woo woo

I have not yet heard of anyone with a policy exclusion getting surgery paid through insurance. Is it even possible I wonder?

I just wanted to add that maybe you are just not ready to make this decision. That is okay too. It seems like you are very easily swayed and so you might want to just take a step back if you really feel like you can't make a decision and stick with it. I myself wasn't ready three years ago to make this decision when it was first suggested to me, but now I am 100% sure about it. Don't get a band just because your son says so though!! Read up on the band, it's not all exactly what they say it is.

You might consider calling and checking that out. There are several private surgical centers in Texas, which are doctor-owned facilities rather than full-blown hospitals -- this is one of the main reasons that the prices are so much lower than most other states. Another benefit is the fact that there are not a bunch of sick people in them like you get with a regular hospital... Eta: I have also heard several people on this board mention having used a Louisiana doc that was like 8k total for everything. I can't recall the name.

OK found it its http://selfpaysleeve.blogspot.com

It might be dr. Singh in Tomball which is near Houston, but not 100 pct sure... there is a blog floating around that I saw it on, along with a bunch of other self pay prices... I will look for a link, or if anyone else has it maybe they will post it here

It's def silly, you're right!

Hello! I would devote as much time as possible to reading this site, seriously like a couple hours a day if you can. Also, the books I read were the Big Book (already mentioned) as well as "Ultimate Gastric Sleeve Success" which I liked a lot as well and is more post-surgery diet oriented. All in all though I learned 99% of everything I know from reading this site for hours each day for like 2 months. Good luck to you :)

You are being admitted into the hospital or admitted to the ER for treatment? Just wondering, either way I'm glad you are getting medical care.

Congrats and please let us know how it goes!

Yes you want to find shakes with at least 20 grams of protein per serving.

Cardio and diet is your best bet.

I also think that any bariatric program/surgeon's office will verify your insurance for you as well. They know exactly how to do it.

The staples are permanent and are not going anywhere because they are over-stitched with sutures. Plus the stomach is sealed shut with heat (cauterized) at the same time as the staples are inserted, by the same instrument. but your stomach also completely heals and would stay together without them afterthought you are healed. This information is readily available at any reputable place that talks about the sleeve procedure, and your surgeon can explain it to you as well. I don't want you to feel that I am calling you out, but I get concerned that people are not doing enough research on their own. Please don't let people on a web forum make your health-related decisions for you. The band and RNY have staples too. I thought I read somewhere on here that some docs are now using the new poopable staples? :P

Not sure of the prices for those specific docs, but I did find that selfpay in Houston ranges from around 7500 up to around 12k and beyond.

Interesting article. I had to laugh though as I noticed that the author says that she now drinks "only" three cups per day in order to be safe (except during fashion week, which is obvi a hectic time for all of us! lol). Thanks for sharing this.

Not to say that there will be complications, but there always is that chance as we all know. If you had a complication directly from the sleeve, say like a leak for example, my understanding is that insurance will not cover it at all. If there was something separate, such as dehydration, your insurance would cover it as you would be getting treated for dehydration itself which would be considered a separate issue from the surgery. The risk of serious financial repurcussions is what made me decide against using Mexico as an option. Just my preference, I was not comfortable with risking my family's financial future and potentially all of our savings on it. I know many people have been and they are more than happy that they did. I also found a lot of self pay options in the US that were reasonably priced. Some offer a complications insurance and some don't.

Have you looked into Dr. Nick Nicholson in Dallas? If not I suggest at least checking in with them, you might like it better. If you put in a query on the website the coordinator gets back to you very quickly. They are extremely nice there and the hotel room is included with your price (nice plus). I am trying to go through insurance in my state, but have already decided to go with Nicholson if insurance falls through. I originally was thinking about Dr. Kim but the office was not very responsive and was dragging thier feet for like a week just to look at my medical history packet that I had filled out, AND then I also read some very un-flattering things about him online (bedside manner, possibly rude to patients) and so that's when I got in touch with Nicholson's office and loved the service and just overall information and vibe that I got over there. Good luck!! I know how hard it can be to choose a doctor, especially from out of state. ETA: I have no way of knowing if any of what was written online about Dr. Kim is true or not, it's just stuff I read in some online reviews.

Also they look for any areas for you that could present obstacles or pitfalls in the future after the surgery. This is not to keep you from having it, but to help you to be as successful as you can by preparing and planning for those things that might arise. I.e. snacking after work, or stress triggers, etc, just what ever it might be for you in particular.

You described your son as defiant, so I am wondering why you were apologizing to him for his grandmother? In my opinion that will just encourage her to defy her more, as if he has your approval now to do so. I guess I don't get it. As a 13 year old boy, he should be expected do what you and she says to do, period. Especially in this situation where you have just had surgery. Just my thoughts.

If it's a big deal I would suggest a higher end dress shop. They have them in any large city, usually near the fancy part of town. I would ask around the well dressed women in your area to direct you to the right place. I love ann taylor but for something big I think you need to think bigger than the mall maybe. Sounds fun!!

Well this is nasty isn't it? I'm sure everyone who took the time to enter a heartfelt reply will really appreciate it.

Wonderful! Any pics?

Not yet. It's kind of a long haul for me to get up to that area. I would like to go at some point though.

I am trying to focus on learning and internalizing the 4 rules that we are supposed to follow indefinitely post sleeve. I was bummed to learn that there is no Soup whatsoever including chili unless liquid is strained out. Wah. BUT I feel committed and if that's the rule then that is what I will do!

x