Panda333

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

Hi Everyone, I'm really, really early in my weight loss journey. This board has been invaluable. Still in the insurance phase. I was initially all for going to Mexico because a friend went and had great results as well as the attractive cost and basically not having to wait and deal with red tape. I also feel the drs. in mexico are just as good. I did find out my Aetna PPO will cover in the USA - Hurray. I have a choice of 6 month nutritional counseling or 3 month nutritional and primary dr. visits. I'm opting for the 3 month obviously because I'm an impatient person. I really wanted to go to Jacksonville Florida to the Mayo Clinic. But the Mayo clinic bariatric said I wasn't covered. I showed them the info that I was covered and we went back and forth and I finally gave up. I felt sad too because I know Mayo Clinic is top notch and I've had other surgeries there. So after leaving messages at several bariatric providers in Florida, Florida Hospital actually now Advent Heath in Celebration called me back and assigned me an advocate. I know it's not the mayo clinic but its still a good hospital. I gave them my insurance info and what do you know, I'm covered! (Just like I thought) So...just starting my 3 month journey but this post is to let people know to not give up. I have a full time job and it felt like just scheduling and doing this research has been a 2nd full time job. I was willing to spend out of pocket $20k for this surgery in US. Then happy to find it was $4200 for mexico surgery. Now Advent Heath told me my co-pay will be $476.00 I'm elated and plan to use any extra money towards any skin removal surgery, even though everyone says why bother you are in your 40s. I don't care, lol!

Hi everyone, I'm still preop and aged 48, I'm being optimistic that I will lose the weight and am interested in having an arm lift, breast lift, and anything else I need lifted, lol. I've seen people say why bother over age 40 you are too old no need at that ;point in your life. Yes, I will be 49 and pushing 50 and I'm not trying to be a sex symbol but I it's something I want. Am I being vain? I know my younger years are behind me.

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 $$

I've pretty much decided I want to have the gastric sleeve. Now that that's settled I'm ready. I was already approved by Weight Loss Team in Mexico and It's $4200 including hotel stay in puerto vallarta. and I can schedule as soon as possible. I also found out my insurance covers it if I want to do it in the USA and my maximum out of pocket will be $6000 for the mayo clinic in Jacksonville, FL. The US one is $1800 more and they will make me go through the 3 to 6 months nutritional and dr. supervised, etc. I'm impatient, I don't want to wait the 6 months. I Also think the drs. in Mexico will do a better job because they do more procedures. On the other hand, if there are complications or follow up it will be nice to have the surgeons'/drs here in US. What would you do?

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.

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.

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!

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!

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