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"But, even with all these problems, I am lucky. I have a great job, a very very supportive boyfriend and a great life! Sorry this is post is jumbled, I just needed to get all this out! Feels good to get it out and be able to deal with it!"

@naterbug you have a lot going for you; good job, boyfriend (support), attitude. Stay positive & remember to take one baby-step at a time. Prayers coming your way from Seattle, WA.

IMHO it shouldn't be a matter of speed-to-the-operation-table, but a slow steady process. Everything, or as much as possible, needs to be considered. Weight loss surgery is a big thing in one's life. I think of how many years it took to add/gain all those pounds. Just take things slow & follow a plan. Baby-steps, if you will. I share the anxiousness everyone has.

Good going & good for you

I am having VSG surgery next week with Dr. Garcia in Tijuana. The total price is $5000 which includes two nights in the hospital and two nights in a really nice hotel. Everything is included except your air fair to San Diego. They pick you up at the airport and provide all your transportation while there as well as taking you back to airport for your flight home. I was able to get a personal loan to pay for everything and my payments are low. Maybe this could be another option for you. I wish you the best of luck! I truly believe the sleeve is the best option out there and I hope you can find a way around this. Keep is posted!

I'm so poor, I can't even pay attention!

Thanks for the feedback. I too believe the sleeve to be the best form of weight-loss surgery, but unless I win a lottery, the cards dealt me are RNY or Lap-Band. I was leaning towards the band, but after viewing all the horror stories on YouTube, I have a different perspective.

I would discourage the lap band, especially if you would have to jump through Medicare hoops to have it removed if you had problems.

Thanks @Pookeyism so much for your feedback & suggestions. Going into this, I was really (only) looking at VSG, but without financial support from Medicare, I cannot afford any weight loss surgery out-of-pocket (retired).

I didn't think about what happens if the Lap-Band fails and have to have it removed. Good point!

This is tough. I had a lapband for 6 years. I think it's a great tool IF you look at it as a short term fix - say like a gastric balloon, only with more invasive (but quick & easy) installation.

At the same time, I'd have to be on death's door before I would consider RNY, or have it be the only option left. I'd easily have done DS over it, though DS is far from my first choice.

I assume self pay for the procedure you want (even out of country) is not an option? Perhaps with financing?

Thank you for the feedback. I'm retired & unfortunately my finances are limited so I can ill-afford to self-pay for $30-40,000 surgery out of pocket.

The whole point of seeking WLS is to help with my diabetes, hypertention, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, etc. When I inquired about which would help me the most, the doctor said, without a doubt, the RNY procedure.

So, that's where I'm at. Just gotta work on getting my blood sugars down a wee bit more & all things look like a "GO".

While I think Medicare is right not to cover the sleeve (not trying to be controversial, that's just MHO), I also understand that it can be frustrating not to get the coverage you want. I'd ask about a private plan that would cover it, but really - self paying the procedure would be the cheaper option.

Are you currently pursuing your pre-op requirements in hopes that it will be covered? Or are you just getting the generic stuff out of the way, so that when the time comes you can have a(ny) procedure?

Hi all. Just to update my progress, I spent the better part of 5-hours at Swedish Hospital yesterday (Seattle, WA) going through various introductions to team member, procedures, an EKG, psychiatric evaluation, photos & body measurements, nutritionists & meeting with the doctor (Dr. McMahon). I was impressed with the level of sincerity & knowledge of everyone present.

My first question to the doctor was about Medicare supporting/paying for vertical sleeve surgery and he told me that Medicare does not support it. I even asked if I could participate in a study group (if one was available) and again he said the hospital had no such group & Medicare would not support it. He went on to say that it may be a long time coming before Medicare does pay for VSG, but as of today, they won't.

So, my choices for WLS are whittled down to two options: Lap-Band & Roux-en-Y. After looking over all my medical records, he recommended the RNY procedure for me. I said I had my heart set on VSG surgery, but that I would consider the Lap-Band (Plan: , mostly because it appeared to be the simplest & less invasive. He stated that the RNY procedure is the "Gold Standard" of weight loss surgery & would be the best for me due to my Type-II diabetes & other health problems (sleep apnea, high blood pressure, etc.).

Then I met with one of the head nurses & she quite emphatic about the fact that unless my blood sugar levels were not at 150 or lower for a 2-week period (documented) prior to WLS, the doctor would not operate. My blood test prior to going to the hospital was 176, so needless to say, I'm bummed!

Still have to go back for additional lab tests and an endoscopy to be performed by Dr. McMahon (June 7).

I'll mention your Dad in my prayers tonight. He's a few steps ahead of me in that I'll be visiting my doctor tomorrow morning for the first time.

Welcome aboard Eager12. Will be saying prayers for you on your surgery day. Stay positive. Everything will get better & better :-)

Sending special thoughts your way. God bless & watch over you.

I like your attitude:"On a good note you've lost 24 lbs." Keep up the positives. You're in my prayers.

Good going cmeless. I hope you thoroughly enjoyed the dinner with your wife. The next dinner will be in liquid form. LOL

If I could scrape the money together I would follow in your footsteps. Unfortunately, I'm retired, living on a fixed income & Medicare doesn't offer a lot of solutions for weight loss surgery.

Now if they only had a payment plan....

Congratulations on your surgery & what sounds like a great recovery. It's all in the attitude. Thanks for sharing. I visit my doctor early tomorrow morning for my initial consultation. Just came from my primary care physician's office where I picked up her referral letter. So far, so good. Keep us posted on your progress. God bless.

God bless & watch over you. Please let us know how things go.

Congratulations on a great move. I, like you, decided enough is enough. I want to get back my high school weight. Well, that may be pushing it a bit, but I'm certainly tired of all this extra baggage I've been carrying around for to long.

I get to meet my doctor & his team at Swedish Hospital tomorrow.

51-lbs. in 28-days! WOW, that must be some kind of record. Good going. Checking in with my doctor & his team this Thursday. I've already been approved by Medicare/Aetna. Keep us informed as to your progress & I'll do likewise.

Congratulations on your procedure. Hope all works out for you. Hang in there.

Good luck & you'll be in my prayers. Let us know the outcome.

Kristi, tell your Dad, congratulations from me. Good for him. I wish him the best of luck & I'll say a prayer for him. My initial consultation is this Thursday & I'm already nervous just thinking about it.

Hi there Knee2010. Is that an Electra Glide or read King in your avi? If you & your significant other ride Harleys, you're on my A-list already. That's all I ride. Been riding 'em for years.

Welcome to Vertical Sleeve. Nice to have someone on the west coast, and in the same time zone. By the time I break out my tablet to respond to comments/questions, the east coasters are going to sleep.

I have my initial meeting with my doctor this coming Thursday. I'very already been approved for weight loss surgery by Medicare/Aetna.

Furby036, don't think about the pain & such. That only puts negative vibes into your system. Be positive and think if all the great things that lay in front of you: shopping for new clothes, and what girl doesn't want t go shopping for new clothes?

Say a prayer & ask the good Lord to help you through this. He will.

Will do Nina88. I'll keep everyone up to date as to what happens after the 17th.

I'm hoping to get an appointment as early as possible (within the next month or so?). When I go home too Hawaii & visit all my old police buddies, they're going to be shocked! I'll say an extra prayer for you on June 4th. You'll do just fine.

You should've taken the appointment in May. That way you'd be ready for any 4th. of July BBQ's. Just joking. LOL. Best of luck to you. You're on your way!