I have been reading your thread and I hope that you are able to get to a good place. I had the Vertical Sleeve in July 2010, I was 382 and lost down to 308 and have slowly gained back to 337. The problem I find with this procedure is that there are no restrictions as far as what you can and cannot digest, the only restriction is the amount at one time. Had I known this in the beginning, I would have opted for the bypass because I know I would have reached my goal by now. The procedure itself was free of complications for me and I healed fairly quickly but the psychological affects are a lot on me because I felt like I lost control and lost the battle with this weight issue too soon. I have not been back to the doctor in over a year, but I am having some upper abdominal(rib cage area) problems now and I am going to get an appointment as soon as possible to make sure everything is ok in there.

I just wish there was more focus on the mental/emotional factors prior to the surgery, not just the required clearance, but mandatory sessions beforehand.

Best of luck to everyone and I look forward to regaining the initial momentum I had and seeing my goal come to fruition!  HAPPY SUMMER everybody

Hi Effini, Been awhile since I wrote. Hope you are doing good. I was approved for a consultation with my doctor....they overturned that part of the denial, so that is good news. Will keep you posted. Do you have any idea if the sleeve is better than the RNY or do you have any preference? Am trying to figure out which might be best if I do get approved.

Thanks and hope you are well. 

I am scheduled for surgery with him on Aug. 2. I have full confidence that he is more than capable as a surgeon. I have read many testimonials about him and talked to some of his patients. ALL have great things to say about him and his staff.  You can call Susan and speak with her and ask questions anytime.

Remember to Look Forward ... It's important to remember where you've been so that you can make choices that move you forward toward your goals.

 Hello:) Can anyone help me with my decision. I have read extensively about Dr. Aceves' success and the accomplishments his patients have had, much less for Dr. Ortiz. Somewhere on this site, someone says that Dr. Ortiz is newer to the VSG and has more practice with lap band being that he proctored many US doctors on the procedure and was selected by the manufacturer to do so. I also read that Dr. Ortiz has been on shows such as Oprah and The Doctors as well as being name top 15 bariatric surgeons by newsweek some time ago. But on another site, this is just broken down to his practice having really excellent public relations and marketing. The cost doesn't really matter all that much to me. Many of the quotes I have been reading were in the 5000s. 

I left messages for Dr. Ortiz's office several times and no one has called me back. I also put down my information under their "contact us" tab on their website. That was about 3-4 days ago. Only today did I get an email from his patient coordinator; it is not very personal and I would have preferred a phone call. What I really like, however, is that Dr. Ortiz and his facility were given the Center of Excellence accreditation and that he practices both in the US and in Mexicali.

I don't think I will get approved by Anthem because my BMI is not >40; my BMI is 38 and I guess my only co-morbidity, whether they believe this to be one or not, is depression. I'm not going to be approved for financing with my credit. 

Can I please get more info on your experience, price, whether or not you came with someone and how was their experience, etc with either doctor. I really appreciate this.