medussa

I have insurance, obesity, and 3 co-morbidities and am still a self pay. I refuse to wait another year on a "Physician supervised diet" I will just be another 30lbs heavier by then. I know that all my pre op stuff was submitted and paid for by my insurance. I had 2 sleep studies, labs, CXR,EKG, Ultrasound, pulmonary function test....you name it. I paid the surgeon, the hospital and the anesthesiologist total of 8500$ All else I had submitted to my insurance and no questions asked. I will also have my endoscopy submitted when the year mark comes around. I just let the MD know I am self pay. Either he or my PCP order it and write down the code...which is not related to weight loss surgery. Meaning, i had the sleep studies to asses for sleep apnea. The tests should all be done... just make sure you tell them that the stuff like that should be submitted to your insurance. I hope that helps. Good luck!!!!!

Question to all of you that chose to go to Mexico....why did you choose mexico? Was it the Dr. and his experience or the price? I am a self pay even though I have excellent insurance and it is going to cost me about 8500$ total. Some of my preop stuff was paid for...about 1700$ worth. How much does this Dr. R in Monterey charge? I AM NOT knocking mexico, but god help me it is not fun to fly when I feel good, let alone a couple days post-op. Plus I have heard people who have talked of all the travel and walking across the boarder post op etc.... It just seem like such a lot of extra steps and a long distance to go if you can have the same proceedure here in the US for about the same price. Just wondering if I am missing something. I would like to add that it is VERY important to have confidence and feeling of security about the decision you have made. If one finds that in Mexico then so be it. Mental state plays a huge role in recovery and sucess so do what you have to do where you have to do it!

I will be an official may bandster next thurs, the 18th. I am 4'11'' and 165lbs. I started at 175lbs. I have a BMI of 35 but have been dealing with severe hypertension and sleep apnea as well as some other minor things. I have tried every avenue to lose weight and have been unsuccessful. This really is a last resort for me. I realize that I don't have quite as much weight to lose as some of the people here, but I am pretty short and the excess 65lbs are taking a HUGE toll. I have been reading such GREAT info here! Thank God I found this site! As much as they try to prepare you, they don't even come close to giving the info that everyone here has offered up...so THANK YOU! I am having trouble with the ticker factory thing. Cant get it to paste. If someone would be willing to give really detailed insrtuctions I would really appreciate it. GOOD LUCK TO ALL! I look forward to being part of the group.

Embarrasing to admit but I have always added cottage cheese to my spegetti sauce and heated it over noodles

I have enough addictions to break....thanks for the warning as I will NEVER enter the place after reading this!! I am glad I never knew as I have one on the corner and have never visited.

I understand the no carbonation thing but why no coffee?? I was told none...not even decaf. I dont understand why it would be so bad. Can someone give me any answer...I have to have a really good reason to give up my coffee in the morning. I am not banded yet and having difficulty with this one.

I am scheduled to go in on May 18th for my band. I wanted some experienced people to tell me what my recovery will be like. I know what my doctor says, but I want to know when I will be up and about.....for real.:help: What kind of positions will I not tolerate. How long before I will be comfortable driving a car...as I spend alot of time behind the wheel for work. The real nitty gritty stuff that I should be prepared for. I want to know the about the things they don't really mention prior to surgery.

thanks for the reply. I have been reading some of the things posted and am starting to get nervous. You have eased my mind somewhat!