African American Sleevers

[Momroxx 75]

Hey everyone' date='

My Doc let me go home today. he can't say I am 100% in the clear but I am tolerating a Stage 2 full liquid diet without any nausea or vomiting . He wants to take a conservative wait and see approach which I am glad about. So keep praying for me that my sleeve heals and functions the way it is supposed to despite it's odd shape:)[/quote']

I bet you are happy to be going home. No nausea is great! I'm sure you will do awesome. Praying for speedy recovery period and off with those pounds!

[MrsDwD 12]

Hey VSG Fam - - Minneapolis, Minnesota is on deck!! New to the site and to this forum, and so glad to have found you all!

I've received my approval from my insurance company within 24 hours of the first submission for pre-auth. Clinic RN called on Friday (11/9) to share the great news and of course I was ecstatic because I was nervous as all get out!! There are so many posts that I have read about insurance denials on various forums, and I was worried that by having a lower BMI with none of the requisite comorbidities that I might be in the denial boat forced to consider a "plan B". I feel blessed to have been approved on the first try and definitely don't take it lightly.

Today (11/12), I am awaiting a call back from the RN at my clinic to firm up/select an official surgery date as I had initially indicated December .... however, over the weekend, my family encouraged me to find out if there is an opening for the end of November and if so -- to pounce on it if the option exists! If the opportunity for surgery is available, I am prepared to begin the pre-op liquid diet now -- otherwise I will be content with a December date too.

Look forward to traveling along the journey together VST - African American Forum -- Shout outs to my sisters and brothers in this SLEEVE universe!

[MrsDwD 12]

Hi All,

First of all, sorry for the long message (I also posted this in the Self-Pay & Mexico forum, but I would like advice from my sistas and brothas here as well). I'm new here--I've actually been lurking for about a week, but I just decided to join. I've been overweight all my life and I've been considering WLS off and on for years, but I just told my bf and my bff about it this week and they aren't being entirely supportive. My bf is supportive of me having the surgery, but he's against me going to Mexico to have it, although he won't (and can't) stop me from doing it. My bff is the person I asked to travel with me and she's not totally against it, but she is adamant that she won't travel to Tijuana because she thinks it's too dangerous, so she'll only go with me if I get it done in Cancun or Puerto Vallarta, which is more expensive (but she also started crying at the thought of me going alone). She also wants me to wait a year and to go on a diet and exercise plan with her (mind you, she's only 30 lbs overweight) to see if I can lose enough weight that I'll change my mind.

I'm a grad student, so I don't have a lot of money, so the added expense of going to Cancun or PV is significant. I'm also 37 and I really felt like I dodged a bullet when I was told after my last checkup that I don't have diabetes--diabetes runs on both sides of my family and my mom was diagnosed as diabetic in her 40s, so I feel like a ticking time-bomb. I could actually give a grocery list of all of the obesity-related health issues that run in my family, which is the main reason I don't want to wait anymore. Since I am in school (and spending the winter holidays with loved ones), the earliest that I can get it done is spring break (end of March), which I think is my preference. I have also considered waiting until summer break, just in case I need more than a few days to recuperate, but I would want to do it at the beginning of the summer. If I wait until the end of the summer, I might be able to talk my bff into going with me since that would be a 9-month wait from now, which is sort of close to a year--I am not willing to wait exactly a year because I'll be in the same situation with being in school and unable to go until the end of March. The problem is, even if I wait until the end of summer to get her to go, I will wind up having to pay at least $1500-$2000 more (surgery and airfare) to go to someplace that she feels comfortable. So my dilemma is: do I go in March (to TJ) and hope that I don't have any issues returning to school the following week, do I go in June (to TJ) when I have more time to heal without having my school/work commitments, or do I go in August (to Cancun or PV) when I hope my bff would go with me, although this means a lot more money? I mostly feel okay with going alone until I start to think about what happens if something does go wrong, so any advice and/or words of encouragement would be appreciated.

PS. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who just got sleeved or are just about to, as well as with everyone else, no matter where you are in your journey!

Icon23 -- It sounds like you are going to self finance the surgery, but I wasn't sure if you have medical insurance that will (or will not) cover VSG allowing you to get it done in the area where you live? Either way, from your scenario posted above, I would say that you are the only one who can best determine a time frame that is most suitable and cost effective for you in addition to weighing in the factors that are equally as important (i.e. whether your bff can join you in Tiajuana, MX or whether you would allow her to redirect you to a location of her choosing)....

Other questions you may want to double back on are:

1) Who are you doing the surgery for (yourself or your bff)?

2) Do you know any of the surgeons in the areas your friend is trying to redirect you to go to?

3) Are you willing to pay more for travel expenses to another location that your bff wants you to travel to?

Wishing you peace of mind with whatever your decisions are. Blessings!!

[bajanqueen70 47]

Hey VSG Fam - - Minneapolis' date=' Minnesota is on deck!! New to the site and to this forum, and so glad to have found you all!

I've received my approval from my insurance company within 24 hours of the first submission for pre-auth. Clinic RN called on Friday (11/9) to share the great news and of course I was ecstatic because I was nervous as all get out!! There are so many posts that I have read about insurance denials on various forums, and I was worried that by having a lower BMI with none of the requisite comorbidities that I might be in the denial boat forced to consider a "plan B". I feel blessed to have been approved on the first try and definitely don't take it lightly.

Today (11/12), I am awaiting a call back from the RN at my clinic to firm up/select an official surgery date as I had initially indicated December .... however, over the weekend, my family encouraged me to find out if there is an opening for the end of November and if so -- to pounce on it if the option exists! If the opportunity for surgery is available, I am prepared to begin the pre-op liquid diet now -- otherwise I will be content with a December date too.

Look forward to traveling along the journey together VST - African American Forum -- Shout outs to my sisters and brothers in this SLEEVE universe! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> [/quote']

Congratulations! Let us know how you make out with your date selection...

[MrsDwD 12]

G'mornin' AA VSGers:

My WLS is for December 3, 2012 @ 7:30 a.m. is confirmed!!! That's just around the corner ya'll. WOOT WOOT

I'm at my primary clinic this morning to do pre-op testing....and will begin pre-op liquid diet on 11/19/12 (over the Thanksgiving Holiday; ugghh). However, the excitement of being sleeved outweighs the ugghh!

Peace & Blessings

Dawn

[HeadMistress 35]

So aetna denied me!! :'( I cried and yelled and cursed but whats that going to help? I need a two year weight history and I have 14 days to get one. So my surgeons office is calling faxing the ER's ive visted in that time frame so im praying I get approved upon receiving that information... ive come to far to give up... im not fat by choice I have pcos that got jump started when I took the depo shot... I dont have an issue with food but the hormonal imbalance has cause me to gain and I ended up with diabetes I cant have kids, I have one and thats by the grace of god. I have facial hair and I cant live like this any more... please pray for me.

[icon23 273]

I pray that all goes well for you. If necessary and if you can afford it, you might consider self-pay in Mexico.

[HeadMistress 35]

I pray that all goes well for you. If necessary and if you can afford it' date=' you might consider self-pay in Mexico.[/quote']

Thanks and I live in texas my mom is a nurse she takes care of the people who had there surgery in mexico and there not doing well... I want to stay in the states. I pay my insurance company they take money out my check weekly ive paid my deductible and they want to deny me... I will fight tooth and nail I will go to court if I have to. I didnt have insurance back for the time they are requesting... so if I didn't have insurance why would I go to the dr.. I wouldn't. I had got laid off and everything. I dont think its fair nor right for them to deny me what clearly is written in my insurance.

[LezzieLez 180]

My date is nov 14th in Mexico as well with dr Garcia. I'm very nervous as well but I know we'll be okay...and I'm definitely EXCITED for this new body of mine that's bee in hiding lol

I see your surgery is tomorrow!! Congrats and let us know that you are ok!

[LezzieLez 180]

Hi All,

My bff is the person I asked to travel with me and she's not totally against it, but she is adamant that she won't travel to Tijuana because she thinks it's too dangerous, so she'll only go with me if I get it done in Cancun or Puerto Vallarta, which is more expensive (but she also started crying at the thought of me going alone).

Your friend seems a bit selfish - it's not about her, it's about you! "Time waits for no-one" - what happens if you decide to hold out and you find out you are diabetic or have a heart attack (god forbid) in May? Is she willing to pay the difference for going to a location of HER choice? You may want to find a sleeve buddy - and go alone.

Since I am in school (and spending the winter holidays with loved ones), the earliest that I can get it done is spring break (end of March), which I think is my preference. I have also considered waiting until summer break, just in case I need more than a few days to recuperate, but I would want to do it at the beginning of the summer.

There you go! Go for your preference since it is about YOU!

If I wait until the end of the summer, I might be able to talk my bff into going with me since that would be a 9-month wait from now, which is sort of close to a year--

Once again, this is about YOU!!

I mostly feel okay with going alone until I start to think about what happens if something does go wrong, so any advice and/or words of encouragement would be appreciated.

This I can totally agree with. I am going alone and that is my only worry. Is there someone else you can ask to go with you?

[icon23 273]

Thank you for your encouraging words. Also, congrats on being 100 days away from a new beginning! I know it seems like a long time (I'm 128 days out), but it will be here before you know it.

I agree that my friend is being selfish and I'm pretty much over it because this is about me and my health. I am comfortable in my decision to go alone, but I'm also looking for sleeve buddies (I decided to go March 21-26). I've decided to stop worrying about something going wrong because my faith is strong and I believe in the power of positive thinking (I'm sure I'll have last minute jitters, but they won't outweigh this very positive decision). Also, there is so much support and inspiration here that I don't feel alone in this journey. I am really grateful to have found this website and the support network I'm growing--everyone has really helped me to feel okay about putting myself first and ignoring the haters.

[LezzieLez 180]

Great!! I am sure you will find someone on here having the surgery the same week. Did you choose a surgeon? As time gets closer, there will be more people getting it done around that time surfacing!

100 days is too far for my liking, but I am out of onederland finally... tee hee *giggles*

[icon23 273]

Great!! I am sure you will find someone on here having the surgery the same week. Did you choose a surgeon? As time gets closer, there will be more people getting it done around that time surfacing!

100 days is too far for my liking, but I am out of onederland finally... tee hee *giggles*

I'm going with Dr. Lopez and my coordinator even said that she'll hook me up with people getting surgery around the same time, but as you say, I have to wait until my date gets closer for them to surface. *Praying for patience*

[New York Beauty 20]

So aetna denied me!! :'( I cried and yelled and cursed but whats that going to help? I need a two year weight history and I have 14 days to get one. So my surgeons office is calling faxing the ER's ive visted in that time frame so im praying I get approved upon receiving that information... ive come to far to give up... im not fat by choice I have pcos that got jump started when I took the depo shot... I dont have an issue with food but the hormonal imbalance has cause me to gain and I ended up with diabetes I cant have kids' date=' I have one and thats by the grace of god. I have facial hair and I cant live like this any more... please pray for me.[/quote']

Sorry to hear that. Ask your ob/gyn or your primary doctor for weights within the last 2years. If you are getting your shots every 3 months they may have something on file.

[keya34 46]

I hope this helps I was worried about getting approved also. I used my weights from my obgyn she is the only one I really go to for every thing no matter what for a long time. Anyways she sent a letter in with no actual numbers when I found out I freaked i just knew i was getting denied but .... I didn't so try going that route and best of luck to you.