Help - I'm self pay and need a little direction!

My husbands employer is self-insured (First Health)-specific exclusion against WLS. Soooo...I will be self pay. I have looked at a few options (including Mexico) - to try to get the best experience and end result. We all know money doesn't grow on trees, but I don't want that to be a motivator, either. In other words - I don't want to get the cheapest WLS and end up with more problems OR the most expensive and end up with money regrets. Does anyone have any input on this???? BTW, I'm looking at the DS..... Thank you!!! Stephanie

Check out the DS forum and see if anyone has recommendations.  I'm going to Mexico for a VSG;  I chose the surgeon from people's recommendations on that forum.  Many of the Mexican doctors charge a flat rate that covers everything but airfare.  Sure beats the prices in the U.S., and many of the Mexican surgeons have more experience ... and better patient satisfaction! ... than the U.S. doctors.  Best of luck!    --Dorothy 

I have also played with the idea of Mexico....just hard to make the decision.

I am having the gastric bypass and am self pay.  I am however chosing to stay in my town and have it at the cost of 21000 (about half what insurance is billed) which covers everything.   I played with the idea of Mexico but my husband and family were very against it,  and I really like the idea the surgeon is nearby if i need him.   I agree on checking with the DS folks and best of luck. Linda

21000 isn't that bad. I guess I need to buckle down and check around Atlanta for some cash prices....

I chose Alvarez in Mexico- my close friend is a year out surgery with him and doing so well. She says that everything was easy, there was no huge language issue, and the staff was very accomodating. My BMI is 53 and I am paying 10, 500. All financed through medical lenders. Susan, his patient coordinator had the surgery a few years ago and is REALLY helpful with nerves, questions, and accomodations.

I had my surgery in Tijuana in April. I had RNY by Dr Liza Pompa. She was fabulous. I flew to San Diego and they picked me up at the airport, then put me up at the Marriot in Tijauna. Then they came back later and took me shopping. They were great. The next morning they picked me up took me to the Hospital and performed my surgery. I would not think twice about using Dr Pompa again.  As a matter of fact I sent my son to her a few weeks ago to have Lap-band.  He is like me he thinks she is great.  Did I mention when I went I went by myself, and I was not afraid at any point on my trip. From the time I arrived at the airport to my departure I felt just fine. I had no worries. I seen where if you mention you seen their ad on OH they have a special for RNY 10900, Gastric Sleeve 9000, and Lap-band 5500. I paid 11500 for the Rny, and my son's Lap-band was 6500. The ad is for "thebariatricgroup.com" My coordinator was Patty, and she was so nice. Every few weeks she or someone from the group calls just to check on me. I would recommend them to anyone.

What about the aftercare?  How as that been handled?  Support groups? 

Little lady, you must be one brave woman to take that challenge by yourself...is there a reason why?

Thank you for your info!!

Let me first say I went through the last yr and a half losing my mother, father to cancer. I was also diagnosed with cancer during that time, but some how I beat it.  After all of that I just didn't think there was anything else that I couldn't handle on my own.  My husband was at work when I made my plans, and I called him and told him I was going to Mexico. He was like WHAT.  I can go with you if you will give me a couple of weeks to ask off from work  I told him I would be fine.  I had already had the lowest times in my life, and if I didn't like what I saw I could turn around and leave.  Now my aftercare. I was told in a week to go see my regular Doctor and get my stitches out, and thats what I done.  If I have had any questions I call my Coordinator and they will talk for hours to you on the phone they are wonderful. Let me say I really don't have to call them as they seem to call me every few weeks to see how I am doing, or have questions.  I weighed 195 after my Chemo this year, and the meds that I have to take for the next 5yrs the big side effect is weight gain, and I am just not good at losing weight on my own so I was afraid at what I might weigh at the end of the 5yrs. My chemo Doctor didn't really want me to do the surgery, but I am kinda stubborn and when I set my mind to something they ain't no changing it.  A few weeks after my surgery they faxed me my medical records to give my doctors here. So that made them happy to have a copy and to know exactly what was done. So if you have not had surgery and decide to go with them, all you have to do is ask for your records and in a few weeks they will send them to you. Support Groups I haven't went to any.  I know there is some here, but I am not going to eat right.  Im a hamburger, pizza, and mexican food lover.  And that is not going to change.  Im not doing salads,tofu things that are good for you so I would just waste my time and theirs. I had my surgery on April 7 and am down 42pds eating my same old way just not as much. I told my coordinator that one day and she said she was the same way.  She did say that she tries to eat her protein and veggies, and that I really needed to do it, and made me promise that I would before we hung up, but I lied I still haven't done that.  If I was to start to get sick or something then I would but unless that happens I will stick to my burritoes. I am at my highest weight for my height and I was so happy to get there. Its been along time since I weighed 153pds. Now I do sometimes have pain on my left side under my breast after I eat.  I have learned that its when I eat to fast or to big a bites. The way I found out I had went to my doctor and he ordered a upper GI, and it came back negative. The doctor who did the test asked me who did my surgery and I told him that I had it done it Mexico, and he told me by the way it looked that they did a great job. All I needed to do was to slow down and chew. I hope this helps with any questions that you may have. I would be more than glad to talk to you by phone if you have anymore questions. Just write and let me know.

 

Thanks,

Denise Harrison