able to find a highly qualified and well recommended doctor, Dr. Guillermo Alvarez, on the obesity help site. I communicated with Dr. Alvarez ( Dr. A) and his staff recently. My anticipated sleeve surgery date is October 2011.
So, I'm finally starting my WLS journey. Yay!!! I'm nervous and excited but so ready for a change! I am so tired of being obese and dealing with shortness of breath, sleep apnea, etc. I will turn 40 in 2012. I want to enter my 40's being healthy, fit and sexy!
