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I can't speak for the Mexico option - I considered it but was concerned my insurance covering post op complications if any came up. I went with Blossom. I too read the negative reviews, but felt they mostly had to do with the financial part of it. I was more comfortable staying in the US, and so went with them. I had a great experience - they handle everything once you are there, and aside from a couple of hiccups involving ground transportation, all went great. Let me know if you have any questions about my experience.

Hi there - give them a call and speak to a coordinator. They will check your insurance to see what benefits they can use and if you qualify for the fast track program, your cost will be put in writing. Mine cost $6499- they were running some sort of $500 discount. I've not been asked for a dime more. The cost also includes your hotel room and ground transportation. Good luck!

Hi! I was sleeved at Blossom on December 23. It was a really great experience for me. I too had insurance issues - it would only cover half after the deductible, tons of hoops to jump through, etc. If you qualify for the fast track safe sleeve, yes the price they quote you is all you have to pay. But you do have to have insurance as they will use out of network benefits for some of the things they do. They will go over all of it before you sign up. I too was a little worried because there are a few reviews that mention billing issues. I had no problem. They really take care of you from the time you arrive to the time you leave. I couldn't recommend them more.

I don't understand what you are looking for? So many people are trying to offer you support. But maybe you are looking for something else - you certainly don't seem to want words of encouragement. I'm sorry you are disappointed but don't lash out at those who are trying to help.

I think there is a lot of fear about GERD and the sleeve. I had that fear too, especially after going on various forums. I did my own research and consulted with my surgeon and PCP and went with the sleeve. One of the big things that studies have shown is that a patient with a hiatal hernia needs that to be repaired when they are sleeved. There have also been studies that suggest that GERD occurs more frequently when the surgeon leaves a bit too much stomach at the top (there is a technical name for it that I can't recall) Ask your surgeon what their stats are for post sleeve GERD

Okay, well I'm a little over 3 months out and I do feel hungry sometimes, and sometimes it can be hard. But, I don't ever have that awful, I'm gonna pass out and die if I don't eat feeling which is really great.

I started out weighing daily. But after hitting the 3 week stall, I started weighing weekly for my sanity. [emoji1] Since being on lockdown, I've starting weighing myself a couple of times a week to make sure I'm staying on track.

I had GERD and a large hiatal hernia. I had the sleeve and hernia repair at the same time. My doctor was not concerned about the GERD as it was due to the hernia. I've had no problems since, but I am only 3 months out.

We are on shelter in place in Cali. It's the temptation to graze that I'm struggling with. Plus all of the anxiety triggers my desire for carbs! But I'm hanging in there so far.[emoji846]

I am lucky and chicken is okay for me. You will find your way - it's hard, not gonna lie. Giving up carbs has been the hardest for me. But I'm finding it's getting easier and I feel so much better. I dont tell myself that I will "never" have certain foods again, that doesn't work for me. So far though, no cheating and cravings are better. You got this! And do have a food funeral- my nutritionist recommended that and I think it really helped.

I have to admit I stocked up on eggs. They are fine well past the date on the package and hard boiled eggs are my new favorite thing

This is one of the many areas where there seems to be no agreement between everyone's doctors. My plan said to wait 30 days. I have a cup nearly every day since passing the 30 day mark.

I had mine in Las Vegas (sleeve) at Blossom Bariatric. Excellent experience; I qualified for their fast track program - from arrival through surgery in 5 days. Advertised cost $6799, mine was a little less than that because of a promotion they were running. Includes hotel, transportation once you get there, surgery, etc. Really good experience.

Dont worry about it! Just get back on track and you will be fine. Some doctors dont even do the liver shrinking diet.

My surgeon used Zofran, anti nausea pressure point bracelets and ben gay with chili powder on my finger tips. Which was super weird but the anesthesiologist was a big believer in that type of thing. It all worked, and I too have a history of being very nauseous after surgery. Plus I kept up with anti nausea pills for a couple of days.

I did a lot of searching didnt find much in the way of self pay that was close to Blossom. I had my sleeve there on 12/23. You need to have commercial insurance (meaning just regular insurance as opposed to medicare or medicaid) and they'll check your benefits to see if you qualify for self pay. They make the process really easy.

You might have developed a hiatal hernia which causes GERD. I had one repaired when I had my sleeve and no more GERD. Did they do an endoscopy before your surgery? It could've been there all along and now is just worse.

So one of the surgeons at the clinic I went to just did a video about this. He said that at about a year, the restriction kind of relaxes, which can make it easier to take an extra bite. And that if you push the restriction constantly, there can be some stretching. He also said it takes a real effort to stretch it out. FWIW.

I also mainly sit for my job and went back after 2 weeks. I still get really tired by the end of the day and wish I could've taken a bit more time. Pain wise it was fine, but you will be adjusting to a whole lot of things.

Hi - I had my surgery there on December 23 but was supposed to have it on November 22. They wouldn't go through with it the first time because my blood pressure was too high. I'm not a smoker so I dont know if they do a nicotine test but I wouldn't chance it. They are very careful

If you need a companion, they offer companion care for $350. I used it because no one could make it with me due to the holidays. My gal was trained in CPR and does this full time as a Blossom employee so knew what to expect. She was very nice, was with from the time I left the surgery center until I left for the IV therapy the following day.

It was Dr. Lissa Sakkada ( I think I spelled her last name wrong). Dr. Appel did the endoscopy. I met Dr Umbach on my first try, but I think he was on vacation when I came back. I really liked all of them.

Hi! Yes, I had my VSG with Blossom on December 23. I really liked their fast track procedure and have had no issues (other than hunger at times) since then. I was supposed to have my procedure right before Thanksgiving but when I got there, my BP was way too high and they sent me home to get it under control. I was at first angry bc I had told them I had high BP, but in the end it was fine. In retrospect, I was really stupid to have not gotten it under control to begin with. And they paid fof the second hotel stay, so all good. The people at Blossom and at Warm Springs (where the surgery is done) are all so nice. Many have had the procedure themselves. They put you up in a hotel nearby, and they have drivers that take you to and from your appointments. They are also so nice, and 2 of them have had the surgery. I was concerned about the billing having read some bad reviews. But I've had no issues at all, I paid the upfront quoted fee and nothing else. Let me know if I can answer any other questions!

I'm so glad you posted this. I'm a week out (it will be a week tomorrow) and I'm hungry. Might be head hunger, but I feel like I'm hungry. I kind of thought that was not supposed to happen after the sleeve. I have one more week of liquids and boy, it's hard right now.

Not allowed. Biohazard and all. Plus, yuck.