Two questions

[BobBayCityMI 111]

Hi all.

First, the nerves and prep. I know worry is normal, but, wow. The idea of a life changing procedure makes me smile one minute, and be full of dread the next. How do others deal with it? And when it comes to the prep, anything that would be "Just do it, dammit!" even though it might seem silly or have no real purpose?

My second question is more a matter of why. Why do so many on here seem to be going to Mexico? I went through all the preliminary stuff, (and, yes, the six months of doctor visits even though I had years of records) and was approved. My doctor is close and the follow ups easier. Is it the money? Just curious.

August 3 is coming fast...

[Malaika 50]

Hi all.

First, the nerves and prep. I know worry is normal, but, wow. The idea of a life changing procedure makes me smile one minute, and be full of dread the next. How do others deal with it? And when it comes to the prep, anything that would be "Just do it, dammit!" even though it might seem silly or have no real purpose?

My second question is more a matter of why. Why do so many on here seem to be going to Mexico? I went through all the preliminary stuff, (and, yes, the six months of doctor visits even though I had years of records) and was approved. My doctor is close and the follow ups easier. Is it the money? Just curious.

August 3 is coming fast...

I think the nerves are normal and if you are sure as sure can be then you just have to bite the bullet and "do it"!

As for so many going to Mexico, in my situation, my insurance has an exemption and will not pay for ANY WLS, so I was self-pay if I wanted to get this surgery done. And I did.

The only surgeon here in Las Vegas that I would have considered going to charges about $25,000 for the sleeve and that does not include any of the pre-op testing, the anesthesiologist, the hospital stay or any post-op testing.

My price of $9500 with Dr. Alberto Aceves, who is more qualified than the LV surgeon, included absolutely EVERYTHING except the cost of getting to Mexicali and home (which was minimal considering we live close enough to drive.) It included pre-op testing, one night in a lovely resort, the surgery, anesthesia, 3 days in the hospital, and post-op testing.

The only real "follow-up" is in 3 months when they recommend you have an upper GI and a full panel of blood work. I will probably go back down to Mexicali to have this performed, because I have such a high opinion and tremendous respect for Dr. Aceves and his staff.

I discussed this surgery with my PCP before havingt it performed and he recommended that I proceed. He also said that he would be more than happy to take care of me following the surgery. So, if I don't go to Mexicali for the follow-up in 3 months, I can always go to see him.

Although it does have something to do with the money, for me it had more to do with the experience of my surgeon. Money did play a factor, but it wasn't the main reason for traveling to Mexicali. I value my health much more than getting a bargain.

Hope this helps.

[deedee 5]

I feel the same way as you. I just got my date of August 4, and I find I'm very excited one moment and then nervous the next. This really is a life changing operation. Good luck!

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Hi all.

First, the nerves and prep. I know worry is normal, but, wow. The idea of a life changing procedure makes me smile one minute, and be full of dread the next. How do others deal with it? And when it comes to the prep, anything that would be "Just do it, dammit!" even though it might seem silly or have no real purpose?

My second question is more a matter of why. Why do so many on here seem to be going to Mexico? I went through all the preliminary stuff, (and, yes, the six months of doctor visits even though I had years of records) and was approved. My doctor is close and the follow ups easier. Is it the money? Just curious.

August 3 is coming fast...

Sounds like your insurance is paying for your surgery? Lots of people to not have WLS benefits and they are self pay. In my case mine was a revision and while insurance would have paid for it I would have had to jump through a lot of hoops, beg, plead, and appeal. I was just too ill to do it, I needed to get my band out quickly.

I wanted the best of the best for revision surgeons so I self paid with Dr. Aceves. Revisions are a lot riskier than if someone has never had surgery. I wanted the best so I paid for the best.

I could have self paid in the US and eventually I would have been reimbursed by my ins but I trust Dr. Aceves.

For the average person (revision or not) if you were self paying would you prefer to go to someone in the US who is not very experienced for over $20K or go to a surgeon that is more experienced than most US doctors and has a better track record than any doctor you can find in the US or MX with leaks for $8750? Which would you choose? ;o)

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I feel the same way as you. I just got my date of August 4, and I find I'm very excited one moment and then nervous the next. This really is a life changing operation. Good luck!

Congrats on your date!

[Ruthi 60]

I think that after my last emergency surgery for a complication with the lap band and with what I know now about Dr. Aceves, I would have chosen Dr Aceves and his self pay over any of the US surgeons and insurance paying for it. No complications is just that important to me. I couldnt go through that again

[BobBayCityMI 111]

OK..thanks. That sure answers my Mexico question. And I totally understand. The preliminary crap was a headache, but am blessed that I am covered.

[MacMadame 81]

I was self-pay too. But I wanted to stay local and I was lucky because one of the premier sleeve surgeons in the country is local to me. So I paid a bit more, but it was worth it to me. I didn't pay $25000 though. That's crazy for a sleeve!

[kauser 0]

The "nerves" is why I picked a sooner date, July 6th. I'm getting ready to go! :lol0:

[Malaika 50]

I was self-pay too. But I wanted to stay local and I was lucky because one of the premier sleeve surgeons in the country is local to me. So I paid a bit more, but it was worth it to me. I didn't pay $25000 though. That's crazy for a sleeve!

That's exactly what I thought - and that was surgeon only. Plus, there's really no good hospitals in Las Vegas -- it is sad when you choose which hospital you want to go to based on the fact that they've had the lowest med mal lawsuit rate. I worked Med Mal for 6 years; defense side; and now 2 years plaintiff side; and trust me, you see the worst of the worst and makes one a bit gunshy.

[Elisabethsew 50]

I had the band placed in the U.S. but to get the band out, the insurance company wanted 9-12 months of documented problems. I could not live the way I had been for an addition 9-12 months and went to Mexico for a revision... no regrets!

[windyacres_2000 1]

Why Mexico? My surgery will pay for the LapBand if I gain more weight. I want to do the surgery because of co-morbidities, not because of weight, and I REFUSE to gain weight to do this. I am blessed, because being forced into being self-pay made me do more research, and I discovered the sleeve surgery. There is no one in my area doing this surgery, including the large university hospital. I can't even begin to imagine what it would cost to do in the states. I had some diagnostics done in preparation to do the LapBand and the costs were staggering. Mexican surgeons have a ton of experience. I am worried about the possibility of developing complications at some later date and running up a big bill back here in the states, and I KNOW my insurance co. would not pay for complications. I don't plan to tell them anything about it, in fact. Told my PCP NOT to chart anything about going to Mexico! Sorry, I'm rambling...

Edie in Wisconsin

[Elisabethsew 50]

Why Mexico? Why not? Many of the American surgeons were trained by Mexican surgeons and many have more experience that American surgeons. The cost is significantly less and, if you choose a top surgeon, you get a longer time in the hospital that you do in the states, see the surgeon in Mexico a LOT more than you do in the states, and get excellent care.

The transportation to and from the airport, a night in a gorgeous resort, 3 nights in the hospital, all pre-op and post-op testing, and medications were included in the price. You get your OR report and chest x-ray and post-op films to take home and get free follow-up care. Why not go to Mexico?

[Malaika 50]

Why Mexico? Why not? Many of the American surgeons were trained by Mexican surgeons and many have more experience that American surgeons. The cost is significantly less and, if you choose a top surgeon, you get a longer time in the hospital that you do in the states, see the surgeon in Mexico a LOT more than you do in the states, and get excellent care.

The transportation to and from the airport, a night in a gorgeous resort, 3 nights in the hospital, all pre-op and post-op testing, and medications were included in the price. You get your OR report and chest x-ray and post-op films to take home and get free follow-up care. Why not go to Mexico?

I agree with you Elisabeth 100%. My experience was absolutely awesome and we're headed back down there in July so my DF can have the surgery too!

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I am really glad I went to Dr. Aceves. I loved being there,

and would love to go back just for fun.

There is no way my band surgeon who is now doing sleeves would have been able to do the surgery for the price I paid in Mexico by a dr. who is extremely experienced with doing revision surgery.