Panda333

This is super helpful - Thank you! Wondering if I have to do a an overnight study as I do not have sleep apnea?

Found out mayo is "not" a center of excellence and it turns out Advent Health is which they told me on the phone it wasn't. This is a frustrating journey and like a full time job. My Co-pay now will only be $476.00 (after my 2200 deductible. Wow.

Thank you..so many haters in my personal life....ARGH

Hi, I'm older than you but similar and just started my journey a month ago. I am 48 with a bmi of 54. I have no co-morbidities but decided I wanted the surgery since I'm getting close to 50 and 150 extra pounds is hard on my short frame. My insurance, Aetna will cover 80% of the surgery also. (Just found out last week) I also didn't have a regular ;primary doctor but have tried and failed at diets for 25 years. What I did was establish a primary doctor relationship, had my first appointment yesterday. It was like, "hi, nice to meet you, can you sign off that bariatric surgery is necessary" lol And you know what? He did. He sAid that appointment could be the 1st of the 3 required physician monitored/supervised diets and he let me pick the diet, which I chose Keto. We then set up two more appoints, one for May and one for June. After the 3rd appt he will sign the letter of necessity. After you go to your consultation on 04/29 you will know more and they will assign you a patient advocate at Emory but it's a good time for you to establish a primary relationship in the meantime with a local doctor, preferably before your consultation. I hope this helps. I'm still at the beginning of this journey and

Really appreciate the comments and thought perspectives. I found out I only have to wait 3 months, and also I've decided to have the surgery with Dr. Kim at Advent Health in Orlando. Since my insurance is covering it and my PCP recommended staying in the US, that's what I'm going to do. Good luck to all, will post more soon

Hello, I’m still pre-op and early in the process and wanted to know if anyone on this forum had the sleeve process at the Mayo Clinic in the last two years? If so, I would like to PM you and hear about your experience. Thank you!!!

Hello, I have Aetna POS II. I'm still in pre-surgery and have been reseraching this. My deductible is $2200 but out of pocket max for in network is $6,000.00. Mayo clinic is in network for aetna so my cosgt will be $6000.00 That's why I'm considering mexico it's $4200.

ahhh..good point......see....this is why i posted the question here.

appreciate your opinion and no I haven't heard of the super bug virus I'm leaning towards the extra $$

Hello, newbie here. I'm very interested in WLS but then part of me thinks I can fool myself into pretending I've had it. Has anyone changed their mind about having the surgery after doing the pre-op diet, or for any reason such has having success or just even playing a mind trick on yourself? Curious. Thank you!

Appreciate that

Yup, you are right, I'm not there yet so that's why I'm posting and asking questions. Thanks for the helpful reply.

I'm very interested in WLS but then part of me things I can fool myself into pretending I've had it. Has anyone changed their mind about having the surgery after doing the pre-op diet and having success or just even playing a mind trick on yourself? Curious. Thank you!

Awesome...I really appreciate everyone’s honest answer. I feel I can trick myself...At 300 I’ve gone to 200 and felt good then started eating just normally and then oops..weight goes up. Many of us have the same stories. I need to get past the point I think I’m doing the “easy” way out and that I must be a terrible unfocused person not to be able to lose weight and keep it off. You guys really helped me thank you again.

Thank you for sharing I'm considering Dr. Hidalgo.