mp24

Wow! Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond. Nothing like first hand knowledge from people who've been there. Lots of great ideas -- should keep me busy while I'm waiting!!

Surgery in 2 weeks. Anything you wish you'd had available to you when you got home from the surgery? Guess I'm thinking about what to make sure to stock up on -- not just food, but other items that you hadn't thought of but you wish you would have? Thanks!

It's hard dealing with the insurance companies because it's just business to them -- but it's very personal to us. Keep pursuing them at their game and get your doc on your side to push them, too. After all, the doc and his/her staff are much better able to deal with insurance as it isn't really personal to them, either.

Thank you for your response. It's been nice reading everyone else's positive experiences, but the fact that there are still people who have unfortunate events occur during or right after surgery makes me uneasy. Like you said- if there are complications, it would be nice to have insurance assist with those costs. As long as it's available, I believe I'm going to fight to get it until I receive an official "no."

And if I am denied- I'll look at options within the states myself. Being gone for that many days with a 7 hour flight plus 2 hour drive home from the airport doesn't sit well with me. And I know many doctors are hesitant or are completely reluctant to touching patients who have had surgery outside of the US. I commend all the folks who have gone this route though. But my anxiety just will not allow me to make this decision with all of the uncertainty. I wish I would. The price tag is so so so much better.

My insurance specifically excludes bariatric surgery, so I looked into Mexico and self-pay in the States. Mexico was about 1/2 the price, and their aftercare is more comprehensive than what I'm seeing stateside -- 2 nights in hospital there vs. an outpatient surgery here (less than 24 hours in the hospital after surgery) and 2 more days of access to the doc, etc. in Mexico. Here, the cost covers only the initial surgery and 1 follow up with the doc to remove the drain tube 10 days after surgery. Meds outside of the hospital are not covered, etc.

I agree about all the dancing through the insurance hoops, but without going through insurance, you're on your own in both cases if there are any complications.

All that being said -- I'm still uncomfortable with the idea of being gone from home for at least 5 or 6 days and flying so soon after a surgery because of complications from blood clots.

Just reading this over makes me wonder what I'm thinking, but . . . I've opted to stay stateside.

I was going to get my passport when I just decided I didn't feel good about going to Mexico.

I'm not wealthy -- I've been saving and have my contingency plan in place to make up the difference.

All I'm saying is this a decision you'll live with the rest of your life, so make sure it's the right one for you. Trust your gut.

You've already made a huge decision to have the surgery. Good luck to you!!!

My insurance specifically excludes bariatric surgery, so I looked into Mexico and self-pay in the States. Mexico was about 1/2 the price, and their aftercare is more comprehensive than what I'm seeing stateside -- 2 nights in hospital there vs. an outpatient surgery here (less than 24 hours in the hospital after surgery) and 2 more days of access to the doc, etc. in Mexico. Here, the cost covers only the initial surgery and 1 follow up with the doc to remove the drain tube 10 days after surgery. Meds outside of the hospital are not covered, etc.

I agree about all the dancing through the insurance hoops, but without going through insurance, you're on your own in both cases if there are any complications.

All that being said -- I'm still uncomfortable with the idea of being gone from home for at least 5 or 6 days and flying so soon after a surgery because of complications from blood clots.

Just reading this over makes me wonder what I'm thinking, but . . . I've opted to stay stateside.

I was going to get my passport when I just decided I didn't feel good about going to Mexico.

I'm not wealthy -- I've been saving and have my contingency plan in place to make up the difference.

All I'm saying is this a decision you'll live with the rest of your life, so make sure it's the right one for you. Trust your gut.

You've already made a huge decision to have the surgery. Good luck to you!!!