self pay scheduled for 7-20-05 with dr aguirre in mexico

i am so happy to be having my surgery. i am saving every penny to reach my goal. nobody i know supports me going to mexico, but i am doing it anyway. my insurance will not cover the procedure so i will self pay to get it done. i really need some encouragement, so i read the site every day.

Hi Patricia, My name is Karen and I am scheduled to have surgery here in Baltimore if my insurance approves. I am currently undergoing a six month doctor supervised weight loss program before I can get approval. I am feeling somewhat discouraged because I am feeling pressured by by doctor and nutritionist to lose weight before the surgery. I know that any weight I lose before the surgery can only be beneficial, however it's not easy. I first consulted with my doctor in October 2004. I was dealing with a stressful situation in my family for a short period of time and instead of losing weight I had gained five and a half pounds when I saw my surgeon in December. By the beginning of February, I had lost 13 and a half pounds but know that I have not lost anything in this last month. I was unable to keep my appointment yesterday because of work and intentionally haven't rescheduled yet. I hope that perhaps in a couple of weeks I will have lost five more pounds or so and will feel comfortable about seeing my nutritionist and surgeon without being chastised. I hope to get approval from my insurer because I couldn't afford to pay myself. Kudos to you for doing whatever you need to do to get your surgery. Good Luck!

Hi Patricia! Congratulations on your surgery date! I am sure that your surgery will be a great success and that you will be much happier when you are healthier. I pray that you have someone going to Mexico with you. It will be very, very hard if you are alone. I am not sure of your height, but our BMIs preop are similar. I Was a 39.7. I am now 8 months out and my BMI is a much healthier 26. My one year anniversary is the day after your surgery. Can I ask how much you have to spend for surgery in Mexico? Is it a lot less than here? I have read about other OH members going to Mexico as well. Good luck! Barb

Hi Patty Cake! I too am having surgery in Mexico in July. Mine is the 12th in Monterrey. I will be coming home on the 21st. Were is your surgery going to be? We might have an opportunity to support each other personnally. I have the same problem with folks reaction when I say I am going to Mexico. I have quite saying where I am going - I just say I want to do this by myself and I will call you after I get home. They seem to understand. I have a friend who is going with me to have surgery on the same day. Her sister is going to "take care of us". She is an LVN and I am an RN. I am sure we will all be just fine. More later! Y

Hey there Patty, I am also scheduled for surgery in July (the 5th). I will be self-pay as well (my parents are paying). I understand your frustration with support. Even though they are paying, my mom still repeatedly asks me "are you sure you have to do this?" "are you sure you want to do this?" My husband is behind me, and I think he is the only one that believes 100% this is what I have to do. Just remember, you are doing this for yourself, not anyone else. What are they going to say to you when you're thinner and healthier? "I told you not to do that"? Keep your chin up girl and hang in there! You're on your way!

Hey Patty, I, too will be having my surgery in July. (the 11th) I am fortunate in that my insurance will pay. However, if it didn't I think I would do whatever I could to have the surgery. I really admire your courage and your determination. YOu are doing what you know you need to do for YOU!! Don't let others discourage you. Other people sometimes seem to believe that they know better what is best for someone else. Just remember that they "mean well". Just smile and thank them for their "concern" but stand firm in what YOU know is best for YOU!! I will keep you in my prayers! Keep us informed! Sandy

Congrats!!! on your surgery I know that every penny counts. But your are worth every cent. I was scheduled in May but they found I that 75% of my left artery was block so I had to put it off for three months, but know I have a date of July 5th. Hope everything goes smooth for you. Thinking of you in KS. Brenda

Congratulations on your surgery date...I have friends who have had this surgery in mexico, So you are going to be fine girl!!.

My date is 7/19 and I am self pay also. I started my journey last summer but was in the wrong insurance plan at work (United Health Care); if I had been in the Anthem plan it would have been covered. So I thought no big deal, I will switch at open enrollment. Then much to my dismay my company dropped the Anthem policy. I thought about waiting another year but my surgeon says he has never had problems with United Health Care paying for unexpected events after surgery so I have decided to finance my surgery. (I have never been more thankful for my job, computer programmer/analyst that pays more than some.) I hope everything goes well for you and I also recommend taking someone with you. Then again, maybe Mexico nurses have more time than their American counterparts, but an advocate in the hospital is always a good thing.