chickened out

[Itstime 0]

I went to my pcp today for a check up and wanted to tell her about my decision to have a vertical sleeve surgery. I had brought this up to her last year and she was not supportive at all, felt that diet and exercise would be better for me. My BMI has been near 36 and now 37 today so just kept plugging away last year but kept gaining weight with my cholesterol and tryglicerides going up also. I recently went to a local bariatric surgeon for a consult, who is well known as a good surgeon but has not done as many sleeves as Dr. Aceves. I am a self pay and in the meantime had started blogging on this blog and learned so many things about my concerns and issues involving the surgery and also about Dr. Aceves. I was afraid to tell her about the surgery, period, much less that I was going to mexico for it, but forged ahead and told her that I was going to get the sleeve surgery and told her it was the local surgeon. I know, not truthfull, but surprisingly she did not care at all, said she had recently had a seminar about this with good results. In the meantime I had asked the local surgeon's nurse how many sleeve surgerys he had done and she said 200 to 300. So guess what, who's done more? Well I know she will continue to do my followup, but need to tell her after the fact. I am going to have surgery with Dr. Aceves in December, talked to Nina today. I hope all goes well!!:sad0:

[Malaika 50]

Itstime - welcome to VST. Thank you for sharing your story. As far as telling your PCP that you had your surgery in Mexico, it's not really any of her business -- and as long as she'll continue to treat you, telling her after the fact is no big deal. Heck I wouldn't even tell her if she doesn't ask - and if she does and asks why - then tell her Dr. Aceves had performed more surgeries than the local guy and you wanted one of the best - and be sure to let her know he is FACS. She'll probably be impressed with all the tests he performs and the reports and xrays, etc. he gives you before you leave the hospital.

[cajun 46]

When I saw my internist after the surgery, and told her about Dr Aceves credentials, she seemed impressed. But I would not have cared if she wasn't. It was my choice and I know it was the right one for me. He was impressive, in all respects and I'd do it again.

[Itstime 0]

I have to find out what pre-op tests Dr. Aceves's orders. My local surgeon gave me a paper that had pulmonary function test, stresss test (if not had one in past two years), along with chest x-ray and labs, my age is 62. I don't have any problems that I am aware of but will ask Nina what tests can be done the day before. Don't think stress test or pul func test is part of that. I am self-pay for the surgeon here, sleeve not covered, so I would have to tell my pcp to put a complaint of sob or something to get it covered? That is my only concern, that I miss a health problem that I dont know about. Just being careful.

[*susan* 1,709]

Welcome to the forums. Dr. Aceves will review your medical information that you provided to him. He will order all of the necessary tests based on that information for the day before your surgery. When you get ready to go home, he will provide all of the test results, surgery records, etc., for you to take back with you.

As for your PCP, your body, your choice!

[thinoneday 445]

I went to my pcp today for a check up and wanted to tell her about my decision to have a vertical sleeve surgery. I had brought this up to her last year and she was not supportive at all, felt that diet and exercise would be better for me. My BMI has been near 36 and now 37 today so just kept plugging away last year but kept gaining weight with my cholesterol and tryglicerides going up also. I recently went to a local bariatric surgeon for a consult, who is well known as a good surgeon but has not done as many sleeves as Dr. Aceves. I am a self pay and in the meantime had started blogging on this blog and learned so many things about my concerns and issues involving the surgery and also about Dr. Aceves. I was afraid to tell her about the surgery, period, much less that I was going to Mexico for it, but forged ahead and told her that I was going to get the sleeve surgery and told her it was the local surgeon. I know, not truthfull, but surprisingly she did not care at all, said she had recently had a seminar about this with good results. In the meantime I had asked the local surgeon's nurse how many sleeve surgerys he had done and she said 200 to 300. So guess what, who's done more? Well I know she will continue to do my followup, but need to tell her after the fact. I am going to have surgery with Dr. Aceves in December, talked to Nina today. I hope all goes well!!:drool5:

Well want to have a really good laugh today all? My PCP who might weigh 90 lbs soaking wet, told me when I asked for Phentermine one day, "why? you don't need those, you look fine, your not fat" Ok group, I weigh a whooping 335lbs ok? Yes, I'm 6 feet tall and have the largest bone structure in the world, and have good cholestrol 200, and low bp 116/69 (that is high for me) and blood sugar of 70 or less. . . but really! I'm down right hugh! Then when I brought up the bariatric surgery. . . hahahaha :smilielol5:she said "Oh you definately don't need that!, you look just fine". . I near peed on myself with laughter right then and there. . . she was as solom as ever just watching me laugh. . . makes you wonder about these doctors huh?????:eek:

[Malaika 50]

I have to find out what pre-op tests Dr. Aceves's orders. My local surgeon gave me a paper that had pulmonary function test, stresss test (if not had one in past two years), along with chest x-ray and labs, my age is 62. I don't have any problems that I am aware of but will ask Nina what tests can be done the day before. Don't think stress test or pul func test is part of that. I am self-pay for the surgeon here, sleeve not covered, so I would have to tell my pcp to put a complaint of sob or something to get it covered? That is my only concern, that I miss a health problem that I dont know about. Just being careful.

You don't have to have any tests performed before you go and see Dr. Aceves - all your tests will be performed in Mexicali at Almater Hospital and are included in the Dr. Aceves' price. As Susan said, he'll review your information and determine which tests you need -- standard tests are chest x-ray, ekg, urinalysis and blood work. If more is needed, he'll order that as well. You have your tests the day before surgery, spend the night at a nice resort, then back to the hospital the following morning. It's all quite nice and well planned.

[Malaika 50]

Well want to have a really good laugh today all?:drool5: My PCP who might weigh 90 lbs soaking wet, told me when I asked for Phentermine one day, "why? you don't need those, you look fine, your not fat" Ok group, I weigh a whooping 335lbs ok? Yes, I'm 6 feet tall and have the largest bone structure in the world, and have good cholestrol 200, and low bp 116/69 (that is high for me) and blood sugar of 70 or less. . . but really! I'm down right hugh! Then when I brought up the bariatric surgery. . . hahahaha :smilielol5:she said "Oh you definately don't need that!, you look just fine". . I near peed on myself with laughter right then and there. . . she was as solom as ever just watching me laugh. . . makes you wonder about these doctors huh?????

OMG Thin - did she ask why you were laughing (once you finally quit)? That's crazy -- even my doctor who probably weights 100 lbs dripping wet was supportive.

[Itstime 0]

Thanks for the info, I feel better. I am still waiting on the paperwork to be emailed from Nina, might give her a call again. I am trying to plan ahead for the airlines, work schedule etc. That's funny about your pcp thinoneday! Mine is about 100 lbs also and a vegetarian but she will sit and try to give me advice about healthy eating and I get revved up, lose weight then it all goes to h.....ll and then some, back to worse than I was. I have a young at heart husband, will go anywhere, try anything and trys to make the most of his life. He wants me to come out and play and my world has been shrinking to the recliner. Not good! I feel I can vent here bc a lot of you can relate and have realized your dreams and I am ready to jump in also and improve my remaining years..

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

You are going to love Dr. Aceves and all his staff. Everyone that has gone to him has had a wonderful experience there, and I am sure you will too!

[Oregon Rose 2]

You have the right to choose your surgeon. You also have the right to choose a different primary care physician. Your PCP should support you in your health needs. Perhaps instead of being afraid of your PCP, you should think about the fact that you are the customer and your PCP is either going to provide you with the health care service you need or you will find another. Even if you have company provided health care, you are the one paying the doctor. That health care if a part of you wages.

In another vain, I'm quite sure that many physicians grossly inflate the number of VSGs they have done. VSG has only been around about 9 years. In those 9 years, how many self-pay patients are there? About 2%! To be sure, the earliest pioneers of this procedure have done slightly more than 700 VSGs. None of the Mexican surgeons were pioneers of this procedure. Don't believe everything you hear. To get your business, some people will tell you what you want to hear. Some cultures are more inclined to do this than others.

If you do the math, most surgeons probably do no more than 12 surgeries per week at most. 12 x 50 weeks per year x 2% self-pay VSGs gives you 12 VSGs per year. The remaining surgeries are Bypass or Band. This surgery has only become popular in the last 3 years.

I'm sure some Mexican surgeons (because of price) get a disproportionate share of VSGs because most insurance companies do not want to pay for this surgery. My surgeon (one of the early pioneers) arranged for reduced surgeon, hospital, anesthesiologist, and pathology fees for self-pay patients. This made having surgery in the U.S. much more affordable.

Dr. Aceves does seem to have a very good reputation and has done surgery on many of the people on this web site.

Best wishes to you,

[Oregon Rose 2]

Dear ThinOneDay-

Your doctor sounds incompetent. Doesn't she know all of the adverse health consequences and premature mortality statistics attached to obesity. This isn't about looks (as your doctor implied.) You need a brand new doctor!

I have a lot of knee pain. Although osteoarthritis is inherited, being overweight causes it to accelerate. My knee surgeon told me he wouldn't do knee surgery until I lost weight. How are you supposed to lose weight when you can't exercise or hardly even walk without being in terrible pain? When it hurts to walk, the quality of life is very limited.

I looked very presentable when I was heavier. I will look very presentable when I am thinner. This isn't about looks. I decided to have the surgery because I am tired of living with pain everyday. I am tired of not being able to walk anywhere because the pain is too great. I am tired of all the things I can't do because of my pain. My plan is to get the weight off and have knee replacement surgery. Then I will have my health back. I will be able to live life almost unrestricted. (You can't jog or do any kind of high impact dancing or aerobics after knee replacement. You can do non high impact dancing, aerobics, hiking, etc.)

Here's to getting our health and our lives back! :001_wub:

[Itstime 0]

I feel the same way about physical activity and am so glad my knees are good and will hang in there some more so that I can become much more active. This will help me to lose faster and maintain my weight once at goal. Seventeen years ago I could eat what I wanted bc I was walking every day for an hour. Then remarried, got busy, ate out a lot, wine with dinner, menopause and then 5 lbs here, there and everywhere... I look in the mirror and wonder where did she go?

[pattan59801 0]

I too am having DR Aceves, Dec 29th, have you sent your deposit, do you feel comfortable sending money, I am afraid I will send the money and find out it is a big hokes:scared0:

[cajun 46]

I too am having DR Aceves, Dec 29th, have you sent your deposit, do you feel comfortable sending money, I am afraid I will send the money and find out it is a big hokes:scared0:

I sent a cashier's check as required, and it arrived safe and sound at the address sent to me by Nina. Had my surgery about a month later. It's no hoax! But if you are needing some "first-hand proof", you can go visit the hospital and meet Dr Aceves in advance of making any of your arrangements. He would be glad to meet you, you could meet some of the patients having surgery while you are there, tour the hospital, and become convinced! You'll love him and his staff.

Good luck to you on your path!