Paid for surgery out of pocket?

SLHarrison · September 21, 2006

Hey Veronda!!

I too was scared of going to Mexico!!! Before I made my decisoin I did a lot of research on the internet and ended up going to Dr Ortiz in TJ because of experience.. My insurance told me to gain about 50lbs then they "might" cover the surgery.. I'm discusted with myself now!! Why on earth would I want to gain more weight!!! Cost was a little over 9K for the surgery, air, shopping money, food for me (DH came with)

As for fills here in Texas.. Look at www.fillusa.com .. Dr Ortiz was one of the co-founders!!! List of centers across the USA who will take Mexico Bands!! I have no regretts for paying myself!!

Best of Luck with your decision!!!

Veronda · September 22, 2006

Sammysue78, wow, it does sound like our situations are similar. I am assuming that since you just had your band placed and it's September that you had it while you were in school...how did recovery go? If I do it, my surgery will be November 1, but then I'm due on rotations on November 6. Let me know how you felt five days out! My surgeon seems to think it won't be a problem at all, but I also hear I could be really out of it. I can't really afford to miss a rotation as it'd put me a year behind. Did you finance or use a credit card? Thanks for sharing!

Sammysue78 · September 22, 2006

Sammysue78, wow, it does sound like our situations are similar. I am assuming that since you just had your band placed and it's September that you had it while you were in school...how did recovery go? If I do it, my surgery will be November 1, but then I'm due on rotations on November 6. Let me know how you felt five days out! My surgeon seems to think it won't be a problem at all, but I also hear I could be really out of it. I can't really afford to miss a rotation as it'd put me a year behind. Did you finance or use a credit card? Thanks for sharing!

Well, I was banded on 9/11 and I really would not have been able to be up on my feet all day for a week. I was able to do a 20 minute walk at the gym yesterday...I wasn't having a lot of belly pain after five-six days (gas) but some port pain for sure. I stopped taking pain meds (the narcotic ones) after two days, went to the occasional children's ibuprofen (chewable). I think you'll be fine, since you don't have to lift people/etc (like a nursing clinical, I never could have done that). If you could just steal a seat every now and then, and ice your port on breaks (it really helps) you'll be fine. I used my credit card, and am paying it back with scholarship payments I get periodically. Worth every penny. Sammysue

apinksoprano · September 28, 2006

Hello just wanted to throw my two cents in since I know exactly where you are coming from. I have terrible insurance to which it completely excludes any type of weight loss surgery. I have taken two years to think about it although I wish I made my decision sooner. I have chosen to do it and self pay. I will have to finance it which is fine but It's a total investment iin my life, health, and future. If you think about the money you have spent either eating out crappy foods, spending countless amounts of money on diet plans and personal trainers as I have. I couldve paid for this surgery 10 times over again. Yes, it is expensive but what is important to you, if you ever need advice just private message me...I know what you are going through....And I have plenty of student loans too but if you work hard enough anything you want in life is possible or else we all wouldnt be here would we??? God Bless

sweet31eve · September 28, 2006

I was also a self pay. I just had the band on the 19th of September. After being denied a year ago from my insurance company, I decided this is crazy...I spend this much on a new car, but not on me? I too have 3 kids to put through college, but with a supportive husband we decided that by me doing this I am extending my life so I can be around to see my kids go to college. I am 32 and have a 13,12, and 10 year old. I am a registered nurse and work 3 days a week so I missed only two days of work to have the surgery. I also am in school for an advanced degree and my instructor and my classmates didn't even know I had it done! (My co-workers did however because I am a nurse in the very operating room where I had my surgery) So not only is the pressure to succeed due to financial sacrifices-I eat lunch everyday with my surgeon. :biggrin1: