mareana

Thank you everyone for your advice! I am planning on having surgery in August or September to give myself time to grieve a lose some weight one my own.

Thank you everyone for your advice! I am planning on having surgery in August or September to give myself time to grieve a lose some weight one my own.

I forgot to add.. as far as post op care...
1. my primary care doc is taking care of prescriptions, bloodwork, and the like.
2. If there is a bariatric emergency, I have several bariatric hospitals within a 3 hour drive.
3. For a non-emergency bariatric issue, my understanding is Dr. Illan is willing to help... I would just need to fly back there.
4. I also became a patient at a local GI doctor's office for any treatment they can provide.
I recommend everyone that considers going out of the country for surgery to make plans regarding their care once they get back home.

If you have the funds, Dr. Illan did an excellent job with me almost 4 weeks ago. No worries or problems. (Around $4600 + plane tickets, passport, tips, souveniers, etc.).
I recommend putting off the surgery until the end of summer to give yourself time to grieve, and get your stepMom on the road to recovery.
Dr. Illan schedules about 6 weeks out.. just enough time to get your plane tickets, passport, preop diet, etc. all in order. (Passports can take at least 6 weeks to arrive, so plan ahead on that one).
[Hugs], I'm sorry for your loss.

My condolences to you and your family.
I know of a person that went to Tijuana to get the VSG. She's super-ok and paid less than $6,000.
I just had the VSG done last week but in Bakersfield, CA but my insurance covered it. The price difference is night and day. Not sure about the procedure and equipment used but she is very satisfied and happy she went [emoji4]
Edit: I clicked the word Tijuana and seen their facility. It's beautiful and looks to be state of the art

So sorry for your loss hun and my condolences to you and your family. I am concerned for you though. After surgery your mood can drop really low at times possibly leading to depression for many, maybe even severe depression in your case, understandably. I know I don't know you personally and everyone is different but I would completely take it into consideration if I were you. But, I wish you the best of luck on whatever you may decide to do (Waiting or Going for it) Good luck !

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I am having surgery in Mexico on Tuesday and I will let you know how it goes. I am so very sorry to hear of your heartbreaking loss. No one should lose a parent so young.

So, a few things have occurred over the last few days. My dad passed away in a terrible motorcycle accident and his wife, my step mom, is in critical condition. Alongside of dealing with the pain of losing my father, my hero, (I am 23, he was not supposed to leave me this soon) and dealing with attorneys for his estate and lawsuit, i am in the middle of my pre op diet and going through the motions and I am losing my insurance. My mom is putting me on hers, but I don't think it covers bariatric surgery.
I don't want to be selfish in thinking about this at a time like this but I have appointments coming up that I'm trying to get with my patient advocate about to see if I should go to them.
I am just wondering if I should keep going or if I should step back and just take the plunge and go to Mexico. I almost made the decision to go to Mexico before but decided to start the program I'm in now. What is every ones experience with mexico? Is it sketchy? Scary? Way more expensive and not worth it? I did a lot of research on it before and every thing seemed legit but I am still a little bit not convinced. Can anyone offer me some insight on this?

So sorry for all of the chaos in your life and the loss of your dad.
As for going to Mexico for surgery, I've done it twice. The first time was back in 2005 to get my LapBand, and the second was nearly two weeks ago to get it converted to the VSG. Both times, Dr. Pedro Kuri was my surgeon. My wife also used Dr. Kuri for her band back in 2006.
Dr. Kuri has an excellent team around him from Carlos, the driver who picks you up at and takes you back to the San Diego airport, Dr. Peterson who gives you your pre-op physical, Joann (patient coordinator and source of information before and after your procedure), and the doctors who fill out his team. All top notch! The only complicating factor is that the hospital he uses doesn't have staff who all speak English. The two years of Spanish I had in high school nearly 30 years ago only goes so far, know what I mean? I made good use of Google Translate on my phone and it got me through a couple of spots.
Otherwise, it's $5,500 for the VSG plus any travel expenses you incur in getting to him.
I'd be happy to answer any other questions regarding my experience with Dr. Kuri. Just ask.

I don't have any info on Mexico, but just wanted to let you know I'm so sorry for the loss of your dad. [emoji173]

Just curious- did you have to do a pre op diet? I'm worried about dipping below 40 BMI and not being approved. I see that you were approved, but did you have any issues with that?

I am in month 2 of 4 of my pre op stages. I have good days and bad days. Today is a bad day.
I just keep thinking to myself, "is it worth all this money?" I keep getting bill after bill for each appointment, and then I keep thinking, Jesus dude, I still have to pay $6,000 for surgery!! Like, why am I doing this to myself? I'm trying to live my life and do things and I can't because I have to save every penny extra for all these appointments and the huge expense of surgery. My boyfriend is very good at getting me to see the big picture but when I am sitting here stuck in my head I stress myself out so much about it. Not only am I going to have life altering surgery, I'm going to pay a life altering amount of money for it. That money could go toward a house, my retirement account, or a wedding!
But I just keep thinking of the phrase "invest in yourself".
I could spend $6,000 on gym, special diets, or junk food in one year.
To look at it that way puts it into such a different perspective. I can change my life for less than $10,000 and lose this weight, be happier and healthier, and live a longer life and spend my old age with my amazing partner and my future children. That's what gets me. Those future children. I have to be healthy for them and teach them how to live a healthy life!
I guess I just need to remember "invest in yourself, and think about those future kids"
I guess I just needed to rant. No one around me understand what's happening in my head and you guys make my day better because you know what it's like.

I am in month 2 of 4 of my pre op stages. I have good days and bad days. Today is a bad day.
I just keep thinking to myself, "is it worth all this money?" I keep getting bill after bill for each appointment, and then I keep thinking, Jesus dude, I still have to pay $6,000 for surgery!! Like, why am I doing this to myself? I'm trying to live my life and do things and I can't because I have to save every penny extra for all these appointments and the huge expense of surgery. My boyfriend is very good at getting me to see the big picture but when I am sitting here stuck in my head I stress myself out so much about it. Not only am I going to have life altering surgery, I'm going to pay a life altering amount of money for it. That money could go toward a house, my retirement account, or a wedding!
But I just keep thinking of the phrase "invest in yourself".
I could spend $6,000 on gym, special diets, or junk food in one year.
To look at it that way puts it into such a different perspective. I can change my life for less than $10,000 and lose this weight, be happier and healthier, and live a longer life and spend my old age with my amazing partner and my future children. That's what gets me. Those future children. I have to be healthy for them and teach them how to live a healthy life!
I guess I just need to remember "invest in yourself, and think about those future kids"
I guess I just needed to rant. No one around me understand what's happening in my head and you guys make my day better because you know what it's like.

I'm a planner too! I am trying to plan every single detail but it's hard when it's four months away and I get frustrated because I can't make a solid plan. I'm trying to set a budget but it's hard when you get unexpected bills. I know it'll be all right and it will all be worth it but at this stage I'm just like, why the heck am I doing this?! But you just have to focus on the big picture. It will be so worth it next summer when I can wear shorts and a short dress and a bikini and not care!!! Even if I have lose skin I don't care!! [emoji173][emoji173][emoji173]

I am in month 2 of 4 of my pre op stages. I have good days and bad days. Today is a bad day.
I just keep thinking to myself, "is it worth all this money?" I keep getting bill after bill for each appointment, and then I keep thinking, Jesus dude, I still have to pay $6,000 for surgery!! Like, why am I doing this to myself? I'm trying to live my life and do things and I can't because I have to save every penny extra for all these appointments and the huge expense of surgery. My boyfriend is very good at getting me to see the big picture but when I am sitting here stuck in my head I stress myself out so much about it. Not only am I going to have life altering surgery, I'm going to pay a life altering amount of money for it. That money could go toward a house, my retirement account, or a wedding!
But I just keep thinking of the phrase "invest in yourself".
I could spend $6,000 on gym, special diets, or junk food in one year.
To look at it that way puts it into such a different perspective. I can change my life for less than $10,000 and lose this weight, be happier and healthier, and live a longer life and spend my old age with my amazing partner and my future children. That's what gets me. Those future children. I have to be healthy for them and teach them how to live a healthy life!
I guess I just need to remember "invest in yourself, and think about those future kids"
I guess I just needed to rant. No one around me understand what's happening in my head and you guys make my day better because you know what it's like.

Okay! Well good luck to you!! Can't wait til I'm there!!

Okay! Well good luck to you!! Can't wait til I'm there!!

Okay! Well good luck to you!! Can't wait til I'm there!!

That is exactly what I repeat to myself "invest in yourself, it's about time" I dam near spent almost all my taxes on this lol and i wanted to use that money for my vacation in December. But what's the point of going on vacation if I have to call for weight limits for things like kayak, horse riding, zip lining. I'd rather spent whatever on making sure I have no more limits on life, to be healthy. And if this surgery can increase my chances of having children then amen! Lol. This is an investment and will continue to be an investment if you think of the cost of Vitamins, plastic surgery, and healthy food which for some reason is so much more expensive than junk food lol. If this is what you really want then go for it! Maybe learn to budget so you can accommodate this new lifestyle, that is the stage I am in now and my surgery is in 2 weeks. But I am one of those people who like to prep/plan ahead lol. But good luck! And you got this, just remember it will be worth it in the long run 😉

You could not be more right about this. Yes it's expensive, it's time consuming and it's definitely hard to accomplish and stick with but it is so worth it. To have that much more life to live, to be able to keep up your small children, even grandchildren makes our food sacrifices worth the struggle we face today. I'm definitely doing this for my future, what else is there?

I hear your rant. We love rants! Rants make us stronger and better! I am so proud of you, look how far you've come! You are really doing great! We support you 100%. 6,000 is only cake money! And we eat cake, we are gonna get through this and get it done! And beat fat's ass!

I am in month 2 of 4 of my pre op stages. I have good days and bad days. Today is a bad day.
I just keep thinking to myself, "is it worth all this money?" I keep getting bill after bill for each appointment, and then I keep thinking, Jesus dude, I still have to pay $6,000 for surgery!! Like, why am I doing this to myself? I'm trying to live my life and do things and I can't because I have to save every penny extra for all these appointments and the huge expense of surgery. My boyfriend is very good at getting me to see the big picture but when I am sitting here stuck in my head I stress myself out so much about it. Not only am I going to have life altering surgery, I'm going to pay a life altering amount of money for it. That money could go toward a house, my retirement account, or a wedding!
But I just keep thinking of the phrase "invest in yourself".
I could spend $6,000 on gym, special diets, or junk food in one year.
To look at it that way puts it into such a different perspective. I can change my life for less than $10,000 and lose this weight, be happier and healthier, and live a longer life and spend my old age with my amazing partner and my future children. That's what gets me. Those future children. I have to be healthy for them and teach them how to live a healthy life!
I guess I just need to remember "invest in yourself, and think about those future kids"
I guess I just needed to rant. No one around me understand what's happening in my head and you guys make my day better because you know what it's like.

I am in month 2 of 4 of my pre op stages. I have good days and bad days. Today is a bad day.
I just keep thinking to myself, "is it worth all this money?" I keep getting bill after bill for each appointment, and then I keep thinking, Jesus dude, I still have to pay $6,000 for surgery!! Like, why am I doing this to myself? I'm trying to live my life and do things and I can't because I have to save every penny extra for all these appointments and the huge expense of surgery. My boyfriend is very good at getting me to see the big picture but when I am sitting here stuck in my head I stress myself out so much about it. Not only am I going to have life altering surgery, I'm going to pay a life altering amount of money for it. That money could go toward a house, my retirement account, or a wedding!
But I just keep thinking of the phrase "invest in yourself".
I could spend $6,000 on gym, special diets, or junk food in one year.
To look at it that way puts it into such a different perspective. I can change my life for less than $10,000 and lose this weight, be happier and healthier, and live a longer life and spend my old age with my amazing partner and my future children. That's what gets me. Those future children. I have to be healthy for them and teach them how to live a healthy life!
I guess I just need to remember "invest in yourself, and think about those future kids"
I guess I just needed to rant. No one around me understand what's happening in my head and you guys make my day better because you know what it's like.

I am stressing myself out about losing too much weight and being rejected. My insurance requires a BMI of 40 to be considered. Mine is currently 47.5. I have a 3 month diet, and if I lose more that 40 pounds my BMI is going to drop to 39. I am so worried that I will have gone through this for nothing. 3 days into my diet and I am already down 3 pounds. Not complaining, I want to lose as much as possible for surgery to reduce lose skin and build good eating/exercise diets NOW rather than post op,
I am just so stressed thinking that I could possibly lose too much. Is this possible? Has this ever happened to any one? I have aetna.
Side note: I do not have any obesity related diseases so the need for surgery is based solely off my BMI.

I am in month 2 of 4 of my pre op stages. I have good days and bad days. Today is a bad day.
I just keep thinking to myself, "is it worth all this money?" I keep getting bill after bill for each appointment, and then I keep thinking, Jesus dude, I still have to pay $6,000 for surgery!! Like, why am I doing this to myself? I'm trying to live my life and do things and I can't because I have to save every penny extra for all these appointments and the huge expense of surgery. My boyfriend is very good at getting me to see the big picture but when I am sitting here stuck in my head I stress myself out so much about it. Not only am I going to have life altering surgery, I'm going to pay a life altering amount of money for it. That money could go toward a house, my retirement account, or a wedding!
But I just keep thinking of the phrase "invest in yourself".
I could spend $6,000 on gym, special diets, or junk food in one year.
To look at it that way puts it into such a different perspective. I can change my life for less than $10,000 and lose this weight, be happier and healthier, and live a longer life and spend my old age with my amazing partner and my future children. That's what gets me. Those future children. I have to be healthy for them and teach them how to live a healthy life!
I guess I just need to remember "invest in yourself, and think about those future kids"
I guess I just needed to rant. No one around me understand what's happening in my head and you guys make my day better because you know what it's like.