Random Questions

[mb_11 6]

This is my first post. I have been reading a lot about this. I have no idea when I will be able to get the surgery because last week I went to the seminar offered through a big Scott & White hospital, only to find that my insurance, which is Scott & White, doesn't cover the surgery there. I live in the Austin, TX area, and would have to go to Dallas to have the surgery covered.

1. I am tempted to go to Mexico, but the reason I probably won't is because I may need post-op care. How do you get that if you had the surgery in Mexico?

2. My family doctor told me "Don't go to Mexico!" The only benefit to going to Mexico is that I could have the surgery a lot sooner. No hoops to jump through.

3. It will be cheaper with insurance than actually going to Mexico -- my insurance estimator online suggested roughly $4000 to have the surgery through insurance. If I were to go to Mexico I'd still have to pay for plane ticket to San Diego for my husband and myself so we're looking at around $7000 to have the surgery in Mexico.

4. Anyone else have to travel to a different city? I can't believe I have to go all the way to Dallas, when I live in the greater Austin, TX area.

5. I need to have the RNY bypass because I have GERD pretty bad and sleep apnea. BMI around 41.

OK so, sort of a question post, and sort of a rant. Hey, I'm new here!

[highfunctioningfatman 2,675]

I had the sleeve in Mexico at Trinity Medical and was EXTREMELY happy! The cost was $4400 and the plane tickets from Southern Oregon to San Diego was $474 for my wife and I. They treated us like family. Good luck finding that in the states.

[Havasumoma 250]

I have to travel to the nearest big city in my state, 3.5 hours away. Gotta do it.

Sent from my LGLS992 using the BariatricPal App

[James Marusek 5,244]

It is 195 miles from downtown Austin to downtown Dallas. All of the drive is on IH-35. The drive takes approximately three and a half hours on a good traffic day and can take five hours if there is very poor weather or construction/roadworks. Waco is the half way point.

I traveled around 102 miles each way for my surgery. In my case the trips up to the hospital were broken down into 4 groups. First my insurance company required that I undergo a 6 month program for a medically monitored weight loss program that included diet and exercise. That meant one trip per month for 6 months. [in your case the insurance requirement may be different or you might do this locally.] Second there were several trips that included the initial consult, the psychological evaluation, almost a day of pre-op testing and almost a day of training. The third group was the trip for the surgery. The fourth group was the post-op reviews. All-in-all I was not bothered by these trips. I combined them with shopping trips or visits with my daughter who lives in the area. The only negative was the construction that was going on near the hospital during this time cause a lot of traffic and congestion and I hate congestion.

Overall, my RNY surgery was very effective at correcting my health problems. So I would do it over again in a heartbeat.

[BayougirlMrsS 3,934]

@@mb_11 Its only 2.5-3 hours Drive... I would do the Dallas option. Plus if you know your date far enough in advance a Southwest flight to and from is only like 200 bucks.

My sister in law had LB surg there and had a great experience, but when she started having issues it became a problem. No doctor in the states would see her. I had to talk my dr into seeing her, which he did as a favor for me. She ended up having it removed and another band put in, then that one taking out and having GB.... which she is now gaining all that weight back too. Ughhh.

Good luck with what you choose

[mb_11 6]

Thanks for the replies! I did some more research and it looks like Scott and White won't cover the surgery at all. So now I am looking into the Mexico option for RNY. I would DEFINITELY not mind at all driving to Dallas if my insurance would cover it. I love to drive and listen to audiobooks!

Edited October 10, 2016 by mb_11

[BayougirlMrsS 3,934]

@@mb_11 I would still do more research. Have you looked into True results in houston? I have had a few friends go there.

[mb_11 6]

@@mb_11 I would still do more research. Have you looked into True results in houston? I have had a few friends go there.

No I haven't heard of True results. Why do you suggest them - are they cheaper for self-pay clients?

Thanks! :-)