az1369

Hello!

I just joined the group and have been busy reading everyone's posts and soaking up all the great and generous information provided. I am newly considering VSG with Dr. Alvarez, found out about it researching the lap band(my cousin was urging me to have it done after her lap band success) and watching his youtube videos. I just cant get my mind around the idea of having that foreign device willingly implanted and the ensuing "maintenance" so now after learning about VSG I have myself completely talked out of it! I'm currently trying to gain my husbands support and researching finances. I've never been much of a money saver and know it will take me FOREVER to save up $9000, especially since I'm currently unemployed! I've already been shot down for the lapband procedure by my insurance here in the states, so I know VSG surgery in Mexico is not going to be approved either..I've read a lot of folks get it financed and the interest rates and terms vary a lot. Just wondering what kind of monthly payments people have?? Also...am I correct in that some people have applied for credit through Dr. Alvarez's website, been approved, then denied credit?? Craziness....

Hey just so you know...I am financing, and I went thru the MedToGo international financing site. It specifically approves for surgeries in Mexico. I was approved in 5 days....here are the terms they gave me Specific to Mexico: must pay 24% of total requested as down payment, then 4 years at 16% interest....enough to pay over the minimal payment to cut some of the interest off. They were very quick in response, and of the 24% you put down, you get about 80% of it back via check when the loan is paid off.

worth looking into to. Just do some research for Lenders that Specifically do surgeries in Mexico and you can find something that will work for you. :-)

Anyone else scheduled for Oct 8?

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I'm scheduled 10/8 with Dr. Alvarez in Mexico :-)

Would u mind sharing d site to have as a backup. Im getting very excited in making this decision a reality.

I did a search for Medical financing Mexico:

The one I chose was MedToGo international medical financing. I am still waiting to hear back, and their application was a lot more involved than the one from the Endobariatric site.

Hello everyone. Had surgery yesterday 8/31 with Dr Alverez. Everything has been very smooth and him and staff have been great. No nausea at which I am very thankful for. I think I

Am having little spasms or could be gas pains not sure wich with my stomach occasionally. Very impressed for this being my first surgey in my life how easy this has been. I was one of those those that was sceptical during my intuial search for a dr in Mexico. My mom was so bedide herself and worried that something was going to go wrong and was coming back with missing organs. lol. I would recommend 110% for anyone considering a Dr in Mexico.

So happy everything went well!!!! This is going to be my first ever surgery too, that's what I'm most nervous about. Good luck on your journey! Keep us posted on your progress.

I did fill out all the paperwork then they denied me. They will have to know he is in Mexico and not the USA. He also has to sign off on the paperwork so they will find out. Maybe u should call them and tell them before it's too late ? Just tell them ur story . After the first fail I tried the other company on his site and samething ended up happening so I saved my money and paid cash. I wish u the best. Anything I can help with let me know.

I found another medical finance lender yesterday, that specifies international surgeries with Mexico bariatric on the list. I should hear back from them today. Surgery is in just over 1 month so I want to make sure everything's all set.

That's weird because I did apply through their site and when they found out he's a surgeon in mx they denied me the 5000 that I was originally approved for.

I have to finish the whole process on 9/8. Did you fill out all the paperwork? I haven't seen all of it yet. So, who knows, once I complete it, they may end up denying the whole thing. The didn't ask me about the surgeon. I figured that was included in his provider number that got submitted with the application. I suppose I could do a personal loan from my bank...I just don't want to deplete my savings.

Thank you!!! I will call Susan in a bit and call my bank to the do the transfer. Definitely seems the easiest, being in CT. Thanks again ladies! Hope your both feeling Awesome!! :-)

Sweetsusie: Did you use the financing thru their site? When I talked to the guy on the phone he asked me where the surgery would take place.....I have to be honest with you....I played dumb and told him I wasn't sure, and that I had to fly into San Antonio and drive to Eagle Pass. Never brought up Mexico. So they probably would have denied it.

I sent Susan an email yesterday, so I can arrange to send my deposit off. I was planning to Western Union wire it to them....then found out it was going to cost me an extra $100 fee to Western Union!!!

Anyone that has had their surgery: How did you do your down payment? I don't want to ask a dumb question, but they said I could do a bank check, money order, or wire transfer. If I do the bank check (which will be free from my bank to get), how is it getting to them??? Like I said, I know it is a dumb question, but am I seriously mailing this thing to Mexico? I just want to make sure they get my $1000 with No Issues! :-)

If u don't mind me asking, who did u finance with? Just looking at my options my credit is not that great

I used the financing section on Dr. A's Endobariatric site. You have the option of having someone else on the loan. My husband has perfect credit while mine is in the fair to good range. They may still approve with poor credit, but the interest rate would be higher. My suggestion in that case: pick the longest term, that would mean smaller payments that you could hopefully pay extra on, which cuts the interest you pay dramatically.

It says they will get back to you within 24 hours. I filled it out at 8am EST, and a gentleman called me at 12pm same day with the terms and conditions.

Just an FYI: you have to make your first payment 45 days after processing. I did it too early, so they are holding the papers until 9/8, 30 days out from surgery, then they will email them to me to sign, and scan a copy of my drivers license to them. The man was really nice and answered all my questions. I think the actual lender was Ameri-Health. But it is the US option on Dr A's site.

Only my parents and husband know I am having WLS. To be honest with you, I never thought of it as trying to hide it or ashamed of my choice in solving this lifelong issue of my weight. But those are the only people in my life that know how miserable my weight has made me, so I felt it was important to share my decision with them.

To everyone else, I'm a really upbeat, funny, confident, care-free person..................but my husband and parents know how long I have been unhappy with my weight and body image, and how low my self esteem really is because of it.

If people ask me after I lose the weight, How I did it, I have no problem telling them what has finally worked for me. And they can make whatever comments or decisions on our friendship that they would like...family included. I've had a great support system throughout life, but finally having this surgery is a way for me to be my own support system and finally live the life I have always wanted and know I deserve.

Thanks for posting this! I have been wondering the same thing myself. I'm scheduled for 10/8, and really didn't want to deal with FMLA paperwork for work, so I am using a vacation week, so I will be back to a pretty strenuous job 9 days after surgery. I also horseback ride a lot...3 - 4 times per week. I figured I would take 3 weeks off from that. But I'm more worried that if I'm feeling good at work, I might just go to do something without thinking and injure myself. I'm always on the move, so it's going to take a lot to slow done and ask other people to do stuff for me for a while.

@az1369

Thankyou,i hope it all works out. have you had your surgery yet?

I am scheduled for 10/8....5 weeks and 3 days away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I kick myself sometimes for not doing it sooner, as I would have liked to have children by now......but I just try to tell myself that everything happens for a reason.

I am very exicted about getting sleeved, and have slowly been trying to change my habits leading up to surgery. Which must be working somewhat, since this morning I was down 6 lbs. woo hoo....would like to lose another 10 before surgery or even better 14, so I can come out of surgery in Onederland!

Awesome! So happy you are feeling good and posting some great numbers. I can't wait to go see Dr A. and be another one if the success stories :-) keep us posted on your progress.

Awesome! Hope your nausea goes away quickly :-) Rest up.

I was sleeved by Dr. Alvarez and did a 14 day preop liquid diet. I messed up a few times and I told him, he told me to stick to the plan because I don't want to ruin my surgery and it not happen. I stuck to it strictly after he said that. I Honestly would only do liquids and listen to Dr. A, it's hard but u can do it!

Hey sweetsusie! How are you feeling? After you talked to him, how many solid days did you stick strict to it?

My surgery is with Dr Alvarez on 10/8, and I am paying half and financing half. His cash price is 8700 and Full financing is 9150. They explained that if you split it somehow... add 4.99% to the financed portion, add the two together and that is your total cost of surgery. I used the financing thru his website, and they base your interest rate off your credit. Luckily my husband has perfect credit, and mine has improved substantially over the last several years, so it was decent. Other than our house, we are pretty debt free, so I don't mind financing it. I just don't want to wait any longer.

Thank you everyone. I'm off Friday, so I will talk to Dr. Alvarez's office and let them know the situation. I would prefer to just start the following day and do 10 days clear liquid. Kinda worried how my stomach might feel if I end up eating during the meeting after 2 days of clear liquids......definitely not the place you want to suddenly start to not feel well

Oh no! What happened with bcbs? I have federal bcbs, waiting to submit

I have a unique bcbs plan thru my company where they particulary exclude bariatric surgery.......but my company approves 50 surgeries per year. I qualified for the surgery under the company plan, which took about 4 months to sort out, because they couldn't get it to show in the bcbs system that I was approved. A lot of going back and forth between the patient advocate and the insurance company....and of course the story always changes when you get someone different on the phone!

Finally once it was all sorted out, they told me I had to have a year of formal "coaching" to lose weight prior to surgery. I've been wanting this for years, so I just said screw it...I'm not putting it off another year, and started my research on self-pay.

Hi Alex, North Stamford Ct here. Having surgery at Norwalk Hospital by Dr Craig Floch early Oct, no date yet.

Great choice! I was originally going to Dr Neil Floch, but had nothing but issues with my BCBS insurance thru my work. The earliest appointment he could get me in for the New London office was 10/16......so I got to call the other day, and tell them "Thank you, but I will be 8 days post-op by then!"

They are both awesome surgeons, and I'm sure you will be very successful :-) Keep me posted!!

I hoping for the same! I work about 50+ hours per week, alot of walking, and physical work. I just can't afford to be fatigued! Hope I am lucky.

Great idea! I so hope they have soup!! My back up plan....smuggling a Jello snack pack in my handbag and eating that! haha

Hey everyone! I'm Alex, from CT, and my date of surgery is October 8th in Mexico with Dr. Alvarez. So excited, and nervous. I'm married...no kids yet (our dogs are our children :-) I drink SO much Water with my meals, so I am trying my best to eliminate drinking while eating which has been the hardest. And only my parents and husband know I am getting sleeved......

@JDS i am 28yrs old, i told myself i will not go into my 30's being this weight so this is crucial and i agree with you this a big decision because it is irreversible.

I was just worried about side effects, also the fact that i dont have any children and would like to have some and im scared if this surgery would effect that. just alot of thoughts.

I have been researching WLS for over 4 years! I wish I had the strength when I was 28 to truly pursue it. Personally I just felt like a failure, and wasn't ready to throw in the towel on fixing this lifelong issue myself. But I have accepted that I can lose all the weight in the world on my own, but I will always gain it back plus some.

My husband and I don't have any kids yet, and I really made him a part of this decision because we would have to wait 18-24 months to start trying. Even though some do get pregnant earlier on, all depends on your body. Keep in mind, being overweight makes any pregnancy more high risk, and it's harder to conceive for some because of the weight. A healthy Mom is the first step to a healthy baby :-)

There are times in life when you need to put You first. Remember that, and you will always make the best decision for You. I wish you the best on your journey.

Ok, so I have a question.....or more so a scenario that I am going to encounter in a few weeks and wondering how to handle it....

I have an all day business meeting, during which the higher ups will be evaluating me for my next promotion. They Always serve a huge lunch spread during these meetings as they tend to last 7-9 hours.

I am going to be on Day 3 of my pre-op Clear liquids. Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyone have any ideas for how to skirt the questions of why am I not eating anything? Keep in mind they are truly judging your every move. Do I say I'm having a surgerical procedure and need to be on Clear Liquids?

Or do I just suck it up, serve myself some salad (I can at least be good if I'm going to eat) and then right back on the clear liquids?

Dr. Alvarez wants me to do a 14 clear liquid diet prior to my 10/8 surgery....technically my BMI calls for 7 or 14 days...(I'm a 41.4, so 41 calls for 7 day, 42 calls for 14)....should I just start it the day after the meeting, so I don't run the risk of being low on energy and hunger crazy when I am trying my hardest to impress these people for my promotion? That would still give me 10 days on clear liquids pre-op.

Truly appreciate any/all suggestions.....

Thank you!! And to think my next appt with my Bariatric surgeon in CT is on October 16th....well I'll be 8 days post-op by the time that appt would roll around!!

Gotta love the health insurance industry in the good old USA. Just happy that this battle will soon be over.

Best of luck with your surgery! Maybe I'll see you in passing down there :-)