KatieSue

I hope you start feeling better Linda. What are you symptoms other than pain? What did your doctor think at your two week appointment? Any nausea? Is the pain constant or just with eating? Just a thought. I've read these can be symptoms of a leak..... Praying for your recovery!!!

A question I have about going to Mexico for surgery is: if you have later complications were you concerned about not having access to your surgeon in your area? What if I ended up in the ER for something and needed emergency surgery and my trusted surgeon is in mexico? Just trying to reconcile that with myself. And follow up care too? I realize not as necessary as it is with RNY or band but I'm concerned about not having access without great travel. Any thoughts? Thanks. Katie

The second doctor I am seeing besides my surgeon soon is Dr. Alanis in Houston, TX. Anyone have experience - good or bad with Dr. Alanis? My current surgeon for RNY is Dr. Garth Davis. Anyone had a sleeve with Garth? I'm meeting both docs for sleeve consults soon.

So true Ruthi about the worries. I'm definitely leaning towards self-pay. As far as my insurance - I have pretty good insurance. Max out of pocket is $2000 per year and $250 deductible. With going through the approval process already, I've met the deductible and would have to pay another $1300 at this point for the RNY. So - comparing $1300 to $13,500 is what's getting Steve. But - as others have said - its about what is best for me, not what insurance will cover. Thanks. again.

Good point on the NSAIDS. Although I don't have to take them, I prefer them for my back pain. I was struck by a car while walking when I was 15 and I've had 2 knee surgeries plus a recent back surgery and of course possibly more in the future if I don't get the wait off. I take a lot of Ibuprophen these days just to do regular things like laundry, gardening, etc. I asked my surgeon currently doing RNY about it and he said maybe after the weight loss I won't need NSAIDS for pain anyway. I thought it was a good choise but a big gamble. My husband asked if I thought that was smart considering my pain level. Good point hubby, you just gave me another reason for the sleeve vs RNY. I'll have to remind him of that. I think he was comfortable with the band because we know a few people with sucess with that but the others scare him a little. His mother had WLS 25 years ago. I think the Verticle Banded Gastroplasty (early 80's). She lost 185lbs, never had any plastics and then gained back about 80 lbs. So - I think that is his experience with WLS surgery. I reminded him I don't have 185 lbs to loose and if I require plastics, well - I'll be getting them done!!!!!!! Anyway - thanks to all for your advice!!!

My surgeon and I haven't discussed the sleeve yet. I have a new appointment with him next week. He once said to me, if you were self-pay I would be recommending the sleeve but since you have insurance the RNY may be right for you. I am also seeing a second surgeon next week. Although I feel very comfortable with my surgeon I've found and been through the whole process with, I'm not sure how much experience with the sleeve he has. There is another surgeon here in Houston that has been recommended to me with more sleeve experience and better prices. My current surgeon is quite $$$ now that I may be a cash pay. Its so hard to not only switch surgeries at this late hour, but also to think about switching doctors after working with him for 5 months now. Oh well - better to do it right than to rush. I'm 5'4 and about 250 lbs and 29 yrs old. I feel my biggest problem is over-eating, I know what I should eat!!! But, my husband and I have also been enabling each other the past few years to eat what tastes good instead of what we should. So habits will need to be changed for sure but I still think the quantity is the biggest issue. I'm not a sugar junky but he is so its always in the house. I've been reading a lot on this forum about the experiences with going to Mexico. I have to say I never considered it but now I'm curious and will have to do some more research. Thanks for the input. Truly I think my husband fears me doing any surgery but will support me. So with his fear of me doing it in general, plus spending our money, he is just a little apprehensive. Again, he doesn't think I need to do anything!! Sweet - but wrong!! I hope him coming with me next week will help ease his concerns as well.

Ruthi - Although I've discussed the different surgeries with my husband, he hasn't attended any of the appointments or seminars with me so I think he just doesn't understand the differences and risks completely. Ultimately he supports whatever decision I make but of course would prefer I did not use up our savings or put us in debt. He thinks I'm fine the way I am of course. I have an appointment with a different surgeon to discuss the sleeve next week and I've asked my husband to come with me. That might help!!

Hi Everyone - I'm new to this forum. I've recently been approved by my insurance for the RNY which I researched heavily and was prepared to have. My surgery date is currently October 20, 2009 because of my travel committments at work. Recently I started checking into the sleeve which is not covered by insurance and now I'm confused. I think the sleeve may be for me but it's really hard to pass up on insurance paying and pay for the other out of my own pocket. Any thoughts? My instinct is to fork over the cash but my husband has concerns. Katie

I had my consultation appointment with Dr Garth Davis on Monday. His office was soooo busy and they were way behind. My appointment time was 3:30 and I got in to see him right about 6:00 pm. I was the very last person in the waiting room so he was not in a rush at all and took the time to answer all of my questions. While you can tell he prefers the RNY because he says he sees better results, he supported me in the choice of the lap band. In fact he didn't even bring up the RNY, I did. I am a little undecided still. I am happy so far with my choice in Dr Davis. His staff was very friendly as well and although we were all waiting for hours to get in for our appointments, no one seemed to disgruntled. Has anyone started attending the support groups?? If so, do you attend the Methodist or University General or both?

I have Aetna PPO plan. I'm sure of the exact total but I know I have to meet my $250.00 detuctible and then they pay 80% and I pay 20% up to a max out of pocket of $2000.00 for the year. I'm guessing and only guessing to be out of pocket around $1700. I know I'll have the 80% for the surgery plus the anesthesiologist and hospital bill separately from the surgeon. The hospital will often work with payment plans over a six month period so that may ease the burden.

Are you planning on having the surgery at University General as well?? I belive for Aetna both the Methodist and University General are in-network. Also- what do you think of Dr. Davis so far? Did they push the RNY or were they open to the lab band for you?? Thanks.

I live in Northwest Houston so not too far of a drive for me. Seminar to consultation appointment was about 3 weeks wait time. It gives you time to watch the online required videos, get a letter from your PCP, and call your insurance regarding coverage. I think it would have been 2 weeks but my travel schedule required that I push it one week farther. I'm excited to meet Dr. Garth Davis today. The seminar I attended was given by Dr. Robert Davis but I chose Garth for the surgery thus far. I have Aetna PPO insurance and the in-network doctors are very limited. I've seen the Davis's show on TLC "Big Medicine" so I thought it was fantanstic to learn they are in Houston and Aetna in network doctors. I'll keep you posted on my first impressions. I wish you luck on your journey!!!!