I had my surgery covered by medi-care, and the closest hospitol to me that accepts medicare is Marina Del Rey Hospital. I love in San Diego, so most of my expenses were for transportation. I started in May, but did not have my surgery until Sept. 26th. This isnt the normal time fraim, but since I have a history of Bipolar, the phsychiatristt at L.A. Bariatrics insisted that I have a physchologist before I have the surgery. I had to see my phsychologist at least five times, and then she would aprove me. I then had to wait, because my mother was healing from a recent surery. The closer the date got, the more nervous I became, but the L.A. Bariatrics team gives thier patients a lot of education before surgery. I had to do a lot of waiting, but the surgery was a success, and the nurses were very attentative and excellent! I was back home before I knew it. It is now the Saturday after my surdery, five day later, and I have some discomfort, but it is not terrible, just bothersome. It is part of the healing process, and I just have to stay positive!! :0) I am rapidly losing my cravings for all sorts of different foods, but I do find myself hungry at times.