yups541

Just wanted to share some of my NSV's I've discovered within my 5 weeks post op
1. I am not out of breath when I walk from parking garage to my office. I used to have to do that "fake" cough to try to get my breathing normal so everyone didn't think "Damn, she's out of shape!"
2. I had sleep apnea but now my hubby says I'm not snoring any longer! And my sleep is real sleep now! I feel like a full 6 hrs is more than I ever got sleeping longer before! this is a big deal to me! My sleep apnea doctor is on my FB page and is thrilled as well.
3. I actually park at the end of the parking lot when shopping or going to grocery store. NEVER before did I ever think to do this. In 2010-2012 I had a handicap parking pass because of my back surgeries. I'm very proud of this one!
4. My grown children said this weekend "Mom! You have a waist" I almost cried!!!!!!
I LOVE MY SLEEVE and want to thank Dr. Illan and his wonderful team for helping me with these victories!!!!!! God Bless you all on this journey! {{hugs}} Sherry HW 326, SW301, CW 273 woot-woot!

I went thur Dr. Elias Ortiz on March 19th n I mus say dat his an excellent surgeon. He's young but he knowz his job. He also will make you feel very comfortable b4 n after da surgery. Da best decision I've ever made. Here's a pic of my results so far. I've lost a 119 pounds so far.

I had surgery with Dr. Elias Ortiz two months ago today. He is very professional and skilled. I never once felt insecure or uncomfortable with him. It is scary to pick a doctor. I honestly prayed over it and picked the one I felt most comfortable about. I researched him as much as I could, and didn't find a negative thing about him. He spent as much time as I needed with me. The whole ALighterMe team was professional and exactly where they said they would be. My driver and contacts there were always available. I went by myself and didn't once feel alone unless I chose to be in my room alone. There are other sleevers at the hospital and hotel to chat with and get to know. It was an all-around good experience for me. My recovery was easy. In fact, the day I got back to the hotel, I walked to Walmart and did some shopping.

I have 9 days til surgery. 8 days until we leave for Tijuana.< /p>

$4200 for Dr Elias Ortiz. Mi hospital and Marriott. That covers everything except plane fare. Ppl have been extremely happy with him.

I had surgery with Dr Ariel Ortiz on October 7. I am so happy I went with him! I had no pain and little discomfort. No throwing up, no dry heaves, no feeling like it. He triple staples then folds the edges in and staples again.
The Obesity Control Center is a center of excellence, using the same standards as the US. He has done over 10,000 of these surgeries. It is all he does. He teaches in the US. One thing I really liked about his clinic was that weight loss surgery is all they do. That means no sick people come to the clinic. No bad germs, no infections. Dr Ortiz has very few complications.
I recommend him highly.

I had Dr. Fernando Garcia - and went through Ready4Achange http://bariatricweightloss-surgery.com/
My cost was $4700 and that covered everthing but airfare... and I had a great experance
My insurance didn't cover the operation... However I do have a Healthcare Flexible Spending Account and I was able to get reimburest $2500 from the money that was in it,,, so for me.. out of pocket it cost me $2200 plus airafre
any questions about Dr. Fernando Garcia and my experances feel free to ask
Good Luck

Hang in there, it WILL stop. Not a whole lot you can do but accept it. Wear lots of fun headbands. Get some clip in extensions. Invest in some fun hats. (it's getting cold and you can get away with some wintery hats, no?) Remember you knew this could happen going in to the surgery, and you were willing to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to reach your goal. This is just a bump in the road to a brilliant new you.

It is not so bad if I can get my sexy body back, I made the right choice.

I'm considering getting sleeved by him as well

I've had time to "sleep on it" to see if I really still feel this enthusiastic. I do! This surgery changed my life forever and it's already happening....
VSG works!!! I'm a believer!!!

I can't keep it to myself anymore. This surgery works if you do what they tell you to do. I'm living proof. I hate doing what doctors tell me to do. But even I can follow the directions they give me. So I did. And lo and behold, it worked!!! I'm lighter than I've been in years and my belt buckle is tighter than it's been in years!!!!
You know what? I'm WINNING!!! It is WORKING!!! And that makes me very, very happy.

Just booked with A lighter Me, surgery 22nd November with Dr. Ortiz! So excited to start this journey. I will be going alone so any sleeve buddies welcome.

Hello - were you two from the US? I'm seriously looking at Mexico for my sleeve as well. I have 4 friends who had their sleeves in Vegas for $12k self pay. They look great but if I can save the money & still have a great surgeon I'm up for it.

Thank you all so very much for sharing your wisdom.

I am from Florida and I used Dr. Valenzuela and had a fantastic experience. Her and all the Drs involved were great. Christy from Mexico Bariatric Center was my coordinator and she was very helpful and always available if I had any concerns. I am 4 weeks post op and have been feeling great since day 2 w/ no complications. If you are considering Mexico, I would definitely look into Dr. V. Best of luck to you:-)

I agree with Gamergirl on her suggestion. I had an old school pen/pad chart. Dr. Illan is who I was sleeved by. I'm in Canada and flew out of Toronto.
I couldn't be happier with my experience. I was sleeved on Saturday, July 20, 2013. My recovery has been far easier than I could have imagined.
Best of luck with your journey.

I am from the US, Oklahoma… I went on July 1, 2013. I’m still amazed how smooth everything went. Dr. Illan was amazing and Omar makes sure you have everything you need. I went sightseeing and shopped and had an amazing massage. I didn’t have to take the pain pills and everything since I have been home has been great too. I had a follow up with my pcp and she verified everything went great. If you have any questions, PM someone who used the surgeon you are looking at or ask us on here. Best of luck!

I posted a review here on my experiences with Dr. Alvarez. Very, very positive experience. You should create a checklist of what factors you care about, and then evaluate doctors against it.

I'll be 2 weeks post op on Saturday! So hard to believe I am finally on this journey If you have any questions you might not want posted feel free to PM me! Trying to stay off the scales until Saturday.

If you would like more information, feel free to PM me and I will be happy to get the process started with Dr. Illan for you.
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Mine was 4000. They had a discount if u booked in August and I booked my dates in August

I have Aetna, they told me it was a 72 hr turn around to....I submitted on the 10th...as of yesterday still under review
Edit
Just got approval last nite...surgery is tuesday:-)

mysurgeryoptions.com or look up baja bariatrics

Wow i have so many mixed emotions right now i wanna scream, cry, laugh all of the above ....lol...my isurance coordinator emailed me yesterday telling me she was gonna submit my info to insurance and that we should know by tuesday next week but she just emailed me saying that i got Approved and am all set and ready for the 10th yiiiiikes it's feeling sooo real NOW .. =)....soooo Nervioooous!