Hi all, my name is Lisa, my journey actually began a year ago when i was deliberating to have the sleeve or not, after years of yo yo dieting, gaining and losing. I have finally decided to have it done. I have Kaiser Insurance so went to my primary MD for the sought after referral for bariatric surgery. after many doctors visits he finally consented but added, you probably wont get approved for the surgery d/t your bmi is not high enough and you dont have any comorbs. okay, I am 5'9, 260 lbs, and yes I have no comorbs, but I dont want to have any either. I do have shortness of breath even when sleeping, IBS(irritable bowel syndrome)plantar faschitis, osteoarthritis in my right knee, stress incontinence, gerd, do I need to go on.lol. well that being said, I decided okay since my surgery isnt going to pay for my surgery then I will pay for it my self, hence the surgery in mexico. well last week imagine my surprise when i got an appointment card in the mail with the RNP on Oct 6th, I guess this is the first step for kaiser, checking your availability, bmi etc. but from what I understand its not a done deal, that still doesnt make you approved. I guess I am still going to keep my appointment in November and see what my appointment on Oct 6 has to offer. I am scared and anxious at the same time, but finally glad to be able to get this weight off and keep it off for good. thanks all for letting me vent.

Hi and welcome. My surgery is Monday, but I have a friend who would like to get the sleeve but she has limited income. Would you mind sharing with me the cost in Mexico without airfare? Perhaps if it is more reasonable than here she will have hope. Thanks

Hi all, my name is Lisa, my journey actually began a year ago when i was deliberating to have the sleeve or not, after years of yo yo dieting, gaining and losing. I have finally decided to have it done. I have Kaiser Insurance so went to my primary MD for the sought after referral for bariatric surgery. after many doctors visits he finally consented but added, you probably wont get approved for the surgery d/t your bmi is not high enough and you dont have any comorbs. okay, I am 5'9, 260 lbs, and yes I have no comorbs, but I dont want to have any either. I do have shortness of breath even when sleeping, IBS(irritable bowel syndrome)plantar faschitis, osteoarthritis in my right knee, stress incontinence, gerd, do I need to go on.lol. well that being said, I decided okay since my surgery isnt going to pay for my surgery then I will pay for it my self, hence the surgery in mexico. well last week imagine my surprise when i got an appointment card in the mail with the RNP on Oct 6th, I guess this is the first step for kaiser, checking your availability, bmi etc. but from what I understand its not a done deal, that still doesnt make you approved. I guess I am still going to keep my appointment in November and see what my appointment on Oct 6 has to offer. I am scared and anxious at the same time, but finally glad to be able to get this weight off and keep it off for good. thanks all for letting me vent.

Hi Monty, welcome also. I was going through Dr Mario Almanza, cost without airfare is 4500.00( you pay 500.00 down through paypal fully refundable to hold the surgery date then you owe 4000.00, can pay through pay pal, cc, money order, or pay it all with a travelers check on day of surgery. you can schedule all the way up to a year later. it is great. she can go through his Liaison, Louise Johnson, 8668064286 or email her louise_jerusalemhospital@yahoo.com or go on gastricsleeve.com Hope this helps, best of luck on your surgery monday. hope all goes well, and hope your friend is able to get it done also

Hi Monty, welcome also. I was going through Dr Mario Almanza, cost without airfare is 4500.00( you pay 500.00 down through paypal fully refundable to hold the surgery date then you owe 4000.00, can pay through pay pal, cc, money order, or pay it all with a travelers check on day of surgery. you can schedule all the way up to a year later. it is great. she can go through his Liaison, Louise Johnson, 8668064286 or email her louise_jerusalemhospital@yahoo.com or go on gastricsleeve.com Hope this helps, best of luck on your surgery monday. hope all goes well, and hope your friend is able to get it done also

Welcome! I just had my surgery there the 22nd, they take good care of you!

Thank you so much and welcome also. I cant wait. congrats on your surgery, how r you feeling? you have already lost 10lbs way to go! I get soooo excited hearing about everyones weight loss, I am counting down the days!

Welcome! I just had my surgery there the 22nd, they take good care of you!

Thank you so much and welcome also. I cant wait. congrats on your surgery, how r you feeling? you have already lost 10lbs way to go! I get soooo excited hearing about everyones weight loss, I am counting down the days!

Thank you for asking, I'm doing well. It's nice to lose weight and I feel I have more energy every day. Plus you get the support of the good people here.

Hi Monty, welcome also. I was going through Dr Mario Almanza, cost without airfare is 4500.00( you pay 500.00 down through paypal fully refundable to hold the surgery date then you owe 4000.00, can pay through pay pal, cc, money order, or pay it all with a travelers check on day of surgery. you can schedule all the way up to a year later. it is great. she can go through his Liaison, Louise Johnson, 8668064286 or email her louise_jerusalemhospital@yahoo.com or go on gastricsleeve.com Hope this helps, best of luck on your surgery monday. hope all goes well, and hope your friend is able to get it done also

Hi Monty, welcome also. I was going through Dr Mario Almanza, cost without airfare is 4500.00( you pay 500.00 down through paypal fully refundable to hold the surgery date then you owe 4000.00, can pay through pay pal, cc, money order, or pay it all with a travelers check on day of surgery. you can schedule all the way up to a year later. it is great. she can go through his Liaison, Louise Johnson, 8668064286 or email her louise_jerusalemhospital@yahoo.com or go on gastricsleeve.com Hope this helps, best of luck on your surgery monday. hope all goes well, and hope your friend is able to get it done also

Thanks so much. I am getting excited and anxious!

Thanks for that info. I wil pass it on to her

I had surgery in Mexico in August. I went to Dr. Ramos Kelly. If you are going to go to Mexico make sure you do your homework and choose a surgeon who has a good reputation, not just the cheapest one.

Best of luck on your journey!!

Thanks, I'll tell my friend.

I had surgery in Mexico in August. I went to Dr. Ramos Kelly. If you are going to go to Mexico make sure you do your homework and choose a surgeon who has a good reputation, not just the cheapest one.

Best of luck on your journey!!

At 5.9. & 260lbs your bmi is not high enough for bariatric surgery approval

Consider having a sleep study. Like yours, my BMI was below 40 (and over 35) but I was recently diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, so I now qualify. I snored for years and thought it was my allergies!

In the meantime find out if your insurance requires proof of obesity. Mine does, but if your doesn't, you "only" have to gain 11 pounds, which could be done the fun way or the "weights in your bra" way. I only know this 'cause I read it here. Good luck!

Are you sure you aren't 5'8" and 265? lol Okay, I'm kidding...a little

Hi all, my name is Lisa, my journey actually began a year ago when i was deliberating to have the sleeve or not, after years of yo yo dieting, gaining and losing. I have finally decided to have it done. I have Kaiser Insurance so went to my primary MD for the sought after referral for bariatric surgery. after many doctors visits he finally consented but added, you probably wont get approved for the surgery d/t your bmi is not high enough and you dont have any comorbs. okay, I am 5'9, 260 lbs, and yes I have no comorbs, but I dont want to have any either. I do have shortness of breath even when sleeping, IBS(irritable bowel syndrome)plantar faschitis, osteoarthritis in my right knee, stress incontinence, gerd, do I need to go on.lol. well that being said, I decided okay since my surgery isnt going to pay for my surgery then I will pay for it my self, hence the surgery in Mexico. well last week imagine my surprise when i got an appointment card in the mail with the RNP on Oct 6th, I guess this is the first step for kaiser, checking your availability, bmi etc. but from what I understand its not a done deal, that still doesnt make you approved. I guess I am still going to keep my appointment in November and see what my appointment on Oct 6 has to offer. I am scared and anxious at the same time, but finally glad to be able to get this weight off and keep it off for good. thanks all for letting me vent.

• Good luck with insurance coverage. If you have to go to Mexico (I did), then please don't go to ANY half price surgeons in Tijuana. I am going to get royally smacked for telling you this, but it is the truth: 95 per cent of all the horror stories you will read or hear about about on these forums and blogs (before they are deleted) are due to the person getting their surgery there. There is a reason they are so cheap. Trust me, if you can afford more, go somewhere else - to a REAL hospital.

  Hi all, my name is Lisa, my journey actually began a year ago when i was deliberating to have the sleeve or not, after years of yo yo dieting, gaining and losing. I have finally decided to have it done. I have Kaiser Insurance so went to my primary MD for the sought after referral for bariatric surgery. after many doctors visits he finally consented but added, you probably wont get approved for the surgery d/t your bmi is not high enough and you dont have any comorbs. okay, I am 5'9, 260 lbs, and yes I have no comorbs, but I dont want to have any either. I do have shortness of breath even when sleeping, IBS(irritable bowel syndrome)plantar faschitis, osteoarthritis in my right knee, stress incontinence, gerd, do I need to go on.lol. well that being said, I decided okay since my surgery isnt going to pay for my surgery then I will pay for it my self, hence the surgery in mexico. well last week imagine my surprise when i got an appointment card in the mail with the RNP on Oct 6th, I guess this is the first step for kaiser, checking your availability, bmi etc. but from what I understand its not a done deal, that still doesnt make you approved. I guess I am still going to keep my appointment in November and see what my appointment on Oct 6 has to offer. I am scared and anxious at the same time, but finally glad to be able to get this weight off and keep it off for good. thanks all for letting me vent.