RaiderRob

I'm still trying to figure out a surgeon to get my process started which I wouild like to do around Feb or March next year due to financial stuff. I'm 5'11 365 and 31 years old. I'm hoping to hit a goal weight of 200-205 even though that is still pretty high on the BMI chart for a dude who is 5'11, but looking at a picture of me my sophomore year of high school I was 5'7 190 and pretty skinny (for a fat kid). Thanks for getting the man room rolling, and good luck with your surgery.

Sonora CA...Who are you going with as a surgeon? To everybody else thanks for the words/advice, it's much needed.

What's the out of pocket cost for Dr.A? I have Blue Cross PPO of California, and my max out of pocket cost is $3000. I will have around $3500 to $4000 to make sure I can cover any other little things that pop up. Thanks for the reply.

After finding out the cost of going with my original choice of surgeon is not going to work for me, and not being able to find anybody in California that has a lot of VSG expirence, I am thinking about possibly finding a doc that has done a ton of RNY patients with good medical statistics that does VSG and exploring that route. I'm VERY nervous about the thought of going with a doc that doesn't have the VSG experience and statistical history to base my decision on, but if I don't explore this route I would probably have to wait until VSG becomes a more popular main stream surgery covered by insurances, or I don't know???? I'm frustrated because I know this surgery will change my life, but it feels like it is miles out of reach for me I've had a few of the trusted people that I have told about wanting surgery ask why not the RNY, and my answer is that surgery scares the $#@! out of me for some reason. I'm big on gut feelings, and something tells me not to get that one. When I found out about VSG it felt like a million pounds was lifted off my shoulders and that for once in my life I had a chance at being thin. So please any suggestions, or opinions about going with a less experienced doc, or just words of advice or encouragement would definitely help me out. Thanks.

Great job, and thanks for all your helpful posts.

Thanks. Hope the vacation was great!

Has anybody ever has VSG surgery w/ Dr. Felix of Fresno? I know a lot of people who have had RNY and had a great experience, but I just don't know about his experience with VSG.

Any more word about Dr. Jossart? This is very disheartining, after looking at stats for other surgeons in Cali, Jossart and Cirangle are by far the best options. One thing that really bothers me about the LapSF practice is the cost ($5700) of the 5 year aftercare program which they said is not covered by insurance. Were you able to get around that cost? I'm thinking i might need to look for another surgeon ;( Anybody have any suggestions?

What??? I didn't receive anything from this about Dr. Jossart. Thanks for the heads up I need to call and find out whats up.

Great job! Your transformation has been impressive in only 4 months.

How about Cirangle patients?

Anybody sleeved by Dr. Jossart here?

Gratz on being so close to the goal! Thanks for all the welcomes. I'm excited, off to my appointment :thumbup:

I have been lurking for about a month when I had first found out about the VSG surgery. The stories and information here has been sooooo helpful, and inspirational that it convinced me that VSG is the right way to go. I am a 31 year old father of two, who has fought being overweight since I was a kid. I think VSG is going to be the stepping stone I have always needed to get healthy! I have my first consultation tomorrow afternoon with Dr. Jossart, and am hoping to have my surgery after the 1st of next year. Any other Dr. Jossart patients on here? Thanks to all of the posters here that make it an easy choice to look in to this surgery :biggrin0: