Stacy_wls

I am self pay and found a surgeon that I am very comfortable in Mexico (Dr Ramos Kelly). My PCP looked him up with me and was on board. He said he would have no problem helping me with any follow up care. My parents however are not at all comfortable with Mexico. They convinced me to do the surgery in Chicago (they are helping me fund the additional cost of doing it here). I am working with a surgeon in Chicago, but have not been impressed so far with everything. I had a horrible experience with his psychologist and am unsure about his nutritionist so far (have my one on one with her on Monday). I have a surgery date 12/9, but based on the discussion with the psychologist she might want to push it back b/c she needs paperwork done from my Doctor & Therapist and is unable to e-mail it so it must be done by snail mail (?!?!) Because I had a surgery date, I have already bought tickets for my mother to come to Chicago for that date and set up the time off from work. So changing it at this point would be stressful on many fronts and expensive! I'm meeting with the surgeon on Monday, so should just remain calm and wait for that discussion, but the uncertainty has me very stressed out. I am not wishing I just went with my gut and went to Mexico. I would already be in recovery if things do not go well on Monday, I may just take that route regardless. Has anyone had a similar experience? Did you do the surgery where your family wanted or do what made you feel most comfortable?

Mel - I am going to tell the surgeon about my experience on Monday. Part of me just wants to play nice with this lady because she has been moving forward and may approve it, and I have already given her $300. Unless there is a valid concern that she can explain to me, I would like my surgery to move forward as scheduled, and I think finishing this with her will be the best way. I do 100% refuse to pay her anymore money. Regardless of how it turns out, I would like him to know that the person I was referred to by his office was completely unprofessional.

I felt very much like a piece of data to her. She did not look me in the eyes, she was looking out the door the entire time of the session. She also sat all the way across the room. She told me to sit on one couch, and rather than sitting on the chair opposite to it, she sat on the couch behind that chair. She cut me off after yes or no answers saying she just needed a yes or no. Then said she wasn't sure I was a good candidate, but when I pressed for why she had very vague answers. I still think it is likely she will approve me, but I left the session very emotionally drained. She looked at a bunch of test questions, yes or no answers to very personal things and then judged me. It was really a horrible experience.

Thanks. Reading on here people seem to say if you understand the surgery and have things together it will go fine. I definitely fit those two criteria, but this women was very vague but discouraging. Ugh. I'm meeting with my therapist today and will follow up with the psychiatrist on the phone. I absolutely will not pay that women any more money as I felt she was completely unprofessional. I guess if needed I will need to get another eval from someone else. I don't understand how you can tell someone they may not be a good candidate without clear logical reasoning.

She made me pay cash as well & was recommended by the surgeon. Was this Dr. Holliday by any chance? It just felt so odd. I have been reading other people's experiences and they say the pysch eval is just to see that they understand the surgery and are capable of making the decision. Thank you for responding.

Thank you everyone. This makes me feel much better!

I am meeting with the psychiatrist next week. I am concerned my depression / antidepressants could cause some issues with approval. Has anyone else gone through this process who has been dealing with depression? Thank you!

Good luck! The insurance is so frustrating. I have Cigna, which covers it, but my employer has it excluded. I was 'lucky' in that a co-worker went through the stress to figure this all out last year, so I got to skip it, but am stuck paying myself. Less emotional stress, just more financial. I hope this goes through quickly for you. I am having my surgery on dec 9th, maybe we will be around the same time.

Hi everyone! My surgery date is set for December 9th. I am starting my prop diet on November 25 th. I don't have all of the details on it yet, but know that it will be 800 calories max per day. I am super nervous about this. I was thinking it would be great if I could lose some weight before the prop diet, so that the honeymoon phase of the sleeve could focus on not the first 20 lbs but the second and third 20 . What do you all think? Any recommendations on diet for the next two weeks? I'm meeting with my nutritionist again on the 18th. Thanks!

Hi everyone! I am getting sleeved by dr Tiesenga on Dec 9th. Are you guys doing any kind of meet ups? I live by midway.