snoah

After more than 2 years of wanting & attempting to save money to travel to Mexico for the vsg surgery I now have insurance that covers the surgery!! I am excited beyond belief but I don't know where to start. What do I need to do to get the ball rolling? I want to have the surgery hopefully within 6 months. Anyone have any suggestions, tips, etc?? I could really use the help. Thanks in advance!

I would love to hear from some of his patients. Looking into going to him at the end of April.. I want to hear the good and the bad..Thanks!!

Has anyone had their surgery with Dr. Alvarez? If so, what was the cost? And how was your experience? Thanks!

If you don't mind me asking - what made you want to change from Dr. Garcia to Dr. Kelly? I'm currently trying to decide on a surgeon myself. Thanks!

Ok, so I found out today that my new health insurance through work does not cover WLS. So I will be going to Mexico at the end of April. So I need suggestions for surgeons & Dr. Ramos Kelly is not an option. So if anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear them. Thanks!

Thank you all for your responses. As far as Dr. Kelly is concerned I was told by a coordinator that they are not referring people to Dr. Kelly anymore. She didn't go into details but just said that they found out something very wrong and could not in good conscience refer anyone else to him. I don't know what happened and I'm in no way trying to speak bad about Dr. Kelly. I just have to trust my coordinator and the research that I'm doing for the doctor that I feel that is right for me.

Thank you all for the responses. I've been hearing nothing but good things about him. @5DogMa - That would be awesome! I'll definitely be PM'ing you to find out about your experience. Thanks so much!!

Ok, so I have been on this site since the middle of last year, I think. Anyway, I started researching VSG last year & decided that it is the way to go for me. My former employer's insurance did not cover any bariatric surgery & self pay was out of the question for me. As of right now, I do not have health insurance but I start a new job on 1/2/12 and am hoping that this company's insurance does cover the VSG. It is a large company over many states (Kindred Healthcare) and I believe that my insurance will be through United Healthcare. Anyway, one of my questions is can my referral for surgery come from my OBGYN? I haven't been to a PCP in almost 3 years because I haven't been sick or needed to go. I have talked about weight loss with my OBGYN & she even prescribed Phentermine for 3 months to help me kick start the weight loss (which did not work). I'm trying to get a head start on everything that I will need if the surgery is covered. Any information or help regarding this would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for such a long post.. Thanks!

Catie - thank you so much for your information! It just goes to show how little about health insurance. I emailed the coordinator that I've been talking to since I've been hired & she said that the company is changing insurance with the new year & they haven't received their new cards yet & she wasn't sure company it would be. I haven't emailed anyone in HR but I start on Monday so I can try & wait until then to find out who the insurance is with. I do know that my insurance will not start until March 1st so I still have a little time to figure everything out. I don't know if it matters regarding the size of the company to whether they choose self insured or fully insured but it is a large medical company over 3 states. I'm hoping that since it is a rehab company that they do cover the WLS since they are in the business of improving quality of life. I know all I can do is be paitient but I have wanted this for so long and for so long I just kept hitting walls - so I'm really hoping my luck is changing..

All of this information is great - thank you everyone! I have actually found a doctor today that has been recommended by 3 people that have all had the VSG done. As soon as my insurance kicks in I'm making the appointment. I can't wait to get the process started!!

And by "is for weight loss surgery" I mean one that agrees with it..

Ok, so I haven't been to a pcp in years & the one I last went to is very "old school". Someone on this site suggested that I find a pcp that is for weight loss surgery. Now I know I can call around and ask but of there is anyone on here from Memphis that could suggest a good pcp I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!!

@jasleeve - you didn't scare me. Its good for me to hear everything do I can be prepared. Thank you everyone for all of the information! January 2nd can't get here fast enough so I can find out about the insurance!!

OMG.. I really hope that I do not have to wait another year. That would devastate me. Thank you for the information! As soon as my new insurance starts I will make an appointment with him. Thanks again!

I'm in Memphis, TN - not sure how far that is from you. Have you already had the surgery or looking into it? I myself want to get the surgery but keep hitting brick walls. Anyway, welcome! I have found this place to be very supportive.

Ok thanks. Have a good day!

I was just wondering, is your plan through work or is it an individual plan?

It's so awesome to know that there is a fellow Memphian on this site! Congrats on your surgery! I'm in the process of scheduling my surgery for the 2nd week of June. If you don't mind me asking did you have your surgery in the States or did you have to travel abroad?

Ok, so I'm finally at the point where I can schedule a surgery dare (yay!!). Now I just need to decide on a doctor. I've heard good things about both Dr. Almanza & Dr. Kelly but I'm so torn. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

*date not dare

Thank you so much for all of the information! As I have more questions I'll definitely be sending you a PM! Thanks again!!!

That's fantastic that you are doing well!! I'm in the process of trying to get the sleeve done with Dr. Kelly. How was your experience planning everything through Sandy? I keep hearing to go straight to Trish but I was just curious. Hope you have a fantastic recovery and get to go home soon. One last thing, I'd really like to know how long they keep you before discharging you to go home. Thanks!!

Hi, I'm considering Dr. Almanza for getting sleeved. Would you please email me at snoah@comcast.net and tell me about your experience? Thanks, Sherri

Which plan of either Aetna or United covers the surgery for the sleeve? I'm getting so discouraged, I don't feel like I'll ever be able to get this weight off of me.

I have found out that my policy does not cover the gastric sleeve surgery. But I'm wondering if my doctor were to write a letter to the insurance company on my behalf explaining my health issues, etc if that would make any difference? I need all of the help/information I can get.