Self pay and complications

IL_Pamela
on 5/11/12 2:04 am - Des Plaines, IL

There seem to be about a dozen or so surgeons in Tijuana. I haven't narrowed it down yet. I have been reading the posts but haven't inquired directly with any doctor yet to get costs or any details on their complication rates. I am open to other areas of Mexico too - nothing has been ruled out. The only thing I have pretty much decided is I will be going with the sleeve due to less possible complications vs. the DS or RNY and being a self-pay that is a big factor. I commend you working two jobs! I don't have the energy to do that and there is the whole discrimination thing when you apply for jobs. I hope to be able to work a second job once I become healthy! I want to work more and to be able to save towards old age and someday owning some type of home. All my goals are built off of this first step. Exciting but scary. Thank God for this site and the wonderful, encouraging people here!

jarabacoagirl
on 5/11/12 2:19 am

VSG on 12/17/12

Just make sure to do your research on Mexico. I have heard good and bad about the Doctors in Tijuana. Dr Aceves and Dr Alvarez seem to have the best reviews and the most experience. There's hundreds and hundreds of excellent reviews on both of them. I did catch a 2 bad reviews on Alvarez and 1 bad review on Aceves but they are human and have done the most sleeves of any other in Mexico no one is perfect. But compared to all the other doctors I've read about they seem to have the best rep. They are both more expensive than the doctors in Tijuana but according to the reviews they are worth it. FYI a lot of post op patients are always willing to talk about there expierence via phone. I spoke to several references on both docs.
Also Dr Joya is cheaper. Not a lot of reviews on him but what is there seems to be possitive. Here's my research from the last 6 months. Hope this helps ya! Funny thing is now I'm going local. lol :-)

HW 302 lbs. SW 279.8 lbs. CW 193.8 lbs MFP Jarabacoagirl Preop diets 22.2 lbs, 1st month 21.2 lbs, 2nd month 14.6 lbs, 3rd month 11.2 lbs, 4th month 7 lbs, 5th month 7 lbs, 6th month 6.8 lbs, 7th month 5.2 lbs, 8th month 4.4 lbs 9 and 10th months slowed down didn't record exactly

108.2 lbs lost from highest weight!

(86.2 lbs of that was lost since surgery date)

jarabacoagirl
on 5/11/12 1:00 am

VSG on 12/17/12

Also that's a good idea to stay extra days in San Diego or Mexico. That's what I was going to do if I did decide on Mexico.

HW 302 lbs. SW 279.8 lbs. CW 193.8 lbs MFP Jarabacoagirl Preop diets 22.2 lbs, 1st month 21.2 lbs, 2nd month 14.6 lbs, 3rd month 11.2 lbs, 4th month 7 lbs, 5th month 7 lbs, 6th month 6.8 lbs, 7th month 5.2 lbs, 8th month 4.4 lbs 9 and 10th months slowed down didn't record exactly

108.2 lbs lost from highest weight!

(86.2 lbs of that was lost since surgery date)

happiegirl
on 5/11/12 1:21 am - Albuquerque, NM

VSG on 04/24/12

It really depends on the condition. Like if you went to the ER for dehydration that would be covered as an emergency visit. On the complications side of it well if you have a leak your going to have to pay for it. It depends on how they code your visit at the hospital. Ask your doctor for his stats on complications. My doctor has a rate of .03% for leaks...that's way lower than average. If your going with someone with experience...complications are much less likely. So not a real big risk...but yes it's possible to have to pay for complications. I'm not sure of the laws in Mexico but doctors in the US must treat you in cases of life threatening complications or pain. This has nothing to do with your ability to pay.

HW: 351 Pre-op: 272 Current: 140.7 Goal:160 M1:14 M2:14 M3:11 M4:10 M5:10 M6:12 M7:8 M8:6 M9: 6 M10:7 M11: 6 M12: 4 M13: 5 M14:7 M15: 4 M16: 3 M17: 1 M18: 4

"Glory lies in the attempt to reach one's goal and not in reaching it." - Gandhi

roger1955
on 5/11/12 1:32 am - TN

I was self pay for a VSG in January. The hospital I used (Centennial in Nashville, TN) offered a separate insurance policy for post op complication treatment needs. Because of age and diabetes I took the highest coverage level for everything which added about $2000 to the cost. Thankfully I have had zero issues, haven't even thrown up, but having that as a backstop made me a lot more comfortable. Enquire with your surgeon and hospital to see if the offer something like this.

Best wishes,
Roger

jarabacoagirl
on 5/11/12 1:45 am

VSG on 12/17/12

Good advice Roger. Thanks. I called the billing dept at the hopital waiting for them to get back to me.

HW 302 lbs. SW 279.8 lbs. CW 193.8 lbs MFP Jarabacoagirl Preop diets 22.2 lbs, 1st month 21.2 lbs, 2nd month 14.6 lbs, 3rd month 11.2 lbs, 4th month 7 lbs, 5th month 7 lbs, 6th month 6.8 lbs, 7th month 5.2 lbs, 8th month 4.4 lbs 9 and 10th months slowed down didn't record exactly

108.2 lbs lost from highest weight!

(86.2 lbs of that was lost since surgery date)

(deactivated member)
on 5/11/12 1:32 am, edited 5/11/12 1:34 am - Thousand Oaks California, CA

VSG on 05/10/08 with

Complication almost never happen. Don't worry about that.

jarabacoagirl
on 5/11/12 1:44 am

VSG on 12/17/12

It's better to be safe than sorry. I have seen serveral poster on this forum who had leaks. When a person gets a leak it can require 3 to 4 month hospitalization on a IV no food by mouth. It is nothing to ignore. Leak rate is average 1 to 3 percent. It is not something to say it's never going to happen. I want to be prepared.

HW 302 lbs. SW 279.8 lbs. CW 193.8 lbs MFP Jarabacoagirl Preop diets 22.2 lbs, 1st month 21.2 lbs, 2nd month 14.6 lbs, 3rd month 11.2 lbs, 4th month 7 lbs, 5th month 7 lbs, 6th month 6.8 lbs, 7th month 5.2 lbs, 8th month 4.4 lbs 9 and 10th months slowed down didn't record exactly

108.2 lbs lost from highest weight!

(86.2 lbs of that was lost since surgery date)

IL_Pamela
on 5/11/12 1:54 am - Des Plaines, IL

Yikes! That is my biggest fear - a leak down the road. I know they do 2-3 leak tests after surgery but I hope nothing develops after discharge. Someone told me on here that if you pass the three month mark with no leaks, it is highly unlikely you will develop them ever. I could worry myself into never having the surgery - I have decided to take a leap of faith and just do it. I am the most risk adverse person I know but I cannot live like this anymore so I have to just trust it will all work out. I need to reclaim my life and not be a prisoner of my body/mind anymore.

jarabacoagirl
on 5/11/12 2:03 am

VSG on 12/17/12

The risks of obesity are far worse than the leak rate.
This is what I heard about the leak rate.
90% of leaks happen within 48 hours
95% happen within the first 10 to 14 days.
99.9% happen withing the first 6 months.
Very very rare after that.
Leak rate is 1 to 3 %. 3% lapband to sleeve
Virgin sleeve 1% so your chance of a leak is 1 out 100 for a virgin sleeve.
Your chance of having a leak should up later than 6 months is like 1 in 1 million. (not likely)
I think both Dr As leak rate is only 1 in 300. Your odds are definitely for you for either of them. :-)
My local doctors' rate is less than 1% but not as good as the Doctor As. So in some ways I still see the advantage of going to Mexico. Plus my local doctor has only don 300 VSG. Where as the guys in Mexico have done a ton or two tons.

HW 302 lbs. SW 279.8 lbs. CW 193.8 lbs MFP Jarabacoagirl Preop diets 22.2 lbs, 1st month 21.2 lbs, 2nd month 14.6 lbs, 3rd month 11.2 lbs, 4th month 7 lbs, 5th month 7 lbs, 6th month 6.8 lbs, 7th month 5.2 lbs, 8th month 4.4 lbs 9 and 10th months slowed down didn't record exactly

108.2 lbs lost from highest weight!

(86.2 lbs of that was lost since surgery date)

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Self pay and complications