artteacher698

I posted same question on the other site and was told that I shouldnt need one...blah blah blah.... How many of you had it done at 3 months? Thanks Kris

My pcp was happy to oblige! I used it as a perfect opportunity for a yearly physical...blood work etc standard . I got the Upper GI done with a medical order to check for acid reflux damage post surgery. No problems! K

Just fyi, My pcp wrote the scrip for the upper Gi..she wrote it up for Acid reflux. Insurance covered it fully. k

ooops..yes...sorry..but there are so many deals out there...i would check it out!

The only extra expenses you have with Dr. Aceves is your dinner the night before surgery and food for whoever accompanies you if you bring someone. Everything else was covered..transport to and from airport, hotel, preop tests, 3 nights in the hospital and he sends you home with 2 weeks of meds. Create a few expense lists and see which is less...BUT make sure your doc in US has experience and compare hospital stays as well! Good luck! k

Yes... I asked for a receipt which was no prob. You also can deduct your travel expenses, flight, taxi, etc....so keep track!

i'm sorry...but my reaction is strong....save up for a few more months and have dr. Aceves do the surgery....I have NEVER heard a bad thing spoken about Dr. Aceves and his hospital since i started on OH....Its a tough choice to wait...but I would! k

I dont know what Dr. Aceves is charging now...but I paid $8,750 for everything and was able to write it all off on my taxes...so technically it cost much less! He is a gem...I am so glad that I chose him and his hospital! Kris ps....if i had used my local surgeon it would have been 30K and only one night in the hospital! Ohhhhhh and my surgeon in nj had done under 5 VSG's...duh!~

hi, so glad you chose dr. Aceves! he is wonderful! I have a few suggestions! I stayed an extra night on the way home in the hotel that his office recommended. We actually walked around "Old Town" for about 2 hours that day. We flew home early the next am.. 1. Arrange for a wheelchair to pick you up at the arrival doors and take you thru security and to the gate. It is a large airport and may be tough to walk. 2. see if they will upgrade you to 1st class..I was lucky to fly first class home which made it much more comfy. 3. bring some decaf t-bags ..they may not have any and you dont want to drink reg tea on the plane. 4. I brought a heating pad to the hospital and used it constantly...I bought the instant heating pads from the pharmacy and held them on my belly in the plane..they lasted for the entire trip... 5. arrange for a wheelchair to meet you once you get home. Just ask the flight attendant during the flight..he/she will arrange it for you. Just remember...you just had major surgery..i wasn't in lots of pain, just exhausted...listen to your body and take advantage of services that are available! best of luck on your journey! Kris

wow...thats sooooooo expensive! I just asked my pcp for a perscrip...she wrote it with the Dx of GERD...insurance will cover it. I had my bloodwork done at 2 months because i wanted to know if i was on target..and was happily surprised to see a drop of 100 pts in cholesterol! all else was fine. Thanks for your response! k

i am 9 weeks out and my scars ...all 5 of them are still very obvious..my guess is that they will fade like my gallbladder scars did..time will tell. Doesn't bother me a bit tho. Battle scars! k

Mine must have been taken out in recovery...never saw or felt it again! Just covered with bright pink dye! Best of luck! look forward to knowing what you decided! Kris

hi, I was concerned as well when i found out that dr. Aceves used one, but I felt confident in his reasons why and was fine with the outcome. If you read posts from patients from other docs they often had morphine pumps and/or more pain after surgery. Dr. Aceves and his crew run an amazing "well oiled ship". Wait until you see the speed and organization with which the process is run! Best of luck! Kris

YES! I felt like I was losing my marbles! I'm sure it has to do with the level of calories etc. I started feeling soooo much better when i began forcing the clear protein! I made sf Jello with Isopure liquid and bought the assortment of NASTY nectar Proteins which i diligently sipped on all day... you will regain your sanity when you can start really getting some good Protein in! Kris

Megan, I'm sure you have already had the surgery...I believe Dr. Aceves does the spianl tap in order to limit the quantity of pain meds needed. He doesnt use a morphine pump etc after surgery.just IV. I had no consequences what-so-ever from having it done although they do warn you ahead that you may not be able to move your legs once you wake up in recovery for bout an hour. I don't remember even being in rocovery LOL..so not an issue for me! Docs are amazing..just relax and let the staff take care of you! Best of luck Kris

I asked the surgeon that i intended to use in NJ...he said NOPE...so I went to Dr. Aceves and could'nt be happier! I had no interest in wasting time fighting with the insurance and waiting for the policy to chance! Once I had made up my mind...it was just TIME! kris

Hi Kai, I had my surgery with Dr. Aceves on 11/19...an incredible experience! My original intent was to have WLS locally. I did 5 out of 6 months of jumping thru hoops for insurance company..all the tests etc. Then found out that there was NO chance that it would be covered..and if I chose self pay for my surgeon here it would have been 30 K for surgery and 1 night in the hospital...UMMMMMMMM (oh and he has only done 3 VSG's) SO i started my investigation. You are in the right place for both info, and support! You will be amazed at the quality of service and attention you will get from Dr. A and Dr. Campos. They were in my room at least 4-5x a day EACH! Dr. C found out that my honey loved starbucks...so he actually would pick up a coffee for him on his way to work in the am! Can you imagine that happeing in the US? HAHAHAH You are making a great decision..one that will affect you for the rest of your life! I'm down 31 lbs and on the road to a much happier and healthier me! Feel free to ask any questions you may have! Happy New year Kris

best of luck next week! You will be well taken care of! I do have to tell you that having my honey join me made him a believer and that was great to have when we returned home. He couldnt stop gushing about the docs, hospital, cleanliness etc. I think friends and family tended to need that confirmation. They already thought I was looney! Your hubby may still be able to cross the border with other documents. I would call nina or the office to check. It might eliminate some of his stress to be there..to see the top notch facility etc with his own eyes. AND if he does feel comfy there..it might lead to his own surgery in the future! Happy New year with a new tummy! Kris

yes, my honey slept on a leather sofa for 3 nights..he was quite comfy. The hospital provides bedding, towels and shampoo for both of you as well. He would go down to the hospital cafe with the other "supporters" for meals..it becomes such a family atmosphere. You meet other patients on your burp walks up and down the hallways! Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos are the best! Kris

hey..dont know who you are asking bout powder..i HATED the protein powder..the only one i can stomach is the unjury unflavored...the shakes i drink are premade. k

yup..it tastes great...just make SURE the temp is lower than 130! I guess it clumps otherwise...yucko! unfortunately i got 2 HUGE tins of gourmet regular hot chocolate from my students! My son will be drinking it after he shovels snow! k

i know what you mean about the inconsistency! Its odd that one day I feel like i can eat my little portions and get to feel the energy..and the next I may struggle just to get the basics in. One day at a time! Sorry you are struggling with depression. It's a tough time for lots of folks! Just remember that you have given yourself this amazing gift and you are gonna ROCK it! I just tried making sugar free hot choc...tested the temp with a candy thermometer and when it was under 130 i added a scoop of the unjury unflavored powder. It was yummy! I did make it with fat free milk as well. Trust me..if i even smell the Protein i gag! So this passed the test with flying colors! enjoy your day! kris

hi Mona, I'm a 11/19 sleever too! I had a rough day yesterday..but all in all i'm feeling much better. I've lost 26 lbs but am definitely seeing a slowdown now. Havent seen a total stall but maybe 1/2 lb drop every 2-3 days. I hate all the dry whey proteins! I found one that I love at GNC, premixed in cans..not cheap but I figure they are basically my largest food expense of the day. Worldwide Protein drink, Cookies and cream and the chocolate. 35 grams protein, 170 cals and 4 carbs. I'm still amazed by how little I can eat of solid foods. Experimenting with different foods and combinations now. Although i still can't get my head to understand this..seem like the more calories we eat...under 1000..the faster we lose??? I'm lucky that I don't have to go back to work until Jan 4th (teacher) so I am working hard on being back to 100% in terms of energy ! enjoy the holidays! lets keep in touch ... Kris

I think he has a special now for $8750. That is what I paid as well.

Yes...as long as your flight arrives prior to 10:30 am or so...We ended up spending a night in San Diego before..Ernesto picked us up at the hotel and we were on our way to Mexicali in the am. You are escorted EVERY minute! The hotel we stayed in the night before surgery was great..all paid for except for the dinner. The hospital room was immaculate as Rosebud mentioned. I believe that housekeeping came into the room about 3x a day to mop etc. My hubby is 6'1 and managed to sleep quite comfortably on the leather sofa in the room. Towels etc were provided for the shower. So everything except for companion food and last supper is covered by his fee. I don't know what the charge would be for an extra night. Kris