Some curious questions...

Hello all.. I have been doing so much reading about wls lately that I think my eyes are going to pop out.. I go next week to a seminar about wls but I already know the qualifications that my insurance company has regarding it and I honestly dont think I will be approved.. I have already made up my mind that I will go next week and hear what they have to say and will start the process with my insurance company... If I am denied I will be saving to have this surgery the first of next year.. I am not going to let them win and bring me down.. I am not going to fight with the insurance company, so if needed I will go to mexico and have this done because its what I feel I need to do. Im already down because last month I went to a plastic surgeon to see about breast reduction because I have such shoulder, neck and back pain and I am quite large up there.. My insurance will pay 100%, and she told me I was a perfect candidate but I need to lose some weight first... I am so down in the dumps right now.. I have tried so many times to lose weight and its just not happening.. sorry about all my rambling.. My questions are this.... What does your family say to you when they find out you want to go to Mexico to have this surgery? Have you gotten negativity from them? I talked to my boyfriend last week about this surgery and he was behind me 100% but when I mentioned perhaps going to Mexico to have this done if the insurance wont approve he all the sudden changed his attitude.. How do you set all this up? Do you have tests beforehand on your own? Does Dr Aguirre have any pre requisites for patients for this surgery? Meaning that I am currently 240.. I have back pain, leg pain, knee pain, shortness of breath with no exertion, etc.. but I dont have diabetes, high blood pressure or anything like that?? How far in advance do you schedule the surgery? Do you pay when you get there? How long are you in the hospital? How clean is the hospital? Ive read that afterwards you do some of your own care, what care is that? How hard is it?? How long before you were able to get out and walk around? How long did you have to stay in Mexico? How do you get release to go back to work? I assume you followup with your own dr here in the states?? Sorry I have sooooo many questions, but I am the type of person *****searches everything before doing anything.. This is so new to me.. I have thought about this surgery for quite some time but never very seriously ... I am now ready to do this and want to know what to expect.. Thank you everyone for reading and responding..

Woohoo... Where do I start. Well first of all I am Ronda and I am planning on having my surgery with Dr. Aguirrein Mexico on June 7th of this year. I did not fight my insurance company either. I knew they would not end up paying and I didn't want to take a year off of my life fighting a losing battle... So I decided to call them and see if they would pay and they were rude and told me flat out no! SummaCare Sucks! So I decided to do some research on my own. I searched this website up and down left and right. Saw every before and after picture and read a lot of profiles about the experience in general. Thats when I came up on Latisha Nickles website. She was one of the first people to have her surgery done in Mexico. After that I started to research Dr.Aguirre and researched the experience in Mexico. I did research and some more research and some more research. I'll tell you that I am 24 years old and just graduated with my master's degree but I have never researched so much in my life. Even for my 75page thesis! After that I copied everything off and separated it into sections. I had about 8 different sections ranging from experience in Mexico to how will I pay for this financially. It ended up being about over 200 pages full of information I researched. After that I was confident in knowing that this journey was for me. When I made my decision I contacted Rosella who is Dr. Aguirre's daughter and the person who makes the appointments. When I spoke to her my heart just melted because her voice reminded me of that of an angel. I never had that type of feeling from the sound of someone's voice, but her kindness and compassion was that of something I have never experienced before in my life! He really doesn't have too many prerequisites. Rosella will ask you your weight and your height. When you arrive down there, they will do the blood work and urine test. Truely I talked to 4 people for hours on the phone who have had this surgery with him. People are more than willing to talk about their experience in Mexico. I have even had people willing to meet me in person!!! How awesome is that. I first told my sister and my boyfriend and immediately they were behind me, which I knew they would be. They had no problem with Mexico. But then I told more people and as soon as I did, I knew that this would have to unfortunately be a secret because peoples knowledge is very limited about out of the country services. My mom had weight loss surgery last June and I told her my decision to have the surgery. She was over joyed, but when I told her I was going to Mexico she got so mad at me she hung up on me and told me that she would not support me. I was so upset I cried and I talked to some people on this website and just prayed about it. Later that evening she called me and apologized for her actions. And told me she didn't care if I go out of space to have this done, she would support my decision. She has been behind me every since. I have read horror stories about people who travel to foreign countries and get surgery and end up hurt or dead because of the care. So I knew how people came up with their ignorant ideas. But all I can say is research for yourself but keep this to yourself. Tell only your immediate family. I told my family doctor my idea and she called me stupid and really hurt my fillings. I have a new doctor now, and I am afraid to tell her where I am going to get it done. So I just say right outside of san diego! Because I am afraid she will react like my old doctor. But I will tell her the truth when I come back. You should have a family doctor to help you when you come home. Actually you have to have someone to check your levels and stuff after 3 months then 6 months just in case you have a problem with malabsorption or anything else. You pay when you get there and you ask Rosella what dates are available. Right now the price is 9400 for everything except your flight and your hotel stay down there. Usually you can get it done when you have the money saved. There are nice apartments set up down there right by the doctors office. I chose to stay for 8 days, long enough to get my staples and g-tube out. Some people go home earlier and allow their family doctor to take those things out. But the doctor would like for you to stay for the entire 8 days just in case any problems exists. I will return to work 2 weeks after my surgery but just in case I need more time off because of energy and feeling sick, I might take some more time off. That is all up to you and how long you feel you will need to heal. I talked with Rosella and she said that if you have a sit down desk job then you can return to work in about 2 weeks after your surgery. I have my own office so I can always close my door if I need a moment to rest or something like that. Since I have not had my surgery done yet, I can't tell you how long it takes before you are ready to walk around. A lot of people say between the 4th and 6th day after the surgery you can walk around and start to feel a little better each day. For some it is longer. You do get up the next day after surgery to walk around to prevent blood clots. But my sister is well aware of the fact that we might not go to far for the 8 days we are in Mexico just in case I don't feel well. Some people can go shopping and walk to the beach a few days after surgery. It's up to you and how you deal with pain and how you heal... Wow!!! I think I answered all off your questions plus more. But just know that we are here for you if you ever have any questions. We all will have this journey to share together and will forever share a bond because of our choice to travel to Mexico. I am happy with my choice and whatever your choice may be, just know that you always have someone to talk to as long as i'm around. Feel free to email me whenever you like about any and everything. Good luck Ronda Williams [email protected]

you're awsome for taking all this time to answer these questions. i copied your answer to this post to someone that e-mailed me and asked about dr a, going to mexico, cost etc.

Ronda.. wow!!! I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions.. This has not been an easy thing for me.. The decision about the surgery was the easiest, but after calling around and finding out prices to drs in my area I realized I cannot do it close to home.. which would be ideal for me.. Ive read about a few drs in Alabama that are not that badly priced but after coming across this board and seeing how many people have had this surgery with Dr Aguirre, I feel like even though Id have to go to Mexico to have it done he is more than qualified and probably has done more of these surgeries than drs back in the states.. Me and my boyfriend live together so he knows how much time I am spending on these boards.. I showed him some of the before and after pictures today of some of the people who have had surgery in Mexico and even told him that there are surgeries dating back to 2003 on this board and there are some people who have recently updated their sites and they are still fine.. He is just worried.. He said "thats fine, but Im just afraid you would be the one to have problems".. He just doesnt understand.. I am one who thinks when it is my time to go, it doesnt matter if Im in Mexico or at work or home or wherever.. Im gonna go.. I feel like we all have a destiny and its my destiny to have this done. I think it is so hard for people who are not obese to understand.. So many people think you can just go on a diet and lose the weight.. if it was that easy, Id be thin.. I mentioned wls to my parents and they got very concerned and asked me to talk to my dr about weight loss again.. They just dont understand.. I have decided that I will wait until right before I do this before I say anything else to them about it and I definitely wont tell them until after I get back where Im having it done.. They would freak!! There are soooooooooo many questions.. Ronda I think I will also stay long enough to get he staples and tube out before I return home that way when I come home my life will have begun again.. I am sure that I will be posting many more questions.. and Ronda I would love to talk to you after you have this done .... if you dont mind of course .. This is the most supportive site I have ever seen and am so glad I came across it.

Hi Betty--(and to Ronda--you ARE an angel whether or not you have signed up as one!) This site found me three weeks ago, as I searched for affordable self-pay options...denied by insurance, of course. Out-of-country surgery would have never crossed my mind before that. I can honestly say that the amazing people here, and their openness about their experiences, have answered EVERY one of my questions. I think that my thorough research, and my prayer that God would give my friends and family the same PEACE that I have found about this decision, have won everyone over on the 'going to Mexico' initial hysteria! I guess we all picture riding in a battered ole pickup truck with chicken coops to a run-down room with a lone light bulb swaying in the breeze...at least at first. Even my precious 'Doogie Houser' family doc is on board! I printed and took him all the things mentioned below, and he barely looked at it and said, "I know you're smart and I can see you've done your research. How can I help?" He will do my aftercare, unless there is a surgical issue and I have already found two surgeons if that should come up. One thing that helped my gang was that I e-mailed them all links to Dr. A's website, his patient reviews on here, Cardiomed Hospitals website (which was darn hard to find, but even includes pictures), and the hospital's patient reviews. That seemd to answer all the issues about quality of care. I too will stay until all of my staples and the tube are out. Flying across the whole country before that just did not make sense to me. Even though I work at a HOSPITAL, I have started telling a few people and the couple of nurses I thought would freak have been so supportive! Word may get around but even that will just help me stick to using this tool better afterwards. Like Ronda, I will be happy to tell you about my experience, WHICH IS JUST 19 DAYS AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can ya tell I'm excited? Blessings to all facing this. If I can help, just let me know how. Hugs--Sunny

Sunny.. Can you please email me.. I have a few questions for you.. I tried to click on the link to email you and my computer is messing up.. everytime I click up my computer freezes and then I have to go back in and when I try it again it keeps happening.. but if you email me I can just email you back directly.. Thank you.. I woke up today even more determined than yesterday about my decision in having wls.. I didnt think it was possible.. my boyfriend asked me yesterday if I was going to sit at the computer all day :0) he said that he noticed since I made the decision to myself about wls that I seem like I just want to read all I can about it.. That is so true.. I know that I can read about it till Im blue in the face, but until I have it that wont make a difference.. but I want peace of mind and want to know what I will be in for.. I just wish I had the money to do this now.. we just got back from a once in a lifetime vacation with our kids and his mom and it financially drained us.. so I have to save again.. which isnt a problem.. it will just give me some more time to make sure that this is the right decision for me.. although I already know the answer to that..

Hiya Sunny, thanks for the compliment!!! And Betty no problem, any time you have any questions I can try to answer I will. Of couse Sunny will be having her surgery sooner than me so she can tell you all the juicy stuff about the pain and so on (yeah Sunny only 19 days away, how do you sleep at night!!) I am still about 64 days away, so I have not began the offical count down. I have a lot of stuff to do at work and I still have to purchase my plane ticket. Waiting on my sister to have the money to purchase hers as well. But other than that, I am all set to go. Good luck Betty and it seems like you have a lot of support from your doctors and that is what counts the most. Your family will come around, they are just trying to be like any family would and that is concerned. Good luck and give me an email anytime you like! Ronda

Hello Betty! I too am having surgery on Arpil 19th in Ensenada by Dr. Aguirre. I found so much information on this site to help me with my decision. Kat's website has alot of useful info. You may want to check it out! (http://www)katsjourney.com/ also check out Dr. A's testimonials at this sight, go to the bottom of the page and read everyones posts. There are several...but all informative! http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeon+profile+Alejandro+Aguirre+MD+lcp.html I hope this helps! Tera

Hi Betty! I am one month out tomorrow from my surgery in Mexico with Dr. A. He is the best! As soon as you meet him, you know that you are in very experienced, capable, caring hands. He will answer ALL your questions and put your mind at ease totally. As for how soon you can walk, I would think that depends on how you are now. Lots of people who have their surgeries there and stay in the apartments walk to the park that is 2 blocks away. I didn't, but I had trouble walking far before the surgery. I had terrible hip, back, knee and feet pain. On my 6th day after surgery though, I did go souvenior shopping and ended up staying out 2.5 hours! That surprised both me and my husband! My angel was Cheri Moran who is about 1 year out now. She has a website that is just awesome. Just visit cherimoran.com. Don't forget the wwwdotcom in the front! She has lots of useful information there too! The surgery is no picnic, but it is a **** of a lot easier than living life MO! :-l I am 5'2" and weighed 270. I was on 12 medicines, including diabetes and blood pressure. (I am now off ALL of my meds! )I had all of my tests done here when I was trying for approval. But when I got there, he did an EKG as well. In the emails before the surgery, I had told Rosella what co-morbidities I had and what medications I was on. I also told her my medical and surgical history to put in my file. I would do in again in a New York minute! As for telling other people, that will have to be your decision alone. It is so sad that if a Dr. was here in the states, they automatically assume you will be in great hands. Do they know where their Dr. did his residency? Do they know his mortality rate? The Dr.'s here in the states are not God just because they studied here. I was very comfortable and at peace with my decision. It is like I told Dr. Aguirre during my pre-op visit. "I TRUST GOD, AND I TRUST HIM TO WORK THROUGH YOU FOR ME." He smiled, and said Amen, and Thank you! Genie

I just wanted to thank everyone for their replies and emails. This decision is such a lifechanging decision and at times scarey.. I appreciate everyones comments.. Im sure I will have many questions for everyone I currently have a list that I am compiling of all my questions.. once Im done I will be sure to be contacting you guys.. I have already started a list of ways to save money so I can figure when I will be able to have this done.. I just wish I was able to do it sooner, but it will be worth the wait and Im figuring at the latest I should be able to have by the first of March.. which is 11 months away.. Ive had to deal with my weight and the pain, etc for much longer than that, so to be able to put a timeline with it really makes me feel better.. I am still going to the seminar, I think I had my dates off, its one week from this Thursday so I can at least hear what they have to say.. I should be getting the papers anyday to fill out and give to them so they can get my letter ready for the insurance company.. I am about 99% sure it will be denied, but I want to at least find out for sure before I decide to save this much money.. Again I have decided if I get denied that I wont even fight it.. I dont want to waste my energy on them.. Id rather put it to positive energy and keep on with my plight to have this surgery.. Im not going to let them depress me even further by jumping thru their hoops.. It makes me feel good to read the things I have about Dr Aguirre.. It is true that there isnt a whole lot of information about drs here in the states and so many people put their trust in them without researching.. After learning everything I have so far about Dr A, I feel its a wise decision to go with him.. If he was to move here to the states, many people who say negative things about him would probably say how wonderful he is just based on him being in the states.. which isnt fair.. He sounds like a great dr.. I am so glad I found this website.. You guys are the bomb...