Hello,
I am new here also, just found this site a few days ago. I am also self pay, having the surgery done in S. California at a well know medical center.
https://lomalindahealth.org/medical-center/our-services/metabolic-and-bariatric-surgery/index.html
This is a new program, will be a year old in August. Because it is new, it does not have a Center of Excellance rating until they meet all of the qualifications. Medicare will not pay for the surgery unless it is done at a Center of Excellence, and I did not want to wait another 9-12 months, so that is why I am self pay. My surgeon has a lot of experience,at other locations before being named director of the program, but that cannot be included in the number of completed procedures.
I am the caregiver for my husband who has a rare brain disease, and I need to keep this as simple as possible. That is one of the reason I eliminated the Lap Band....I do not have time to be going for fills, and other maintence on the band. The sleeve will be perfect for me. I have osteopenia in my left hip, so not having malabsorption is important to me.
I would have had to travel a distance to another location that does the sleeve. Some of the local centers will not operate on anyone over 60-65, and I am having the surgery nine days before my 70th Birthday, my birthday gift to me this year :001_tt2:
I am excited, and looking forward to my new life much smaller. I recently finished the 12 weeks of classses, and during that time lowered my BMI from 40.3 to 38 with some pounds lost. I am not required to do a pre surgery diet of only liquids, which I have found really varies from surgeon to surgeon.
:party4:Doing the happy dance!
Just call me Birthday Girl!