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I think you guys are considerably younger (just googled deal a meal and it looks like you were in elementary school in 1987-ish' date=' about 20 years after me!) I don't remember those diets, but have tried my share of others in the past few years. It just gets harder as you get older, you are doing the right thing dealing with it now, and getting to enjoy the benefits for longer.[/quote']

Yep that's right!! Elementary in 80s high school 89-93 ;))

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Wow, you guys are babies. I started college in 1980:)

My forum name is actually outdated now, it should be "FacedFifty". Much better off at 50 than 49, thanks to the sleeve. I am actually meeting my two best friends from college in about 3 wks in Ireland, I am so glad that I will be able to lose some weight before seeing them, I was kind of hating the idea of facing them before.

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wow im blown away at how many responses i got so quickly being as this was my first ever post (im hoping the first of many). Thank you! Im excited to be part of this community and i thank you all for your responses and support.

Im sorry that so many people have such a hard time with their insurance companies. Just to give you a little background on me, im 31 female, BMI of 38 with high blood pressure (on medication), and high cholesterol. I approached my general physician and he was really supportive about the surgery (i asked him about Lapland and he actually suggested the sleeve) and referred me to a surgical group. I called to have it pre approved with my insurance, i have Horizon BCBS NJ and they said as long as i have all the medical supporting documents from my doctor, that it is fully covered. All that i will have to pay is my surgery deductible which is $2500 and any copays etc.

I dont want to jump the gun or anything, like i said my first consult appoint is this Thursday, but i guess im "one of the lucky ones" that my insurance will cover it. (that is if i dont get denied, im assuming they will require me to do the standard 6 month supervised diet).

I didnt even begin to think that would be the reason that so many people would look at Mexico as an option but now it all makes sense. But with the cost being so high and uncompromising insurance companies, i can understand why people would look at Mexico as a solution.

I wish everyone the best of luck and i apologize in advance for asking the 45837 questions that im sure are to follow as i continue on this journey with all of you.

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I'm glad you have had a good experience with an understanding doctor. I have to say, despite the fact that I could not get insurance coverage, it was a really good/easy experience. I have pretty much sailed through the first month with no real problems, I have not had a minute of regret.

And ask away, for the most part this is a really informative, helpful board.

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I have insurance like you but I am going to Mexico anyways. My main reason is that after I pay my deductible and copays I will come out cheaper going to Mexico. Another reason is that I want the surgery now, not in 6-12 months. Also it doesn't hurt that my husband and I will get a mini vacation while our kids are at my moms for the week.

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I have my first visit with my surgeon and NUT today... I went to a few seminars before I picked a place and I guess I am a "lucky one" too with the ins. BCBS FEP and from what I understand I've gotta do a 3 month supervised diet and the other prerequisites have already been met or will be by this docs program... I am nervous about what they will say. So far the only thing I know isn't going my way is that my doc uses a certain NUT and she doesn't accept my ins. Even though I get 6 visits free a year to someone in-network. The pre-op NUT visits are going to cost over half of what the surgery will cost but I won't let that hold me back one single day! The more I read and learn about this the more I wonder why I haven't already done it!

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[ATTACH]9059[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]9059[/ATTACH]

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post-31239-13813662916618_thumb.png

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Wow! Lookin great!

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131 gone science june

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By choosing Mexico because of money you are not sacrificing care or professionalism with the surgeon. Choosing the right dr makes a world of difference.

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I totally agree, Janarae, I would have just paid full freight in the US if I'd thought that I could not find a Mexican surgeon who could give me as good care as I would have received in the US. There were a handful of people that I felt were as good or better than US doctors just because they had done so many of these procedures (it's been legal for longer there) and with so few apparent statistical problems and so many good reviews.

The only drawback I could see was that follow up for complications might not be covered by my insurance since the surgery wasn't. I weighed out the possibility of that, plus the fact that since I am in LA (close to the surgeon in Tijuana) and thought it was worth it.

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The only drawback I could see was that follow up for complications might not be covered by my insurance since the surgery wasn't. I weighed out the possibility of that, plus the fact that since I am in LA (close to the surgeon in Tijuana) and thought it was worth it.

Regardless of where I got my surgery my lame a$$ insurance won't pay for any follow up or complication. Even if I was dying they say, "nope, sorry ... die or self pay"

Price wasn't my only reason to go to MX. I've had experience with MX surgeons and they seem to have a pride in their care mannerism that I haven't found in the states.

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I agree, I had my band in Mexico 4/11 and when I decided to have a revision I had no problem deciding to come back to Mexico, my experience was far better for these 2 surgeries then any of my others in the us. The concern and care the nurses and dr have in Mexico by far out shine those who cared for me in the US.

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Yay for us!!! Isn't it great not to have to worry about testing sugar all the time (not to mention going blind and all the other stuff?)

I think a lot of PCPs think that people like us are trying to "take the easy way out". I could tell that my PCP was dead set against it. I think that in a few years surgery like/related to this will be routinely available to people who are seriously diabetic' date=' at least Type 2's, regardless of weight. So much better than the alternative.[/quote']

My pcp is super supportive. He tried to help me around my insurances exclusion contract with my employer. No dice. He is supportive of Mx too and will take good care of me postop.

Amanda Rae

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Wow' date=' you guys are babies. I started college in 1980:)

My forum name is actually outdated now, it should be "FacedFifty". Much better off at 50 than 49, thanks to the sleeve. I am actually meeting my two best friends from college in about 3 wks in Ireland, I am so glad that I will be able to lose some weight before seeing them, I was kind of hating the idea of facing them before.[/quote']

I was BORN in 1980! :-)

Ireland with a healthier you and college friends! Sounds fabulous!

Amanda Rae

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  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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