momokev

Thanks for this! I love these things, glad to have a version I can enjoy after sleeving! Lisa

I'm so glad this thread was started! I am 23 days away and have been really stressing. I've been trying to keep my attention focused on planning for it. Heck, I've already packed! The time is just dragging! I, like you, thought perhaps I should leave the forum for now, to force my attention else where, but I just can't seem to do that. I'm even neglecting my farm on facebook I love the idea of freezing the meals and cleaning out the clothes. I'm going to get busy on this! I think it's amazing how supportive the folks are here! Glad I stumbled onto this site!! Lisa

Mine, I did expedited in Boone, NC at the licence plate bureau. I bit the bullet and payed $170. I was in Boone for a watercolor workshop anyway, and they opened at 8 am, no appointment necessary. I went the same afternoon to the post office in Statesville to get my husband's as he had an appointment and had every intention of getting his expedited as well, but they wanted an additional $40 in shipping, beyond the extra $60 for expedited. I know it sounds silly, but I just felt like they were ripping me off and I couldn't bring myself to pay it. I even argued with her, but she said we had to pay the extra shipping if we wanted it expedited. I wish he had just gone with me to Boone. Lisa

Gotta love that fortune cookie!! Lisa

So happy you are home, safe and sound! The trip home is one of the things that scares me. Keep us updated on your recovery! Let the weight loss begin!! Lisa

Looks like we're going to Mexico the same day! I am Dr Aceves on 9/15 Lisa

Wow, so sorry this happened to you! This reinforces my decision to switch to Dr Aceves. I detailed it in my blog if you care to read about it, but I just had a bad feeling because Trish was very inconsistent. When she told me they'd lost the ability to take credit cards due to "disputed charges", but go ahead and wire the $1500 deposit, she was sure it would be worked out by my surgery date. I just couldn't take that chance. After reading your post, I know I made the right decision. Lisa

Whew, I hope! Did you expedite it or just do it regular? Lisa

I remember reading that it wasn't a problem to travel back into the US if you have your driver's license, birth certificate and a receipt where you applied for your passport. Well, I applied for my passport today (my surgery is Sept 15th with Dr Aceves), but they didn't give me a receipt! He said I can go on line in a few days and print off that it's "processing". Is that the receipt that people are referring to? Someone please say yes, or I'm going to panic! Lisa

So wonderful!! I'm thrilled everything went well! Lisa

I look forward to reading it! Thanks for the reassurance! I must admit, I'm a little nervous, but I try not to dwell on it. I'm focusing on the big picture... I'm going to loose this weight and get my life back!! Lisa

I also just switched from Dr Kelly to Dr Aceves! AND I moved up my surgery date as well. I'm now going Sept 15. Good luck, I will be praying for you!! Lisa

Making the decision as to which doc to pick was pretty tough. Since my insurance doesn't cover the sleeve, going to Mexico is my only option. Once I began to investigate, two doctors seemed to be the fore runners, Dr Ramos Kelly and Dr Aceves. At first, Dr Kelly was the way I planned to go. My daughter was completely sold on his credentials, as was I. I have no doubt he is a wonderful physician. I contacted Trish and began the process. That's when the doubts began to creep in. The pre op form she emailed me had another person's info on it. I found this off, especially since I am a nurse and HIPPA is so well ingrained in my brain. I understand this is Mexico and no such thing exist, so I erased the info and filled in my own, respecting her privacy as much as possible. It ask for my flight information, so I booked them so I could include the info. Next she sent me the confirmation letter with instructions on wire transferring the deposit. This letter address to a different person, dated 2009, and quoted a price of $9850! Quite a shock since I was told $5560. I emailed her, explaining the mix up, and she said "oops" and SENT THE EXACT SAME FORM AGAIN!!! This time I call her. She said yes, the price was still $5560, go ahead and wire the deposit of $1500, and the balance had to paid by cashier's check on arrival. I reminded her we had discussed that I was using my flexible spending card for $5000. She then informs me that they aren't able to take credit cards at this time, since there have been people disputing the charges. Well, I wish I had an extra $5000 sitting around collecting dust, but unfortunately I don't! If I can't use my flex spending (or at least a credit card), then I can't have this surgery! So then she tell me to go ahead and wire the deposit, she's sure they will be able to take credit cards by the time I get there. This entire process is requiring an enormous leap of faith for me. First I'm having surgery to cut out part of my stomach. Next, I'm going to a foreign country and being operated on by a man I have never met! Wiring money for a deposit, hoping I will be able to use my card after I have flown all the way to Mexico is more faith than I have. Nina at Dr Aceves' office has been wonderful! I have always gotten everything I asked for, she is excellent at her job. I can't wait to meet her and all the rest of the staff Sept 14th!

Changed my date! Now Sept 15the with Dr Aceves Lisa

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I am planning to have my surgery in Mexico with Dr Aceves on Nov 5th. I have $5000 on my flex spending card that I plan to use for the procedure. Nina wants me to go ahead and send the card to her to make sure it will work (sometimes they won't "swipe".) I am concerned it will become lost and then I will be up the creek. Has anyone else used a flex spending account to pay for VSG in Mexico? Should I send the card on to Nina? Thanks for helping out a newbie! Lisa