HuntingGunDogs

Hello to all and I am so glad I found this site. I am getting kind of scared. I have been overweight alot of my life and 38% BMI now at 5'7", 245 pounds. I am retired from my lifes work at 50 but this weight is really getting me down for my second job and passion I have now been successfully DENIED by Blue Cross for this surgery Roux en Y as I guess my knees and not being able to walk is not important to them Appeals denied and miserable as ever, I heard of the Mexico option. I researched alot, chatted with some locals that went to MEXICO for the Gastric Plication and found Obesity Control Center online. Dr Ortiz. I found the patient advocate to be WONDERFUL, CAROLYN WILLIAMSON and the AM I was finally denied AGAIN by Blue Cross, I got on the phone with Carolyn and set a surgery date of Dec 27, 2011 I had to get a passport and that was the best date after all is said and done here to meet so Dec 27, 2011 it is. I am glad I went thru all the PRE OP stuff in the states with the Bariatric clinic I was set up with so I have all the medical records to take with. I was hoping to hear some words of wisdom from anyone out there that have gone to OCC in MEXICO and used Dr Ortiz for the Plication My Biggest fear is the sutures coming undone after procedure..... What do I expect when there? What about security of my items when I am in surgery and travel in MEXICO? Any comments for the world on this stuff??

I will email U but not sure if waiting to book a flight last minute is the best Right now, fares are the lowest U will see for a time per all that is out on them I am booking a flight in APRIL and the rates are really good Not sure where U live, etc Also not sure if U are going to OCC and what kind of surgery U are getting so all I can tell U is what I was told at OCC and my Local Dr that did my RNY Both are centers of excellence for bariatrics and each have a different plan It is also based On UR pro op weight S

January 24, 2012, my best good friend in AZ went with her Sister to OCC in Mexico. Both had the GASTRIC PLICATION. I transfered my $500 deposit to Cindy as I was able and I went forward with RNY Dec 19, 2011 in the States BOTH report OCC was 5 star. GREAT Dr's, Care, Conditions, Follow up. The hotel was EXCEPTIONAL. I think the OCC was rated well and is the best as reported S

My surgery was Dec 19, 2011 for the RNY from Western Bariatrics in RENO NV. They do the Plication but I was originally set for RNY so I stayed with it when my appeal was granted S

I am very sorry not to have gotten info out Dec 20, 2011. Today is Jan 29, 2012 and I had RNY Bypass in the USA as I WON MY APPEAL for BLUE CROSS in the USA. Had the surgery in RENO NV at Renoun med center. 5 star experience. Was 247 at my heaviest and as of this AM, broke 200 and weighed in at 198! I am having food sticking issues and cannot eat all the stuff on my diet plan. I have a new treadmill and am on it daily Knees feel great I am now shopping for a plastic surgeon to nip and tuck in 50 more pound loss I COULD NOT LOGG INTO THIS SIGHT and was FRUSTRATED as I got a new computer. Hope all out there are doing well 2 of my friends went to OCC on JAN 24 and had the plication Both loved it and said 5 star experience as well!! S

Well, Dec 19, 2011 was the Surgery date for the RNY and not SLEEVE Blue Cross Appeal came thru, I cancelled the OCC in Mexico and went forward with the SURGERY Roux en Y in RENO NEVADA with Dr Ganser. Today is the 28th of DEC and I have lost alot of pounds so far Eating is different but overall, not out of the normal from what I expected I go to the DR tommarrow for my post op appt The hospital was 5 STAR and I was jazzed thru all the process. Woke up after surgery last MON and a dozen RED roses were at my bedside from my husband Brian Life is good so far. S

I have asked for help with all the GSD info for OCC in Mexico set for DEC 27, 2011 SURGERY. I was DENIED in the USA by BLUE CROSS as I am only, get this only, UGH, BMI of 38% I appealed the HELL out of the denial and my DR's also helped with GREAT letters. APPEAL APPROVAL for USA Roux en Y bypass surgery APPROVED as of TODAY I am now scared. REALLY scared Please all, tell me what U think of this surgery for weight loss. HELP me, HELP me, HELP me. All info will be GREATLY appreciated Susan cook, HGD's CALIFORNIA

I use to be a runner and a slim frame I turned to food for emotional support I need help Not sure what the answer is S

Not sure where U have heard bad things about OCC in Mexico or about Dr Ortiz. I missed all those reports. Please advise so I can look them up I am actually set for Surgery at OCC Dec 27, 2011 but now the BLUE CROSS in the USA Approved my RNY, I have an option for this procedure. Please let me know where to go for the bad report info First I have heard about sub standard conditions S. Cook

I am so shocked I won this appeal I have been walking all around in a daze since Friday Eve when I opened the mail I got onto alot of websites, did more research and looked into the Duodnal switch like T. Plication suggested I am seeing alot of simalarities with the RNY and DS. Not sure I want to go with a new VERY Invasive procedure when RNY is tried and true now, being done with lots of confidence and experience The plication was the one I originally went for and set at OCC in MEX I changed to the SLEEVE I have seen alot of GREAT success with the Band and ALL of them really Not sure what the answer is and why it works for some and not others The thing I like with the Clinic in RENO NV is they are 62 miles from me I can rely on the classes, support meetings and if anything comes up, they are there The band was what I originally went for there and the DR talked me into thinking HARD on the RNY vs the BAND I met a guy that had the band in the Waiting Room. He lost 100 pounds with it and is still loosing Not sure why some gain their weight back, do not need fills, eat stuff easily, conform to the new lifestyle and never look back and others FAIL having lots of issues I wonder if it is the fact they do not use the surgery as a tool VS a catch all to total weight loss thinking they do not have to work at new habits with the surgical assistance. I guess I will find out. I see that Western Bariatrics also do the SLEEVE on a limited basis. I will ask on that MONDAY when I call with all this new found news . I love this chat site by the way. I went into the RNY sites and was LOST I feel at home here Thank U all. S

The band is more than all that. The FILLS I do not want to mess with I think the more I research, the RNY is the way I will go I would not have the RNY or the DS out of country I want coverage for future stuff with my Surgeon in the USA paid by INSURANCE I am leaning toward the RNY I will know more MON S

Blue Cross agreeing to the Laprascopic RNY bypass procedure with the one nite hospital stay SHOCKED me and as of now, I am not sure what the hell happened. I must have writtne a hell of an appeal..... I have done alot of reserach and tonight I went over the Duodenal switch surgery. What an invasive procedure that seems to be.... Not alot of research results out there and from what the info I found said, only 50 doctors in the USA are doing it.... In as much as the Band over the Sleeve, I have seen it but not as a surgery that was addressed much in my travels. That band seems to be something I kind of wanted to stay away from. Just that fill situation and they dealing with the foreign object in my body made me feel kind of queezy. Not sure that one would be for me. S

Mednar, Did U get the BAND?? How are U anyway? I forgot to check. Weigh loss happening?? S

I totally agree I did not cancel OCC in MEX and I fired off alot of emails to the Clinic in RENO with WESTERN Bariatrics about my shared cost for the HOSPITAL, DR and ANESTATIST. I will also get into the Roux en Y chat line I will know more on MON The same mail batch on FRI, I had a letter from the State Dept saying my Birth certificate was not embossed. I just got online and ordered a RUSH for an EMBOSSED copy for the State Dept. I am not even sure if I can now get the passport here by DEC 26 UGH I sent all this to Carolyn at OCC and am waiting till it all comes together Monday and thru next week What a life Thank U for the info S

AT this point, I am so confused I need to back off and start over next week on NOV 28, researching again The BIGGEST issue for me is the aftercare If there is issue, I would have to go back to Mexico for follow up This clinic will cover all if there is needed surgery intervention, etc I originally went forward with the Roux en y 10 ys ago. Denial and 2 appeals DENIED..... I went forward this time to Dr GAnser in RENO NV and at 38 BMI and shot knees, MANY Co morbididities, the INSURANCE DENIED me I was PISSED I sat down and put the pen to the Paper Set up OCC as I was sure this was gonna be a denial on my initial appeal. I have to tell U, that was a DARK DARK moment to open that original denial. I bought plane TIX and put the deposit down. APPEAL APPROVED. UGH I am just so overwhelmed, I cannot go forward on the Duodnal Switch issue now. It is cancel MEXICO at OCC for the SLEEVE and go for the USA Roux en Y bypass. I am confused, scared and overall in disbeleif I got approved for USA I have a few friends that had complications with the Rouex en Y ys ago and were in medical need , one over $100 K If I have to endure drama over the SLeeve in MEX, I gotta pay for it I have to protect my assets , what little I have left , as we are at retirement age and I have a small business I will know more on MON Nov 28 when I contact the USA Bariatric clinic in RENO I emailed the letter from Blue Cross and will get all my answers on that process MON or TUE OVERWHELMED S

I feel like I am starting over again on RESEARCH. I will find out more on MONDAY when Dr GAnsers office calls me. UGH Thank U so much for all UR great info I will start on the research this weekend.... It has been such a SHOCK that the BLUE CROSS Approved my appeal. Wow S

Isn't it fair to say, anything invasive such as an abdominal invasive procedure could be PAINFUL and each of us are different so not to say who will feel what until the individual has surgery. The Age thing is there too When in UR 20's, U are mostly bullet proof. Get into UR 40's and 50 +, look out I am 50 and thinking I am in for some big drama over this procedure painwise I am a sissy too.

On the 15th of Nov, I will be 6 weeks out and I am jazzed. I appreciate all the help. With all that come to Dr O for the surgery, I would imagine He can pick and choose who gets surgery and not, keeping in mind safety. S

I just wanted to be ready with food before hand. I am on the same page with U. I think the shakes and soups will be great and I will go from there. I ordered some good stuff and winter being here, I got the hot chocolate flavors with high protein. I an armed and READY Locked and Loaded as they say at the Range. S

There is so much to learn about all this. Where did U all get UR pre op and post op foods? I ordered from 4 places to try some stuff, get Vitamins, check shipping time, etc. Cost seems close to the same but shipping times VARY. I got alot of liquid shake Meal Replacement stuff, chicken Soup, Hot Co Co, Protein drink mixes, vitamins and alot of samples were sent. Soups, oatmeal, etc Is it really important to eat the bariatric stuff?? Can I just get the drink mixes, oatmeal, meal replacement stuff at the health food store or does it have to be bariatric stuff??

I am so glad to hear this as the going under is alot for me. I just do not want to wake up paralyzed and struggling to breath, then coming to. Happened in the USA when I had Carpal Tunnel surgery and what a NIGHTMARE. Thank U for easing my mind.... I have been in TEXAS alot. I have a co breeder best pal in Phoenix AZ and we have gone to TEXAS for dog stuff. I have a friend in WACO and I have flown into Dallas for a dog show in the market place last DEC 2010. The heat in TEXAS is tough but there are alot of dog people in Texas that I have worked with and been in and out for a time. I now have a handler for my dogs in Indiana and I hope to fly back in APRIL for a dog show in MD. I want to be skinny enough by APRIL to show my pup in a class in the big annual Poodle Club of America show in April. Lots to look forward to. S

I love these faces. Anyway, I agree with the diet stuff. I went thru 2 rounds of Bypass stuff in the USA to Be denied by BLUE CROSS I went to the Nutrition classes and got alot from them I have ordered the liquid diet stuff , Vitamins from Bariatric Advantage and will do the diet PRE OP as directed Post Op, I have the schedule down, food catalogs for the liquid stuff, etc and will for sure stick with it I am commited and I am glad U had a great experience. I thought Carolyn was a great one to deal with Where are U located? What about being UNDER Was the experience good ? Did they put U under and did U wake UP without fear or being unable to talk or communicate but being sound in UR thoughts? I had a bad experience in the USA with coming out of surgery, mask on, could not talk, felt like I was drowning. Lasted seconds but an EXPERIENCE of a lifetime..... S

I am going forward with the sleeve. I am booked , deposit paid and received. food bought. Flight Booked. PLAN IN MOTION All this choice stuff is overwhelming. Blue cross got my APPEAL and are "REviewing it" By the time I get the next "DENIED" from them, I will be enroute to Mexico or Home, in one piece I hope.... S

CONGRATS!! I am so happy for U all! I am suprised someone with a BMI of 30 would be able to get it done. I am gaining more info as I move along and it is sounding like the OCC and Dr Ortiz seems to be highly regarded... Why did Mom and Dad do the Plication and U do the SLEEVE?? I am doing the SLEEVE and am thinking that is a better choice for me after all my research. I am excited Thank U S

I really am OK but I always am searching. I have had alot of surgeries before and have been under a few times. Mostly Knees, carpal tunnel, female stuff . I think Dr Ortiz had good reviews and I am commited. I am always thinking though. Thank U , S