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midvishon

Pre Op
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Posts posted by midvishon

  10. Posted

    Hello all,

    My name is Marc. I live in South Florida. I'm in the process of getting all of my approvals, and hope to have gastric sleeve surgery mid August.

    I am both VERY NERVOUS and very excited to start a new chapter.

    I am 55 years old. Current weight (same as my high weight..) 271 Lbs. My goal weight is 185 Lbs. I have heart disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea. I had a SIX graft heart bypass at 41. I feel good, all things considered, other than painful knees, feet, and medication controlled depression--all weight related, I'm sure.

    My wife of 31 years is supportive of my decision after doing a lot of research on the subject. My adult children and my brother don't like the idea of me getting "85% of your stomach cut out", even after reading up on the issue.

    My "pros" list is many, many times longer than my "cons" list, yet I am still a nervous wreck about undertaking such a permanent step. food is my best friend and also my enemy.

    Decisions, decisions!!!

    Hi Marc,

    My name is kim and I live in south florida, I also have heart disease, had a heart attack one year ago in june. I am getting sleeved June 28th. I spoke with my primary, my cardiologist and anthesilogist all of them say this surgery is only gonna help our hearts and let us live a longer and healthier live. I too am scared as hell, nervous and excited all in one. But I also know this damn weight is gonna kill me. It was nice to hear a story like mine. If you want we can be heart sleeve buddies. Kim

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App

    What's up with the south FL with heart problems? Looks like we all twins...

    I am also from south FL and also have a heart disease and was lucky that it discovered in the last minute...

    During routine checkup I was asked to have a 3D imaging of my heart and rushed to the hospital as my RCA was blocked 99%. 3 years, 2 stents, 4 different diets and I am still the fat a$$ I have been all my life. Only now I am feeling worse with each day that pass.

    Whether it is my knees, my back, depression, luck of energy and the daily parade of medicine I need to take every morning and evening to control my BP, blood thinners, anxiety medicine and more.

    I am 49 6.0 feet tall with BMI of 36-37 (268).

    I am sick and tired to live this way. Tried everything and failed!!!

    My insurance (and my employer) do not provide/support to any bariatric procedures coverage (it is considered cosmetics...) and no appeal helped.

    I decided that once in my life I want to be normal weight and by April when I turn 50, I want my BMI to be in the mid 20's. I know the aim is high and yet I believe it is doable.

    I am going as self-pay on Aug. 25th with Dr. Wizman in Margate. I am existed and my only fear is what if I will be one of these "special patients" that never made it and never lost all that weight and kept it off.

    Where are you guys from and who are you doing the procedure with?

    We need to possibly meet and talk and establish possibly a support group for us as I found nothing active in my area.

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

  12. Posted

    Dr kinda - I visited my PCP and told him I have pain everywhere. I pressed my finger on my forehead, it hearts, pressed my finger on my knee, it hearts, pressed my finger on stomach, it hearts... After further analysis the Doctor found my finger was broken. Do you think I need to lose some weight?

    Hello midvishon and welcome to the Pleasure-Dome,

    In short, yes, yes you do...

    It's obvious to me that the pressure you're exerting on your finger when you type is just becoming too much for your cute liddle pingy-wingies (medical term for fingers.. you lot wouldn't understand) to handle...

    What I would suggest is the following..

    Stand up.

    Turn off your computer

    No, not yet, otherwise you'll not know what to do next.. :mellow:

    Put on a pair of comfortable shoes^

    Go for a walk

    Even if it's just to the other room to watch tv,,,

    You obviously spend WAY too much time typing your maniacal Facebook rants or playing candy Crush..

    Get out more!!!

    NEXT!!!!

    ^This assumes that you were clothed when you were reading this. I know a lot of my readers like to learn from me in the nude, but I'm hoping that you were dressed at this point. If not, please also add at least underwear and a scarf to the list of things you're 'putting on'...

    "ASSUMES"??? Now you are telling me? Couldn't you just started from the second part to avoid all this embarrassment?

    Oh well, at least I had my hat on...

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

  13. Posted

    Hello all,

    I am a self pay and my surgeon offers BLISS insurance for which of course need to be paid pre op. My questions are:

    1. Do you guys think it is worthy of $1250 on top of the surgery cost?

    2. Did anyone had any experience/needed to use it post op? What was your experience?

    Would love to hear your feedback.

    Although I am rather "low" BMI I did have stents and have high BP. My doctors records are very positive with no issues I could find online.

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

  15. Posted

    Hi all,

    I am a self pay in FL and I narrowed down between two doctors.

    Dr. Shillngford and Dr. Wizman.

    Both have similar prices and great reviews online. I met both of them in person and they have similar philosophy.

    Are there past or current patients on this site that can provide feedback/comparison between the two?

    Why did you choose the one you did? What was your experience? Was there anything negative before, during and after op?

    Any input is greatly appreciated.

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

  16. Posted

    @@midvishon I talked to Dr. Shillingford's office yesterday. I'm glad to hear they are highly regarded. Found out last night that the $18k quote doesn't include pre-op testing- which will likely add another $2000 to my cost. So I'm definitely considering the Florida option strongly.

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

    If you decide to go with Dr. Shillingford, and aren't going to put the surgery on a credit card, ask about their cash (check, money order, etc) discount. I only paid $10,000, and that $500 discount more than covered my travel expenses (I flew from Minnesota for the surgery because of his self pay pricing).
    Thanks. I also checked with Dr. Wizman and we agreed on $9,900.

    Not sure which one is better but they operate at the same hospital and it seems that Dr. Wizman has better post op support.

    Have you ever looked at him as an option when you were looking for self pay procedure?

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

    I didn't, but I can't recall why. 9,900 is amazing! And I remember reading good things about him too. Are you local to Boca Raton? Does Dr. W's price include all pre op labs?

    From what I understand, Dr. Shillingford has good post op support, but I'm out of state, so I never got to take advantage of it. I get monthly emails about their free nutrition classes for post op patients. His price includes pre op labs, but again, I didn't get to have them done there, since I'm in MN. If Dr. W's price includes pre op testing, and you are local to the area, I don't think you can go wrong with either him or Dr. S.

    For fun, here's my results so far thanks to Dr. S!

    Wow. Just Wow. What an inspiration!!! You really did great.

    Thank you for your reply. I guess I will better start a post to get some feedback from others as well on which of the 2 to go with. I met both of them. Dr. S was very pleasant but he never met me one on one to hear me and for me to interview him. Dr. W on the other hand spent over 30 minutes with me listening to the real issues I have (I am considered "low" BMI with around 37 but I have the worst family history and had already 2 stents put in. Also HBP and severe back and joint pain). He also mentioned to me that he was Dr. S professor. Dr. W is very confident of himself which scares me a bit (something like I am the best and the rest are good but not the best - although he never used these words exactly).

    Yes I am local to FL about 1 hour north to Boca Raton. No the pre op is not included but I was told this probably should be covered by my insurance.

    Just confirmed my date today. Aug. 25th. Could have done it in 2-3 weeks but I don't want to ruin my kids and wife summer. By Aug 25 the kids are back to school and I will have the peace and quite to recover.

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

  17. Posted · Edited by midvishon

    @@midvishon I talked to Dr. Shillingford's office yesterday. I'm glad to hear they are highly regarded. Found out last night that the $18k quote doesn't include pre-op testing- which will likely add another $2000 to my cost. So I'm definitely considering the Florida option strongly.

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

    If you decide to go with Dr. Shillingford, and aren't going to put the surgery on a credit card, ask about their cash (check, money order, etc) discount. I only paid $10,000, and that $500 discount more than covered my travel expenses (I flew from Minnesota for the surgery because of his self pay pricing).
    Thanks. I also checked with Dr. Wizman and we agreed on $9,900.

    Not sure which one is better but they operate at the same hospital and it seems that Dr. Wizman has better post op support.

    Have you ever looked at him as an option when you were looking for self pay procedure?

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

  18. Posted

    I am looking forward to take off my shirt at the beach (I didn't do so since I was a teenager).

    I want to look at my image at the mirror and not be angry at the image I see reflected.

    I want to be able to enjoy exercising and not to see it as yet another nightmare I have to face.

    I want to be HAPPY and be there for my family for many more years.

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

  20. Posted

    I just called the office of Dr. Shillingford last week and Nancy spent over 20 minutes explaining and answering any question I had. She was very informative, polite and professional and made great impression on me as well as giving me some of the confidence I was looking for to go ahead and meet them.

    I am meeting them this coming Wednesday and looking forward for this.

    I also got a reply from OCC in Mexico where they quoted me for $6,500 + $200 for Post Op medication + additional fees for paying with credit card + I need to consider the cost of airfare for 2.

    To me it looks like no brainer to have it done locally for the $10,500 with the Post Op local support then go to Mexico and take the risk. Also, this will help with the tax deductions for medical expanses at the end of the year.

    Anyway, Nancy provided me quite a lot of written info as well as references from other patients (phone numbers to call them directly). I will post additional updates from my face to face appointment this coming week.

    Forgot to mention earlier but as a comparison, I called my doctor friend in TN and asked him to get me local quotes from his source. Got a quote couple of day ago for $20-$25K!!! Crazy.

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

    logicwand reacted to this

  21. Posted

    Thank you guys. I will contact them.

    I did not find too many reviews for him online. Also, my concern is why is he so much cheaper then the competition?

    I guess it is hard to get good things for granted - it usually not my nature to be so suspicious but we are talking over 30% less from the cheapest price I found so far.

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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