Malaika

Okay, I think I might have figured it out (with WaSa's help) so I guess we'll see as time goes on. I'll add my ticker once I have been accepted by Dr. Aceves as eligible for surgery and go from there -- at least now I know where to go to "play around" with different options. It all seems so easy now ... :thumbup:

Thanks WasA, I appreciate the help. I believe I've got it figured out now.

Okay, I give up. I'm not computer illiterate by any means; however, apparently I am not smart enough to figure out how to put my ticker on my profile and all the other information you all have ... can someone please help??????

I've got such a sick sense of humor that I'd change my avatar to a pig and if you talk to your daughter on the phone, start snorting ... sorry ... don't deal well with people who can't support the decision you've made.

I just applied for financing - so I will wait and see what happens. It always scary because I had a bankruptcy 9 years ago due to my (now) ex-husband's gambling issues and even though I have purchased 3 new cars since then, bought a house and have a few credit cards, that is always the reason I am denied. I can't wait for 2010 when it will be OFF my credit report. I'll keep you posted on the financing issue. Also, am waiting to hear from Nina as to my "eligibility" for surgery -- I don't think there was anything in that that should cause an issue ... and I told her I'd like the 12th and she thought it was very nice to want to keep you company.

You don't know for sure that the doctor was the one that sent it ... or that he knows your side of the story ... trust me, his front desk staff and office manager can be sneaky ... in an effort to protect themselves. I've found sometimes they are just down right nasty and then when I actually get the opportunity to talk to the doctor himself (re deposition, expert testimony, etc.) s/he had no idea. So, if you aren't ready to let the matter lie, I would take the time to send him a letter. If you're so over it by now, then I'd put the matter to bed and move on. :thumbup:

Ruthie - I received an email from Nina this evening - she must be working late - and have filled out the forms. Guess I better get busy and see if I can get financing. I have my passport already -- we got them last year. My DBF wanted me to ask anyone if they have ever been charged more than the quoted price once at the hospital. I know you're in a hurry to get the surgery ... but I don't think I can get everything in order by the 5th of June ... I might be able to, but the 12th would give me another week ... can you wait another week to have company for the journey? I will keep you posted ... just heard an official case of swine flu has hit the LV Valley and that a toddler died in Texas - first death in the US. Scary stuff.

I will strive for the 12th -- hope you're already working on your passport - it takes time. DBF said we can just drive to Mexicali ... he's been there before .. I don't totally understand the airport/driver thing -- is it just a meeting place or do you fly somewhere? (Sorry if that's a stupid question). I've asked Nina what I need to do to get the whole process started ... do you know? If so I'll start on it tonight!!! Let's definitely keep in touch -- I'll "loan" DBF to you ... he would love a threesome ... ROFLOL ... :ohmy:

Trust me, you won't die without any soda. I was diagnosed with GERD 20 years ago and haven't had a soda since -- and I'm still alive and kickin' ... I've found that I can't drink milk of anykind - cow, soy, rice, coconut ... well, I drink it, it just causes me some gastro issues ... seems to not be as bad if I use a Protein powder in a smoothie. Ice cream and whipped cream are killers so I haven't had those in a few years ... unfortunately, I've discovered Golden Spoon yogurt ... fat free, yet not sugar free ... What is Dr. Aceves take on NSAIDs and BC? My GYN has me on BC more for hormones (lowest dosage available) than anything else and it seems to work for the most part; would hate to have to give them up ... tried that a year ago and talk about your own personal summer ... I would wake up drenched in the middle of the night ... and cry at the drop of a hat ... don't want to go through that and can guarantee that my DBF doesn't either! :ohmy: Remember - NOTHING tastes as good as THIN (will) feels. And certainly not a SODA!

I have a very high pain threshold, so I am hoping that the pain is minimal; however, I will endure whatever as I know this is the best thing for me and will be totally worth it. Plus, I have all of you now to help me through it and share with me. I am so happy to have found this site!:ohmy:

Seeing as though I've never had surgery of any type, I don't know what to expect, so if you do the conference call, I can't be held responsible for what I may say ... I've heard people do strange things under the influence of anesthesia

Hey Ruth -- If I can get my financing and everything lined up by the 12th I'd be happy to go with you -- you're not going by yourself are you? My DBF is going with me -- he's being SO SUPPORTIVE and is behind me 100% ... waiting to hear from Nina as to what the next step is ... and hoping the swine flu matter is under control before I make the trip. LA is right on the way between LV and SD so it's completely doable if they can get me in around then. I'll keep you posted!

Susan - I work with doctors and their offices all the time -- my guess would be that your doctor has absolutely NO IDEA what has happened and that he never saw your email. I had an issue with my doctor's office (over a billing issue) and couldn't get any results from his billing department, so I sent him a letter - REGISTERED -- that way ONLY he can get the letter ... or send it FedEx with restricted delivery where he has to sign for it -- and let him know what happened. My guess is that he doesn't have a clue. I also suspect that since it is his name and reputation that will suffer, not that of his support staff, that there will be a come to Jesus talk. I know that most doctors do care about the well being of their patients and are not in it only for the money ... sometimes the staff tends to take the "policy" to literal and won't cut anyone any slack. As for them feeling "threatened" by you I'm sure it's more they are worried that the doctor will find out what they have done than anything you can do to them. Word of mouth can be helpful or detrimental ... they've made a huge mistake and the doctor needs to be made aware of what has happened. Let us know what happens.:ohmy:

AHHHH Beth you got me ... LOL ... I should have said other than the R at the end of the word, where is there ANOTHER R in WASHER ... good catch ... I love your sense (or is that since or cents? HAHA) of humor!!!:laugh:

Thanks for the update. Who needs sleep? You can sleep when your dead. She needs to be awake and ready to face her new life and not waste a single minute of it!! (Now, I just have to remember that when I have my surgery) :ohmy:

And what a lovely hat it is --whoever would want to cover up such a beautiful thing as that? :biggrin:

Rosey - TRUST ME - I am DEFINITELY looking into it and each day more swayed that Dr. Aceves is the way to go. Luckily, I live close enough to San Diego that I can drive - it's about a 4-5 hour drive, but completely doable and generally done in less time than it takes at the airport by the time you check in at least 2 hours early and sit around and wait - then an hour flight ... generally everytime I've flown from LV to SD, my plane has been delayed and so I drive whenever possible. I have a consulation with Dr. Teng here in LV; however, from what I'm hearing on his cost, etc., and since I am a self-pay, I am 99% sure that I'll be heading to Mexico in the near future ... would love to get this done sooner than later and start my new life!:biggrin:

Good luck Oregondaisy on your surgery. I will be watching this thread closely to follow your journey. I wish you a quick recovery and a safe trip home. Keep us posted!

I agree -- I'd have to have something pretty serious before I'd let them put wires in my brain...one slip and well...that is what scares me about eye surgery too -- you only have 2 eyes and if the computer malfunctions well then what do you do? At least with the sleeve there are other options. Scary stuff as fas as I'm concerned.

Yes, WaSa, Dr. Teng. You live in LV? Know of him?

Susan - SOOOOOOOOO glad you are feeling better -- I am sure it was a bit scary. I can't believe people thought you actually had the swine flu. Thanks for the information on the sleeve, I received an email today from Nina at Dr. Aceves office. I am to meet with a surgeon here in LV who is one of the best in the city and did my DBF hernia repair -- he's very anal and he, too, has never had a leak or a slipped band ... so if he's unable to meet or at least come close to the price Dr. Aceves gave me, I'll be going to Mexico. We live in Las Vegas, so will probably just drive down there ... or do you think it best to fly from San Diego to Mexicali? Not so much worried about the trip down - thinking of the trip home after surgery. Hopefully I'll meet others on here who will have surgery close to mine ... I'll be sure to let everyone know once I have a date.

I lived in New England for a while and it was always "WARSHER" ... tell me where there is an "R" in Washer? After leaving NE we moved to Indiana. I lived there for 28 years and after marrying, my mother-in-law constantly said "Southmore" instead of "Sophomore" and "liberry" instead of library. My DBF uses the mute not moot - and working in the legal field, I can't help but correct him! I love this thread ... LOL

Hi Susan This will be my first WLS. I was leaning toward the band; however, the more I read and the more I research, I believe the sleeve is the right answer for me. Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it. I'd like to get it done sooner than later as we're going on a cruise in September and I'd like to be thinner before then. (BTW - great name ... mine is Susan, too!)

CONGRATULATIONS! Is the cost that much less in Mexico compared to US? I just found out that my insurance has an exclusion for surgical and non-surgical treatment of obesity, so it's going to be a self-pay. Everything I read about Dr. Aceves has me wondering if I should be checking out Mexico. The surgeon I've found here is awesome; however I've ready nothing bad about Dr. Aceves so I'd like to be able to compare prices. Thanks. Again, CONGRATS!

I agree too ... how about there and their? They left their hat over there ... just figured I was the only one who caught those errors and wrote it off to occupational "hazard" so to speak! Glad to know (not NO) I'm not the only one!!