rducharme

To start my countdown to a May 28 date with Dr Aceves. I did something today I know I will NEVER be able to do again, and I will miss it (although I only do it a couple times a year). That being ALL U CAN EAT BABYBACK RIB night at my local BQ joint. I can cross the 5* Vegas buffets off my future also. It just wouldn't be economic to pay that much and eat so little. The ribs were GREAT, fall off the bone and juicy. But alas, I know I need to "get my weight under MY control" (less 100lbs is my goal) and getting "sleeved" is part of a PLAN to live healthier and LONGER. I just hope I don't get hit by a Mexican bus when I cross back over the border. In truth, the reason I picked the "sleeve" besides it's advancements in surgery over past techniques ? Is that it does allow you to eat NORMAL food, and live a NORMAL life AFTER you reach your goal.. You can got out (or at least I will be able to a year out) with friends and EAT. You just have to split a beer and nibble at a couple of chicken wings. But at least I CAN (or will be able to eventually).

I didn't think about that ? Might have to let it go flat ?

Because I live in south Florida (WPB). My first instinct was go to cancun, which is a non-stop flight. But believe it or not ? The air fares to San Diego, or in my case Mesa, AZ (Spirit Airlines) was enough cheaper to make me change plans. And since my wife and I are considering a major move to Northern AZ (Prescott / Flagstaff ) I decided to combine my surgery with a scouting trip. Mexicali (and Dr Aceves ) is approx. a 1/2 day drive from Prescott. A major reason for moving to AZ is to be that close to the border medical / dental centers. So choosing Dr Aceves fit into my plans very nicely. I really learned later that he is so highly regarded.

I paid $460 for Ft. Lauderdale to Mesa, AZ on Spirit. And that included my $25 baggage fee (each way) and $50 fee (each way) for the business sized seat in econo section. Total $460 But remember I am going to drive to CalMex and cross the border there. Also be sure to DOUBLE that since my wife is coming also. Not chump change ? But I am paying $8,750 to have VSG with Dr Aceves.. So basically another Grand for air fare, but we are going to have car rental and hotel expenses associated with our real estate "looking" around Prescott. Still compare that with the "self-pay" cost in the USA plus all the BS that goes with it.

this is all of our greatest fears http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/04/24/man-reportedly-kicked-off-southwest-flight-for-being-overweight/?test=latestnews I feel "relieved" that I booked the "oversize" seats

You have to be "trained" to work at SubWay ? Now that is scary !!

I tried to anticipate this "problem" when I made my travel plans. I live in west palm beach, and have scheduled VSG w/ Dr Aceves on May 28 in Mexicali. SPIRIT Airlines (and some others) now offer a few "business sized seats" (2 per row) in their econo sections. Obviously you pay a bit more ($100 each way) for these seats. Since I wanted to do some post-op real estate investigating around Prescott AZ. I flew Ft. Lauderdale to Meza AZ (on Spirit) and will drive the 4 hrs to Calimex and cross the boarder there. After my surgery (during recovery) I intend to visit the www.tridipanel.com.mx industrial factory (where they make the panels). After my post-op release I plan to drive back, spend a few days looking at Prescott / Flagstaff before sitting my fat ass in a "business size" seat and flying back to Florida. I think the "worry" relief of NOT having to deal with seat-belt issues or the even worse problem of being charged "double seating" makes the advanced purchase of the over-sized seats worth the extra cost. And certainly will make the flight back more comfortable. Hell, even after I hit my "goal weight" (225lbs) I might still book the econo business seats when I can. IMHO spending $200 extra is a stress busting benefit.

I guess I picked one of the higher cost surgeons (Dr Aceves $8,750). And while I am not saying that saving 2 or 3 $thousands$ is not worth considering ? In my case everything sort of "washed" when I factored in some other considerations. My original plan was a surgeon in Cancun because I could fly non-stop from south FL (approx. 2.5 hrs) But the air fare to Cancun was MORE than the air fare to San Diego. Or in my case Meza AZ using SPIRIT (booked business class seats in their econo section) . Also my wife and I wanted to combine this trip with some real estate searching near Prescott AZ. I have concluded that given the declining future of Medi-Care and the over all increasing cost of medical care PERIOD ?? The smart decision is to locate yourself within a 1/2 day drive of one of the boarder medical tourism centers. I even considered seriously MOVING to MX (maybe PV). But the housing I would consider (buy/rent) was not so different than here. But mostly I concluded I could NOT survive on a steady diet of Telenovellas. I need my TRUE BLOOD !! And also The Borgias and Game of Thrones. Plus there are other considerations such as our 100 lb lab (Charlie) that needed to be considered. So looking at a map, and eliminating the extreme heat of Phenoix and the coastal congestion of San Diego ? It seemed that Prescott or Flagstaff were the most logical places. So to make this long story short... I could have picked a cheaper surgeon than Dr Aceves ? But I was able to "package" this surgery with a post-op real estate scouting trip. My biggest worry is how well I will be feeling post-op ? so I will be able to drive and look at some homes and land near Prescott ? all before driving back to Meza and sitting my fat ass into a business size seat and flying back to the heat & humidity of West Palm Beach. Oh by the way, my VGS is scheduled with Dr Aceves on May 28th. Any others ?

this is what we all worry about (be honest) What if the plane is fully booked ? Where are they going to find YOU the extra seat ? http://www.nbcnews.com/travel/u-s-fliers-believe-obese-should-buy-second-seat-1C9511172

You might want to check if your airline has a limited number of "business class" seats available in their econo section. I am flying SPIRIT, and they have a few seats (usually at the front of econo). You have to pay extra each way (like $100) But it eliminates the worry, and makes the post-op flight much more comfortable. Also you get to board first.

For those of you having surgery by Dr Aceves ? Here is something you can do during your post-op recovery. If you have any dreams to build your own house "someday" ? Then you definitely need to consider trdipanel construction, which are convienently manufactured in Mexicali. If you don't use these panels ? then you are just building a new house with old technology. Figure $200 barrel oil someday and you quickly see the advantage. Visit www.tridipanel.com.mx and be sure to click on technical information where you can click on the video presentation. If you are serious you can contact juan who is the general manager and architect. As I have said, I intend to do some real estate scouting post-op around Flagstaff / Prescott, AZ. There are lots of medical "unknowns" in our futures ? and given the sorry condition of our medical system ? living a 1/2 day drive of the border appeals to me. For those of you counting on Medi-Care to cover your future ? good luck !!

I forgot to include that Flagstaff is @ 7,000 ft and Prescott is @ 5,000 ft which accounts for the milder temps compared to Phenoix. I used to live in Vail, CO and the high mountain desert. The stars are so close you can touch them. NO way I could handle 115 degrees, but when you head up into the mountains it gets much better. But the true reason I am looking at northern AZ is that I can drive to the border in a 1/2 day for any minor medical/dental problems. I can even drive there to get a dent fixed in my car. Many of those things that you can't believe HOW much they cost in The USA. Really I am just trying to plan for the future. Options, options, options.

There ain't no such thing as 115 "DRY" heat. If you can't sit on your car seats without 2nd degree burns it is HOT. Also, I am not just interested in moving to be close to my WLS, I am pretty convinced Medi-Care is going to be VERY different VERY soon. I would rather have a option to "self-pay" on most non-emergency cases, and do insure me for the catastrophic (cancer, transplants, etc) Also, remember Medi-Care pays NOTHING for any dental procedures. Normally San Diego would be perfect, but between the HIGH taxes, HIGH housing costs, plus the dismal financial shape the entire state of Calif is in ? Toss in the earthquake probability and rising sea level ? Well then you are "California Dreaming". I am NOT convinced that even staying in the USA is very smart ? However Medi-Care has been promised to remain "relatively" un-changed for ME (not my younger wife)plus fortunately I will NOT be depending on Soc Sec to survive. So living within a 4 hr drive of the boarder protects me as best I can. However IF I spoke Spanish there is no question I would be looking at PV or Cabo. The SS United States is sinking 1mm/day, Not so fast that most people notice ? but you at least need to hang out close to the lifeboat stations.

Personally I am flying from Ft Lauderdale to Mesa, AZ via SPIRIT and then driving to the border (Dr Aceves).. One good thing to know is that SPIRIT now has a FEW (4 to 6) business size seats in their economy class sections. How many depends on the model of plane. You have to pay more of course, but at least you eliminate the very real worry that you are going to be "pulled aside" and be asked to pay for two seats. Some of the other airlines are starting to offer this option also (you need to check with your airline). After post-op I intend to drive back with my wife and spend a few days looking at real estate around Prescott, AZ as a possible place to move. And then back on the plane and back to West Palm Beach.

I will be flying in from West Palm Beach to Mesa AZ on May 26 and driving to the border. Not as nervous as I am excited. I want to lose 100lbs and I was NEVER going to achieve that by dieting. Is anyone else going to have surgery with Dr. Aceves at that time ?