DanaInNewOrleans

Hi Aviiva, I must be in the dark about this. I've recently seen a number of posts about negative or unkind members but a lot of it seems to be vague terms. Are there posters here who are spamming? Are there posters here just to make fun? I'm just curious because... well hell, just because I'm nosy! ~Dana

This is just me, but I would be willing to pay (if I was single of course). If you don't want to charge a fee, maybe you could have a "donate" button? It does take a lot of time and effort to develop and run something like that.

The girls in the office told me that it usually takes 10 days. I'm sure they tell patients that so that they have more leeway in how long it takes THEM to file it. Aetna has no grounds to deny me - I meet the BMI and co-morbidity requirement. The reason I'm so anxious about rushing the surgery date is because I am supposed to go to NYC for Christmas with my in-laws and I've gained 50 pounds since I last saw them!! I was hoping to get some pounds off before I had to face them.

Hi Everybody, I'm hoping there are some AETNA Sleevers that wouldn't mind chiming in. My mandatory Aetna 90 day pre-op program will be completed on Nov 14. The office said they submit either that day or the say after. How long does it normally take for Aetna to give approval? Dr. Lavin said he will fit me in immediately even if his schedule is officially full. I'm just trying to get an idea of the time frame for Aetna to approve. Thanks! ~Dana

Hi Ainslee! What a good idea about sorting clothes by size to get ready. I bet we all have a huge range of sizes -- mine range between 14 and 24. Most of the 14, 16, 18s are in huge storage bins in a storage unit. I have a ton!! But sorting them and getting them ready to wear would be a good way to keep the excitement going. Maybe I'll start with the 22s and 20s / 2Xs and then once I actually have surgery in November go to the smaller sizes. Welcome to the Novembers 2012!

Hi OTR -- thanks for the info!

Hi, Sorry you're having a rough time... but try to look at it this way....as VSTers like to say...........you are on the other side! I really think it's a good way to describe this part of the process because most people start the journey months before, sometime years ...I think of surgery day as the halfway point and climbing down to the peaceful valley is the actual goal..... I'm still on the journey up ( 2 more months).... and now you're finally on the journey down the mountain!! I hope that's not too corny? Hope everyday gets better for you!!!!!!!! ~Dana

Congratulations!! How awesome!

Hi! I know exactly what you mean about pictures....I tried to hide when the camera comes out. And if I can't avoid the camera I try to hide myself behind other people in the picture. And if I can do that I just refuse to look at the picture --- because I know it will just make me more depressed! Yea Novembers!! It cannot get here soon enough!

I'm hoping for that week too! My Aetna 90 day program requirement is up Nov 14.... So technically I can go anytime after that but the office told me that it normally takes about 10 days to get the official approval once the paperwork is submitted. Yeah Novembers!

Anybody have any experience with Federal Blue Cross and plastic surgery after weight loss? Do they pay? I hear that they do pay for quite a bit of it but I'd really like to know from someone who had it rather than from third party sources... I know I'm getting waaaaaaaay ahead of myself here since I haven't even had my surgery yet but I really think knowing I can finally look normal (for the first time in my life) would be a huge motivator to me. When I lost 160lbs( I've gained back 60) 12 years ago I was sagging skin everywhere--EVERYWHERE! I was very disappointed that I was still disfigured. I hate to admit this but my husband has never seem me naked with the lights on. He likes to joke by saying he gets glimpses of different parts and then just puts them together in his mind like a puzzle! lol... yes, he is a saint! But I would love to feel comfortable enough to be more at ease. The idea of plastic surgery gives me hope! Sorry if I've shared too much TMI.....

Hi! Was Dr Lavin your surgeon? Are you in New Orleans?

Hi, I'm using a surgeon here in the US (Dr. Lavin in New Orleans). I had just been reading posts for a few months and had not heard one negative comment from the Mexico Sleevers. And just from my limited time here it seemed like there were less complications (minor or major) from the Sleevers who went to Mexico. Of course, that doesn't mean that there really are less complications --- it could be just that they are many more people here who used US surgeons. But based on the experiences here I would not hesitate to go to Mexico if it was my only option.

I'm just curious about the actual physiological reason for chronic nausea weeks after the surgery. I've already stocked up on Prilosec since I am very prone to nausea and have read many posts here that it works wonders. Since Prilosec works I'm guessing it stomach acid that causes the nausea. But why is the new stomach producing so much acid if you are following the correct diet during the healing period? Again, just curious. I'm an information junkie....

Damn, I didn't even get the Gerber right on this.... I thought sure it was a question dealing with baby food not knives!!

Uh....I give up. I tried... I have no idea ...

Welcome Dubai! That IS a long way!!

While doing my research trying to decide if WLS was right for me, I read that the success rate for Bypass and Sleeve was about the same -- 85%. The Sleeve has the benefit of less complications. I'll have to research what exactly "success" means in relation to the study. Is "success" losing 50% of excess body weight or 75% of excess body weight ( or whatever percent). I'm sure I read the statistics but I'll have to go back and look it up. For me personally, I would say GS will be successful if I can get out of the morbidly obese range and get to the overweight range. Heck, at this point I'd be happy to get to the low end of obese! Anything is better than nothing at this point.

I agree with this too. I think extra care and attention is given because of the fact that their followup is limited. I also think the great treatment so many Americans are benefiting from in Mexico is the same treatment that wealthy Mexican citizens receive. In reality Mexico is basically a country of only two socioeconomic classes -- the very wealthy and the very poor. They don't have much of a middle class. Maybe I've got it wrong but I kind of look at it like "Boutique Surgeons" and "Boutique Hospitals/Clinics". Many surgeons and boutique clinics around the world have cashed in on the same business model. It's a win win win -- for American patient (or Canadian or British or whatever) who gets very personalized quality medicine, for the surgeon/staff-- they're making a killing!, and the country itself that benefits from the economics of medical tourists.

I have officially been deemed sane and well adjusted enough to have WLS by my Psych Eval. One more requirement checked off the list!

I agree with starting the pre-op diet NOW. I'm 2 months from my surgery date but I am mostly having 2 Protein Shakes a day and dinner ( Lean Cuisine, chicken breats & Veggie, etc) I stay around 1000-1200 calories a day and have barely lost a couple pounds in 1 month. I've been staying on about 1200-1400 calories a day for the last year and kept gaining a pound here a pound there. I do not want to take any chances --- I don't want my insurance company to deny me because I gained weight. Start now!!

Just curious-- I'm a long way from that point but I was just wondering. I would not want to travel quickly after a major plastic surgery such as breast lift/implant and arm skin removal. I would think you should stay 2 weeks? ~Dana

That is one of the things I noticed about the Mexico Sleevers posts -- they just did not seem to have the same type of discomfort after surgery. They also did not seem to have as much nausea. I don't know -- it's kind of crazy. I have insurance coverage but if money were not an issue for me and I really believe I would have the surgery in Mexico. Although getting on a plane a few days after surgery does not sound very appealing. I've also seen a lot of posts about horrible US hospital staff treatment and care. Most everybody loves their US surgeons -- but again, I'm talking about the overall experience.....and it sure does seem like Mexico wins that criteria. I would definitely consider using a Mexico physician for plastic surgery if I can get to that point. But the plastic surgery seems to have quite a bit more medical needs after surgery -- drains, dressing changes,recovery time in order travel....The only way I would do it is if I could stay 2 weeks..... Do the Mexico hotels that the surgeons use give discounts to those patients?

The closest I will get to skydiving is watching someone else do it!