AStephenson

Did you figure out which Dr.Ortiz it was? If it's Ariel Ortiz I was going to blow a gasket, I just sent in my non-refundable deposit for a higher priced surgery!!

I asked the coordinator thru ready4achange and she told me, yes..the hotel will provide you with complimentary popsicles, broth, and water or juice. It would be a surprise if someone went counting on that and it wasn't true...

Rich Dark chocolate is my fave! Get them at Walmart in a four-pack for around $4.00

I hope so!! It is one of my current issues as well...I was embarrassed but asked my patient coordinator if i would be able to wear panties after surgery (and pad) otherwise I would be leaving puddles around like a new puppy!!

I'm going for the "shock and awe" response....a casual "yeah, I had 80% of my stomach whacked off to stop me from killing myself with food" and then walk away...I've only told my immediate family so far that i'm going to have it done. If I were in your shoes, I'd feel the same way....I hate trying to hide things from people. If it's someone I respected and admired that much, I personally wouldn't be able to keep up the charade. I'd have to clear the air...that's just me. That being said, it's hard to justify WLS surgery to someone who has never had a problem with eating/weight, they just don't get it. Hope you can find some resolution, the road to regaining health is hard enough without worrying about every joker who wants to detour you along the way. Take care!

Whoa! You rock! Great job

I'm going to self pay for my surgery (heading to Mexico) and just found out today my insurance wont pay for ANY of my aftercare either (anything bariatric excluded from my policy). I called my local laboratory just to get some idea of what I would be looking at for my followup blood tests. OMFG!!! Almost A $1000 for only HALF of the tests I've seen people list!!! After scraping and saving just to be able to afford my surgery, I'm just sick with the idea I'll have that to deal with afterward, for the rest of my life!! Not to mention if there are any complications, I'll be in debtors jail for pete's sake!! Has anyone just done a "bare minimum" of blood tests?? If so, what did you have checked?? I'm reeling from this newfound information and severely doubting if I should have the surgery at all!! Please, can anyone offer advice on this?

Sounds like you have really turned things around and are moving forward instead of holding yourself back....way to go! Stay positive...and keep on trucking!

I think that's a normal feeling..I'm going through it myself even though Im not looking at surgery until January. I'm constantly going back and forth, have days where I'm super excited and days where it just doesn't set well with me. Yes, I am a woman..and yes I am fickle!! I am trying to focus on the positive but still want to be mentally prepared for anything not so good that could come my way. The fear of the unknown is the hardest fear for many of us and only hope and faith and having as much knowledge as we can going in will get us through to the other side. Keep reading/posting and know that you are stronger than you think...you can do it!

Thanks for commenting everyone, I hope I'm stroking out for no reason! My PCP did assure me he would do my follow up,it's just that I called my insurance today (I'm trying put together ALL the pieces for my surgery) to see if they would pay for the visits after surgery, thinking my tests would be bariatric specific, i.e. not the norm...and of course I was told NO!! Errrrg! Hearing that they are part of a normal physical makes me feel so much better and more hopeful that they will be covered.....stroke averted!! LOL

Thanks Karen for the info...just seems a little strange when you try to look at other folks' negative experiences and they seem to have disappeared!

Thanks for the info...I'll definitely be trying stuff out, it's great to know you can return if you don't like it. Only drawback for me would be the closest store is about an hour and a half away so to make my trip worthwhile I'll be sampling and mixing up shots out of the back of my car in the parking lot!

I'll be "stalking" this post as well! LOL

Isn't it wonderful to find all your stress and worry was for nothing? Great to hear you are doing so well, I hope to have such an easy time after my surgery! Take care

Yay! Best of luck, I can't wait to be on the other side as well!

What the Bean said!! LOL

Best of luck to you!

Can't find this content! Anyone else having troubles?

LMAO!! Too funny...thanks for the laugh!

My patient coordinator told me it would be $450 extra with Dr. Lopez. I am planning on having the extra funds in my bank account, if needed, and use my debit card. She assures me my card will work across the border due to the fact that their bank is US based. Good luck with your upcoming date!

Hope you are doing well Amber..looking forward to hearing about your experience!

Has anyone used their flexible spending account to pay for surgery in Mexico? Any red tape or hoops to jump through? What surgeon did you use?? My account re-ups Jan. 1st and I'd like to use it for my surgery but so far my patient coordinator with Dr. Lopez hasn't got back with me about it. I hope she's researching it, and will get back with good news! Thanks!

Thanks for the responses, I did call my plan administrator and they told me it didn't matter where I had my surgery it was a qualified expense. They did recommend for me to have a letter of medical necessity and medical records in case the IRS wanted to make sure it was. Also noted the surgery needed to be in US dollars, and the bank needed to be US based if wanted to use the visa debit card. I was so excited, and my patient coordinator confirmed it should go through, but I plan on "testing" it prior to my actual surgery with a small charge just to be 100% sure it will go through.

Thank you webchickadee!! I am an asthmatic as well and have high hopes I will be able to reduce or eliminate my asthma medication. Surgery scheduled in Jan. 2013..new year, new me!