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I don't think Mexico is a good choice. If your insurance has ceased, you can call around to different offices and see if they give a self-pay price. I worked in a doc office for many years. We offered a lower price on everything for non-insured. If you find one, next?, I would ask about payments and what had to be paid up front. I hope some of this helps.

I feel your pain. I had some testing done that showed I was having 96 episodes of reflux in a 24 hr period. I have had aspiration pneumonia multiple times. I even went into respiratory and renal failure due to aspirating. I had bypass done 2/21/17. I had gained quite a bit of weight after an accident. Due to both factors, bariatrics was suggested by my pcp. This surgery was nothing that I would have considered had it not been for the reflux. I had multiple complications after surgery. From 2/21-4/7, I was only home 6 days. I was admitted on 4 separate occasions. I am finally feeling somewhat normal again. I have to be very aware of what I eat because I still have pain under ribcage dependent on the food. Good luck to you.

No. I would have done it. I would NEVER have done the bypass or any bari surg, but I had such severe reflux that I had aspirated and continued to have mult episodes of pneumonia. Just months before my surg, I was in the hospital for passing out, hitting the back of my head on the brick hearth. 17 staples and admitted. I aspirated while in the hosp and was coded. I went into respiratory and renal failure because of reflux. The surg was going to fix the weight and reflux so I did it. I'm those odds that the doctors tell you about, like there is a 2% chance of stroke, blood clots, etc. That's me for whatever reason. The first 3 adm, I was at midtown. The last time, he sent me to main campus. Both facilities were awesome with great staff as well. I am happy with the surgeon. Who is doing yours?

I'm writing this on my phone at 2:30 at night. I have a really hard time sleeping. I honestly just saw everyone's posts. I apologize for not responding. I was reluctant to give all the details of my surgery and complications following. I have now been home for 3 weeks. From 2/21-4/9, I was home a total of 7 days. 4 admissions total. The last infection required another incision with drains. With all this being said, I have seen the surgeon every wk for a while. I had to go to a hepatologist yesterday, who is part of the transplant team at Emory. During my initial surgery they took a liver biopsy. It is inflamed and scarred. Having to follow up with labs and MRI. Saw my pcp today. We had a very long discussion. His words were, "I have never seen any of my patients have such severe complications with gen surg or the bari surg! You have paid a high price in pain and suffering, but I believe you are in the clear now. Hold on to it!" I most definitely agreed. The positive is, I am down exactly 50lbs since 2/21. I am 179. I would like to get back down in the 140's. The funny part is, I'm wearing clothes that I haven't worn for some time, but I don't see the difference in the mirror. I guess it's a mind thing. Thanks to you all!

I smoked many years ago and quit cold turkey twice. It has been close to 24 yr since I had a cigarette. I cannot stand to be around it any more. The smell just makes me want to hurl. (This is a good thing. I don't think I will ever want another one). Food for thought (no pun intended), 2 yr ago, I was at work (doc office). My bro-in-law showed up. When I got up front, he was pacing and then proceeded to tell me that my husband/his brother had collapsed at work (ga power). They had already shocked him mult times with no response. We get to the hospital & cardiologist is waiting with us, for him to arrive. We go through history. Never had any sugar, bp, cholesterol, or lipid issues. The doctor they asked if he smoked, I answered yes. The response was always....well, there's the culprit. He had to be flown from hometown hosp to Emory because he had traumatic brain injuries. All could have been avoided. I did tell him that if I ever smelled smoke again on him, I was gone. Never will be choice through that again because of non compliance.

Hair loss is normal. Any time your body goes through trauma, your hair will fall out. This is a wee bit different. You have got to stay on your vitamins and make sure you get 60gm of protein a day (that was my instruction). I was given a name of a specific vitamin that CVS didn't carry. We were told probably GNC or Amazon would be the only place to get it. Actually 3-collagen with hyaluronic acid for hair, skin & nails and it is at GNC. chondroitin and glucosamine for bones & joints, especially if you are post menopausal.

Well, I still have an open incision. Thank goodness for my daughter, who has been a willing participant in removing and repacking the incision. Home health comes 3 days a wk and they have been great. I feel much better than I did 2 wk ago, but still have lots of healing to do. My weight loss has been approx a lb a day. I want it to go faster! Glad to be alive, though.

Well, I posted that I had to go back in the hosp a second time. I came home and was then readmitted 2 days later with horribly infected incision site. 3 admissions in 1.5 wk. I have been home for 2 days now. It's the first time since my surg date that I don't feel like I'm going to die or need to go back. Thank you, Jesus! Tomorrow will be 2 wk out from surg. It will get better![emoji4]

My story is a little different. I had my by pass on 2/21/17, went home on 2/24. That night was horrible. I left the hospital vomiting and sick, BIG mistake! I was unable to take any pain, nausea, or Maint meds. I could barely move or even suck on ice. That night I began hallucinating and having breathing difficulties even though I was sent home on O2. I was readmitted 2/25 with chf, dehydration, & uncontrolled pain. Discharged on 2/28. All that time, I cont to tell them my pain was off the charts and 1 of 5 of my incisions was getting redder and harder. Discharged anyway. Follow up with pcp on 3/2. Breathing was very labored & required O2. I was sent for Ct scan to rule out blood clot. That morning my "bad" incision had begun to ooze. 4X4's covering it. By the time we finished Ct, my drainage had soaked through 3 towels! I was sent back to the hospital. Admitted the 3rd time in just over a wk. Incision was reopened and drained of more than a quart of nasty infection. I was discharged 3/4. 3/7 will mark my 2wk post op. I was sent home with incision open with packing that has to be changed daily and dressing change twice daily. This is the first time I don't feel like I'm heading back to the hospital or feel like I am dying. This is NOT typical, but everyone should pay attention to the little things because they can turn into BIG things fast!

I am 1 wk postop. I live in Atlanta and my surgeon is world renowned. At 4 days, I went home. Was emergency re admitted on 5th with congestive heart failure, pneumonitis, & mult other issues. I think these problems are with my crazy body, not surgery itself. Now, I'm running a fever. I love seeing these awesome quick results! I'm wondering if some other people with other significant med problems have rebounded better than me. Tell me when the surg pain and back pain (for me), get better.

I had my surgery Tues 2/21. Went home late Friday night. Back in under urgent admit Saturday. Congestive heart failure with pneumonitis! I began hallucinating couldn't catch my breath and in unbearable pain because I was unable to take pill or liquid meds and unable to keep an ice chip down. Mon. 27. I want to feel good again. I know this was an informed decision. I have worked in health field for my entire life. Not sure what I could have done differently. I probably won't post again for a while.

Thank you. I wish that I had found this site before YESTERDAY!

I am in the waiting room at Emory Hospital-Atlanta. I am so hungry! Will be in the best sleep ever in a little while. I'm anxious about this. I have had mult abdominal surgeries and was never really nervous. I had an illness a yr. ago and was in the hospital. I was coded because I went into renal & respiratory failure. That worries me now, but more than anything, my oldest daughter is pregnant with our first grand baby, a boy. That has been the center of my thoughts for the last few months. Will check in afterwards. Good luck and prayers for me, please! Carol

I'm not sure I'm doing this right. I think I'm responding, but still getting questions that I answered. Maybe with time.

Still trying to get the hang of this. I want to get done to 145-150. I was happy during that time, but soon after had serious medical issues, and lost my job.