So I've thought long and hard about this - I've decided to go to Mexico and have the surgery done. I've been through flaming hoops with insurance companies 5 times now and I just don't want to do it again. I have the funds to go to Mexico and just get it done and not deal with red tape. I'm pretty sure I'm going to see Dr. Almanza, however Dr. Aceves is also appealing to me. I think they're both exceptional surgeons, I'm just waiting to hear back from their coordinators with the answers to some questions I have asked. I have to get a new passport since mine is long expired. Anyone have any idea how long it takes to get a passport these days? I want to schedule my surgery for as soon as possible. Also, since I'll be using ground transportation between the US and Mexico, can I use a passport card instead of a passport? Has anyone done that?

Hi,

if the reason that your insurance company isn't approving you is that your BMI isn't high enough, you should forward this position statement to them. http://asmbs.org/2011/11/a-pathway-to-endoscopic-bariatric-therapie/

BCBS based their requirement of a BMI of 50 or higher on an earlier position paper from this organization that essentially said that the sleeve is recommended for people with a 50 or higher BMI but further research is needed before they could recommend it as a primary method. However in the statement that I gave the link for, they now recommend it as a primary surgery. This statement just came out at the end of October so insurance companies have probably not updated their surgery requirement to reflect the change. I know that you are probably tired of the appeals process but this might be a good shot at being able to get your surgery done close to home and paid by your insurance.

I would encourage you to continue the battle with your insurance company if they have not listed bariatric surgery as an exception.

But, to answer your question, I am going to Dr. Kelly in Tijuana on Monday and I am using a passport card. A portion of the monies paid for the surgery also goes toward ground transportation from San Diego to Tijuana. It took two and a half weeks for me to get a card (I paid for it to be expedited).

My BMI is plenty high enough. They don't cover bariatric surgery. Period. End of story. I've applied, appealed, appealed again. Its a NO.

Hi,

if the reason that your insurance company isn't approving you is that your BMI isn't high enough, you should forward this position statement to them. http://asmbs.org/201...atric-therapie/

BCBS based their requirement of a BMI of 50 or higher on an earlier position paper from this organization that essentially said that the sleeve is recommended for people with a 50 or higher BMI but further research is needed before they could recommend it as a primary method. However in the statement that I gave the link for, they now recommend it as a primary surgery. This statement just came out at the end of October so insurance companies have probably not updated their surgery requirement to reflect the change. I know that you are probably tired of the appeals process but this might be a good shot at being able to get your surgery done close to home and paid by your insurance.

thanks for the info! Yeah - have been fighting with insurance companies for 3 years - not fighting anymore. This insurance company doesn't cover anything. Period. I have the funds to pay cash in Mexico, so I'm going to do it. Let me know how your experience is! Good luck and I'll be praying you have a speedy recovery!

I would encourage you to continue the battle with your insurance company if they have not listed bariatric surgery as an exception.

But, to answer your question, I am going to Dr. Kelly in Tijuana on Monday and I am using a passport card. A portion of the monies paid for the surgery also goes toward ground transportation from San Diego to Tijuana. It took two and a half weeks for me to get a card (I paid for it to be expedited).

Surgery is scheduled for January 27th Had to schedule a little over a month out in order to have time to get my new passport What's really great is that my husband can also go with me now

Hello I had my surgery done with Dr. Almanza on 10-31-11 and every thing went fine while i was there. However i did get a horible UTI when i got home. So make sure you sip sip sip and sip some more. But i live in washington so i just went to the DMV and got my enhancement for my ID and it worked just fine. Good luck. See you on the other side..I will make soom for you on the losers bench...

awesome glad everything went fine! I've never had a UTI or a bladder infection so I definitely don't want to start that! Did you have a catheter? Is that what caused it?

Well to tell you the truth i am not sure, they did not tell me that i had one but i think that they did. Because i never get them and there was not reason for me to get one other than that. So make sure you take the antibiotics they give you. I was unable to swallow them so long story short the only one that ended my UTI was the one they gave me in mexico. I wish you the best of luck...You will do great...

Thank you shellyac and all of you for the informative websites regarding Health Insurance Coverages.

Circa, I wish you all the best of luck with your surgery,and safety in your travels...

You don't get a catheter when you have surgery. Your not allowed liquids 12 hours before so there is no need. Sometimes changes in bathing water, antibiotics and lack of liquids can trigger a uti. Best wishes

I applied for my passport card on December 1st. I received my passport card in the mail on December 13th. I did not pay the $60 extra to have it rushed either. Very quick turn around!

I would not go with Dr. Almonzo. Have you done any research with Dr. Ponce de Leon. I live here in Mexico and he is one of the best doctors here and I hear Drs and other people that live here and know all the doctors say that if they need surgery it would be him they would go to.

i went to dr.ponce de leon and had the no troubles

I would not go with Dr. Almonzo. Have you done any research with dr. Ponce de leon. I live here in Mexico and he is one of the best doctors here and I hear Drs and other people that live here and know all the doctors say that if they need surgery it would be him they would go to.

No one said you had to go to Dr. Almanza. Of course I've done my research - have YOU? I don't appreciate your negative comments without any backup - you don't know anything about Dr. Almanza. My guess, by the number of posts you've made, as well as the content of the posts, is that you WORK for another doctor. Go troll somewhere else. I don't doubt that Dr. Ponce de Leon is a great doctor. I wonder how he would feel about you badmouthing other surgeons you know NOTHING about?

Found out my passport card will be here around Wednesday. Hubby's is still "processing" which is weird because his went in like 4 days before mine. Hope there's not a problem with his...