ElseeG

Hi everyone. I'm a self-pay patient looking for an affordable, US alternative to the $29k NYC price tag. Does anyone have experience with Drs. Mark Pleatman (MI), Dirk Rodriguez (Dallas) or Nick Nicholson (also Dallas)? Any other reccs? Thanks!

Thanks!!!

I never considered bariatric surgery until my gyn suggested it. Having spent countless hours researching it and interviewing several surgeons along with my husband, I’ve decided to go ahead with it. I’m elated to think I can jump start my way to a new life. I don’t see this as an end in itself or as a cure-all, but rather as a powerful tool. Don’t see it as giving, see it as taking charge. So what’s the problem? My psychiatrist objects. She hasn’t articulated anything beyond saying this is a drastic step and we should explore other alternatives...like appetite suppressants. I’m clinicaly obese. Appetite suppressants aren’t turning this ship around. Shes a fantastic doctor and I know she cares and wants to do well by her patients. She helped get me out of a BP depression several years back. I’m fully recovered and I’m religious about my meds. So i’m in the uncomfortable position of having to persuade my shrink not to stand in my way. Just venting.

Great. Thanks!

Congrats! Who will handle your post-op care? Or do you live in Dallas?

$9800, I could do. It’s the NYC $29k that I can’t do. Can I ask who you saw? Did you have any issues?

I have. I’ve discussed it with my husband and the rest of my family and they are so staunchly opposed to it, I just can’t. Not an option...

Hi. My psychiatrist is also a psychotherapist, so therapy is part of the relationship. i seperately have to pass the psych evaluation with the bariatric psych recommended by the clinic. My question is whether the bariatric psych would require my psychiatrist’s sign off. Thanks!

Hi thanks for writing back. It sounds like caloric intake varies by person post surgery. I don’t lose any weight at all on 1200 cals...

Hi LittleLizzie, And do you also stick with about 700 cals?

Thanks Orionburn. How many calories a day donyoubeat and eat and how do you control yourself from grazing? Was the impulse control different pre-surgery? Is it that you fill up more easily? How do you handle nervous and night eating (my issue)? How many calories do you consume daily? sorry for all the questions. I’m just nervous about doing this if I’m just going to screw it up!

Yeah. I’m not hopeful. My results came back mild.

Definitely!!!

It’s unlikely my insurance will pay. Given my BMI, I would need at least one co-morbidity. I (thankfully) have none, although the results of the sleep apnea test aren’t in yet (fingers crossed?). Weight has been a life long issue for me. I’ve been going to dietitians since I was in grade school. Other than my weight, I’m thankfully healthy. The way I see it, why wait until I’m not? so my question is, would you have paid out of pocket if insurance denied you (and you could scrape up the cash)? i live on the east coast, so Mexico would be too long of a haul for me. I also just feel more comfortable being close to home. Thanks.

I think that’s fine too. I probably sound like a complete jerk whining about this. Sorry guys. I’m just so sick of living my life this way. I avoid all sorts of social settings because of my weight. It hinders me professionally. I’ve been going to dietitians since grade school. I don’t want my young girls to one day realize just how heavy their mommy is. I want to set a good example for them. It doesn’t make sense to me that I have to wait until I’m really sick before I can do something about this situation. Sorry. I’m just really frustrated.

I have a BMI aid 35 and have struggled with weight since I was a child. I can’t drop weight on my own at this point, no matter what I do. I gain and lose the same two pounds. Anyway, Unless the sleep study shows sleep apnea, I have no co-morbidities. I’m grateful to be in such good health, but it does mean I probably won’t be covered and will have to pay out of pocket. No real question here, just putting it out there.

Thanks, no, though. Sleep apnea appears to be the only option. My glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol are all fine. Same with my liver. Already had it scanned for fat.

Where do you go for post-op care if you get surgery away from home?

How many cals do you eat each day?

Hi all. Here’s a question I haven’t been able to get a clear answer to...does surgery only restrict calories? If so, would I get the same result by cutting my calories to 750 and no carbs? Or...is it that set point and metabolism are also reduced, making it easier to lose weight? I’m already at about 1200 calories per day and the scale won’t drop beyond 194. I’m 5’ 2”. Thanks.

It’s unlikely my insurance will pay. Given my BMI, I would need at least one co-morbidity. I (thankfully) have none, although the results of the sleep apnea test aren’t in yet (fingers crossed?). Weight has been a life long issue for me. I’ve been going to dietitians since I was in grade school. Other than my weight, I’m thankfully healthy. The way I see it, why wait until I’m not? so my question is, would you have paid out of pocket if insurance denied you (and you could scrape up the cash)?

Gassy Girl, that brings me to another question I haven’t been able to get a clear answer to...does surgery only restrict calories? If so, would I get the same result by cutting my calories to 750 and no carbs? Or...is it that set point is also reduced, making it easier to lose weight? I’m already at about 1200 calories per day and the scale won’t drop beyond 194. I’m 5’ 2”. Thanks.

Thanks, Julie!

I’m right at 35.

Will my paychiatrist’s sign off be required as part of the psychological exam?