sstrick

Ah! You are probably right. Sorry, I'm relatively new to this VST app and on my phone I can't see the full titles of the forums. I did not mean to upset anyone--thought that the forum was self pay and Mexico surgeries (two different groups).

Thanks, newat52. I was starting to get upset that people were thinking I was fake or something. I'm just glad that there are choices out there. What may work for me may not work for others and vice versa.

Bigfisher: are you in NC? What hospital are you having surgery at? Good luck!! I am so glad I had the surgery!

Rebecca: cost was $12,500. Still not cheap by any means but I could not have taken the time to travel to Mexico (due to my job and not wanting to leave my 18-month-old for that long). For me, this was the best option. I don't have any knowledge of the surgeons in Mexico--just wanted to let folks know that I personally am very glad Dr. Bruce set this program up for those of us who did not get approved by insurance. It's all about doing what is right for you and your family. The program is just getting started and I just wanted to share in case others were weighing the options.

I just wanted to share what a great experience I have had with my surgeon in NC. He has created a program for us self-pay patients to allow us an affordable surgery option in the US. Dr. Bruce really cares about the patient before and after surgery--follow up visits are included in the package price. The hospital where he performs the surgeries is a small private hospital and the folks there could not have been nicer. If you are a self-pay patient and want an option in the US, check out the website below. I know this sounds like a commercial, but I really am a patient and just found out about the website at my follow-up appointment today :-) www.eastcoastsleevecenter.com

That's exciting!! I never thought I would get to the point where a towel doesn't fit all the way around me. I can't wait until it does! Congrats to you!

I will call my doctor's office to ask, but I was wondering if it is okay to take appetite suppressants (Obenix) during the pre-op diet phase. I will avoid the couple of days before surgery but I'm worried I am going to be so hungry whenI first start.

I have a question for those of you who wrote to Aetna. Had your BMI >35 been documented by physicians for 2 years or more? I decided to self pay because the coordinator at my surgeons office wouldn't even submit to Aetna because my physician-documented weights didn't show BMI >35 in 2011. I'm wondering if I should have tried harder to get approved before throwing in the towel and paying

I'm scheduled for March 18th! I'm really excited!