HoosierGirl

Congrats....February 5 is right around the corner....very exciting!

You guys ROCK - thanks for all the great information. Glad your experiences were positive and your recovery smooth. Will be having my VSG on February 4 with Dr. Ariel Oritz as well. Really appreciate your tips for bringing books and for your companion. All the best as you continue your weight loss!

GREAT info - thanks for taking the time to put all this together! Sounds like you had a great experience....hope to be as fortuante as you!

I paid the "expedite" fee to get my Passport book and Passport card sooner. (I have BIG travel plans as a reward for weight loss, thus the Passport book!) Paid the deposit with the surgeon, got the Passport, bought the plane tickets. Now all of that is done, all I have to do is sit around and obsess/freak-out about it all. Oh, but will begin the enjoyment of my pre-op diet on Monday.

In my VSG dreams, everyone is naked. The whole surgical team. Oh sure, they have on masks and gloves, but otherwise, buck ass naked.

Wonderful update! Glad you are doing well!

YESS!!!! Thanks for the update! Rest, relax and let the losing begin. Ha!

I'm having surgery on February 4....but would love to keep in touch! Your diet and grumpiness will be worth your while when January 28 rolls around!

Indy to San Diego was $280 on Southwest.

ICON - super super excited for you! Prayers for a smooth surgery and recovery! All the best to you. Will be visiting Dr. Ortiz Feb. 4 too!

Oh I know what you are dealing with! Started my pre-op diet Monday too. I don't feel mean per se....that would take energy that I just don't have right now! I've been tired and dragging so far this week. And it will be worth it on January 28!

Edwina - Shelley (aka HoosierGirl)! Glad to see you positing here! Tons of good info. Can't wait to hear all about your surgery my friend! Hugs!

BeccaDawn - SO GLAD you are doing well! Looking forward to all the details as I will be having my surgery with Dr. Ortiz in 19 short days! All the best as you recover. Hugs - Shelley

Improve fertility

Cannot wait to buy clothes that don't have a W in the size. Bring on regular size clothes!

Bariatric surgery is covered by my health insurance. (Blue Cross Blue Shield of PA). I met all the insurance requirements. Completed the bariatric program. BMI over 35 with one co-morbidity. I was denied because my hyper-tension is controlled with two meds. Very disappointing. And took 8 months to be declined So, I decided the insurance company is simply a business. They don't know me. And I am going to make decisions about me and my health. Thus, I am going to Tijuana for surgery on Feburary 4. (Up yours Blue Cross!) Good for you and your decision and being pro-active!!! All the best as you start the process!

AmandaRae....you've got this! Contact your coordinator and talk with them about this. Make sure they understand it's a big deal for you and ask them how it's handled. Hopefully that will bring you some measure of peace. Before/during/after the surgery, you will be hooked up to many monitors - including blood oxygen monitoring on your finger. You won't be oxygen starved, if there is an issue, they will address it. You are going to ROCK this surgery. Seriously, you are so prepped and knowledgable, you could probablly ASSIST with a surgery! Ha! Second guessing is normal - I know I have a lot of "inner discussion" with myself. Plus you have a few weeks to go. Sending good vibes your way. I'm glad you are so well informed and on top of all this...you are going to have a great surgery outcome. Hugs to you my friend!

Excellent questions. I think both Aceves and Alvarez are excellent doctors. Like you, I was not so sure about the whole "surgery coodinator" thing. So, I found some other doctors that do not use surgery coordinators. You can contact Dr. Pompa at LIMARP or Dr. Oritiz at Obesity Control Center directly - both without a coordinator. Dr. Pompa and Dr. Ortiz are the same price, (and cost less than Aceves or Alvarez). Dr. Pompa and Dr. Ortiz both practice at bariatric International Centers of Excellence. It might be worth checking them out. The other thing I wanted to be sure of is that I was traveling to a part of Mexico without a travel warning from the US State Department. Tijuana doesn't have a "defer non-essential travel" warning, so reducing the worry on top of the surgery. Good luck in your research! And in your weight loss too.

I will be with Dr. Ortiz on Feb. 4. How are your pre-op diets going?

Surgery is Feb. 4 - taking the week off work. Plan to return to desk job on the 11th.

I am being sleeved on February 4.....am so excited I can barely sleep or think about anything else! My pre-op diet will begin soon and be the "officical start" of my weight loss. I'm blogging about all this and will have my surgery day story (with pics) there.

Thanks for your post. When I went through my bariatric program last summer, it was to get a band. Insurance denied my "medical necessity" and I started doing my own research and learned about the sleeve. I feel almost thankful to be self-paying for my sleeve vs. having insurance pay for a band. They seem like a complex device that are very troubling for many. All the best as you complete your program and move towards a sleeve!

Prayers for a successful surgery and speedy recovery! Hugs...

You are going to ROCK this surgery....all the best on a smooth & speedy recovery.

EXACT same feelings here! I'm going to be in a straight jacket before the big day....making myself crazy.