Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Self Pay Now or Wait and See?



Recommended Posts

Hello Friends. I am a long-time follower of the site and want to first start off by thanking all of you for your posts and insights. Here's my deal:

After months of consideration and internet research, I pulled the trigger and went to a seminar here in the Bay Area for a local doctor. Due to the holidays, I cannot get in to see him until Jan 22 for a first appointment. I have a BMI of 44.1 and my insurance does cover the surgery (Anthem PPO - $3500 out of pocket). However, given all the research I've done, I would be lucky if I got a surgery date in early March if I met all of the requirements.

On the other hand, I am totally open to going to Tijuana for surgery. I am in contact with both Dr. Garcia and Dr. Kelly's offices and could get sleeved as early as the first week of January. The price difference would be ~$1000 plus I will have to coordinate aftercare w/ my PCP.

I am 100% sure that this is the right thing for me after being obese for the last 21 years, but now I am getting antsy. I'm home alone for the holidays so I think this would be the perfect time to do my 2-week pre-surgery diet. What do you guys think? Should I go for it or am I being too hasty?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It's up to you. I was sleeved in Tijuana and I loved the experience. Either waiting until March or doing it now is really just a matter of what you want.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think Mexico is a great option, but follow up and heaven forbid, help if you have a complication can be more difficult. I don't know the right answer for you, but I would wait and stay local since you do have the insurance. It is hard to be patient but you can start working on habit changes etc...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If it only gets you in a couple of months early, I would stick with the local surgeon. Your post-op care will be much easier, with nothing out of the ordinary to coordinate. I think it if was going to be 6 months or a year, then I might consider it, but not to save myself one or two months of waiting.

~*~ Find me on YouTube: Trisha's Sleeve Story ~*~

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

    • Sandra Austin Tx

      I’m 6 days post op as of today. I had the gastric bypass 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×