MadB

Many people can not get their Insurance to cover the procedure (if they have insurance at all); surgery is much cheaper in foreign countries such as Mexico. Exactly. I have very decent insurance through work. That said, our plan does not allow bariatric procedures for weight loss. It goes a step farther than just that though. It also excludes bariatric procedures even with comorbidities involved. I've learned that it is very common for government employee plans, (especially smaller municipal and county), to be written this way to help keep insurance costs in the plan down. It sucks, as I have a few comorbidities, and would love to go through insurance. Since I don't have that option, my options for surgery are to go local, which in my market would be approximately 12k for a VSG, or go the Medical Tourism route, which is running me about 4.3k, That's a big difference, obviously. Complications can happen anywhere with any surgeon. If you do your homework and feel comfortable with the surgeon, it shouldn't matter what country you do it at, imo.

So I'm two weeks away to this day, (surgery is on the 27th with Dr Cabrerra in Tijuana). Woot!!! Enjoying this last week of eating since I start my one-week pre-op diet on Saturday. Sooo excited and nervous and plenty of emotions all at once. As I get ready for everything, my mind turned slightly morbid. I realized I don't have an Advanced Directive/Living Will. I've had other surgeries in the past, (Back surgery as well as various minor out-patient things), but I always just shrugged it off when checking in and the nurses asked if I had one. While I am optimistic about this process, it is still a major surgery, and I want to ensure my family, (primarily my mother and brother), to know my wishes should anything come my way in the weeks following my post-op. I am at a loss though. I can get the forms online obviously, but there are so many things. For anyone that would like to share some insight, I would greatly appreciate it. I understand those that may not want to, as it is a VERY personal decision, so I will be happy just taking your thoughts and prayers as I figure this part out. 1>For those of you that have an Advanced Directive, how did you bring it up to your spouse or family member? 2>Do you think they understood that just because you are signing one, it doesn't mean anything is going to happen, you just want them to know what you want should the unthinkable occur? Or did they take it hard. My mother is only 64, but I want to limit the her stress over this. 3> How did you decide what you did and did not want? I imagine it is a mixture of science, religion, and perception, but I am at a loss. How is someone supposed to decided how long is too long for something like a vent, or feeding tube, or whatever? My gut tells me that once a physician says I am terminal and will never be able to care for myself, that 30 days is enough time to "see if he/she is right", and also give the family some closure, but, blarg..... Sorry for the grim nature of the post, but it's the stage I'm currently at. I should have faced these decisions years ago with other surgeries, but I avoided them. Well, not anymore. Thanks for any input folks. It truly is appreciated.

Greetings all!!!! (Long, sorry in advance, I'm a rambler) I've been browsing the site for a while, and figured it was about time to register and do the obligatory "Hello" post. I'm a 34 year old guy living in Central Texas. I've struggled with weight my entire life, becoming pretty obvious once I entered my early teens and progressively getting worse. I managed my emotions fairly well, (thanks in large part to my mother, who as a single parent did a great job trying everything she could). As the years went by, my weight continued to climb. I have been luckier than some, and my highest has 'only' been ~330, and I am currently at ~274. Like most of us, I've tried various diets and exercise programs. Even my co-workers have taken me out to workout with them. (I'm a civilian employee assigned as a researcher in a law enforcement agency SWAT unit, so needless to say they almost killed me, haha). While I was thrilled with the support, I always hit my same road blocks, followed by going back up. I finally decided it was time for a change in my life. I'm facing a double fusion at my L4-L5 & L5-S1 due to disc degeneration, likely due in large part to my weight and posture. I also have mild blood pressure issues, NASH (Fatty Liver Disease), and Triglycerides up over 450. Unrelated to my weight, I also get to deal with Crohn's disease, (Yay for being one of the 5% of fat Crohnies, lol). I just had one of those 'Heartsaver CT' scans, and learned I have Calcium in my arteries, despite only being in my 30s. That was the last straw. Despite having decent insurance, our plan excludes ANY bariatric procedures for ANY reason, so I knew I was on my own. After a LOT of research, I have chosen to go with Mexico Bariatric Center, and am scheduled for a VSG with Dr Cabrerra (primary) and Dr Altamirano (assisting) on January 27th. One month ago to this day. I am extremely nervous about doing it, but comfortable with my choice of surgeons. I was pleased that my gastroenterologist doctor who cares for my liver and Crohn's is on board, (though she is worried about Mexico, she completely understands why I am going this route). I decided to make the best of it, and am flying in to San Diego the Saturday before and spending a night at the gorgeous Manchester Grand Hyatt before being picked up by them on Sunday to take me down to TJ to get checked into their Marriott. When I'm done, I'm staying an extra two days, (Fri and Sat night), back at the same Grant Hyatt. I'm a SD native, so it'll be nice to be able to walk around at Seaport Village and see the USS Midway museum after being away since 1998 when I moved out here. My mother is going with my as my 'go-to person', and we are even treating ourselves to First Class on the flight. Have only done that once in my life a long time ago, (mainly cause it's just way to expensive), but dangit, I'm going to have some fun on this trip. Afterall, it's the start of my new life! Welp, after that wall of text, thanks to everyone on the site. I've learned a lot, and continue to each time I browse the forums. I'm sure I'll be around a lot as the next month gets closer, and even more so once I'm post-op and likely have even more questions. -MadB

Will do. I was originally going to go with Dr Valenzuela, but she'll be on Maternity leave during that timeframe. Cabrerra and her work together, and he seems to have a good history as well so I was fine going with him instead. Plus, I get the added benefit of having Dr Altamirano as his assisting surgeon, so I get some eye candy during the whole ordeal, haha.

We'll be hanging out at the Delta side, 4:35pm departure, (have to connect in SLC on the way back to Austin). /wave

I'm scheduled for Jan 27th (Monday) with Dr Cabrerra at Hospital Mi Doctor through Mexico Bariatric Center. Fly in to SD on Sat the 25th, fly out Sunday Feb 2nd. (We're coming in a day early, and staying two days after to enjoy San Diego since I grew up there). Looking forward to a new start!