Hello Everyone,

Need some help, opinions, and advise here. I decided to do my surgery in Mexico, why? Because I did not want to wait, (bottom-line). I do have insurance, good insurance BSBC however it is a PPO which means I would have to pay 20% out of pocket for every bill I would accrue through-out this VSG process: doctor visits monthly and weekly, nutritionist, surgery blah blahblah. In the long run I believe I still would of paid more out of pocket doing the surgery in the states. Oh, and I live in North Dakota where doctors here are VSG what's that. I truly feel more comfortable having surgery in Mexico where I know my doctor specializes in VSG and only VSG.

Here is what I am having trouble with... Do I consult with my primary care doctor I'm going to Mexico to have the VSG done? I know I have too. What do state doctors say when their patient tells them this? Will my primary doctor still run blood work on me after the fact? What happens next?

What have been some of your experience with your doctors? Thank you my VSG friends? Let me know.

Rosana

Thanks for all your replies guys but maybe I wasn't clear (i know I wasn't clear). I booked my flight and my doctor (Dr. Illan Fraijo) and I am doing the VSG on November 5th of 2013.

Do I tell my primary doctor? I know I have to but then what do I do? Is my doctor going to send me to a nutritionist here in the states etc... Or is this something I Completely do on my own with out my primary full support?

Have any of you ladies gone to your primary care doctor here in the states and what steps have you taken after? Nutritionist, psychologist etc... When it's a self-pay VSG?

I did not have surgery in Mexico, but I did have surgery out of state. We were living in Wisconsin and at that time, NOBODY there has sleeve surgery, whereas it is common here in the south. I didn't leave the country, but I did leave the state. I went to my PCP and told her what I was planning on doing and her only advice was 'Choose a Center Of Excellence physician". Ok, did that. I was self pay as well, so I did not have to jump through any hoops to get surgery, I could have attended the seminar (required), seen the doctor, gotten instructions on the pre-op stuff and scheduled surgery all within three weeks, had I chosen to. The visits/classes with the dietitian were included in the price, as were follow up for the first year. 3, 6,9 and 12 months. I have had two different people IM me about 'diet' - what to eat at a certain stage. They'd had surgery in MX but were not given a specific plan for the first five or six weeks. I have no idea who they went to, it doesn't really matter, the point is, you need to make sure you have something given to you upon discharge about what to eat. I.E. Clear liquids, full liquids, soft diet and moving on to regular foods. What does he say about grams of sugar, does he focus on carbs, how much Protein.....just general things like that. Have something in hand!! I have what I call my bariatric Bible, I got it at the seminar and it has everything in it. What to expect upon arrival at the hospital the morning of......all the way through diet, exercise and pages in the back for measurements, weights etc for the first two years! It's great and even now, I refer back to it some times. If you do NOT get something, contact me, somebody put our "Bible" on line and I can send you a link to it!!! Good luck!! I am sure your PCP will take care of you. I don't know that I'd go tell him/her prior......you know, it's easier to get forgiveness than it is to get permission. You'll have to find a dietitian, find one that is familiar with WLS patients, and go. Even if they're use to dealing with RNY patients, they can guide you. Also, find a support group, just go, they're usually 'open' to anyone, and well worth your time!!

I did not have surgery in Mexico, but I did have surgery out of state. We were living in Wisconsin and at that time, NOBODY there has sleeve surgery, whereas it is common here in the south. I didn't leave the country, but I did leave the state. I went to my PCP and told her what I was planning on doing and her only advice was 'Choose a Center Of Excellence physician". Ok, did that. I was self pay as well, so I did not have to jump through any hoops to get surgery, I could have attended the seminar (required), seen the doctor, gotten instructions on the pre-op stuff and scheduled surgery all within three weeks, had I chosen to. The visits/classes with the dietitian were included in the price, as were follow up for the first year. 3, 6,9 and 12 months. I have had two different people IM me about 'diet' - what to eat at a certain stage. They'd had surgery in MX but were not given a specific plan for the first five or six weeks. I have no idea who they went to, it doesn't really matter, the point is, you need to make sure you have something given to you upon discharge about what to eat. I.E. clear liquids, full liquids, soft diet and moving on to regular foods. What does he say about grams of sugar, does he focus on carbs, how much Protein.....just general things like that. Have something in hand!! I have what I call my bariatric Bible, I got it at the seminar and it has everything in it. What to expect upon arrival at the hospital the morning of......all the way through diet, exercise and pages in the back for measurements, weights etc for the first two years! It's great and even now, I refer back to it some times. If you do NOT get something, contact me, somebody put our "Bible" on line and I can send you a link to it!!! Good luck!! I am sure your PCP will take care of you. I don't know that I'd go tell him/her prior......you know, it's easier to get forgiveness than it is to get permission. You'll have to find a dietitian, find one that is familiar with WLS patients, and go. Even if they're use to dealing with RNY patients, they can guide you. Also, find a support group, just go, they're usually 'open' to anyone, and well worth your time!!

Thank you so much for your great advise. Please do send me that link for the "VSG/WLS Bible" I would greatly appreciate it. I have done lots of home work since I am self-pay I have to take full responsibility to educate mysel. I did find from the University of Missouri Health System, The Missouri Bariatric Services,"Guidelines Before & After Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy" I found this booklet extremely informative and helpful.

Thank you again for the great advise and sharing your experience with me; please send me that link.

I would love if you could possibly post a link for that as well. Flying to Tijuana this Wednesday morning for sleeve Thursday. I don't know what I will be given post op so would love to see what info you had as to post op eating.

Thanks so much

Teri

I would love if you could possibly post a link for that as well. Flying to Tijuana this Wednesday morning for sleeve Thursday. I don't know what I will be given post op so would love to see what info you had as to post op eating.

Thanks so much

Teri

Here is the link http://www.muhealth.org/documents/bariatric/bariatric%20booklet%20vsg.pdf

Missouri Bariatrics Services is one of the leading if not the best in anything to do with braiatrics WLS. Hope this helps you as it di for me.

I would love if you could possibly post a link for that as well. Flying to Tijuana this Wednesday morning for sleeve Thursday. I don't know what I will be given post op so would love to see what info you had as to post op eating.

Thanks so much

Teri

Teri, I forgot to wish you best wishes and God bless you. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

Here is the link http://www.muhealth.org/documents/bariatric/bariatric%20booklet%20vsg.pdf

Missouri Bariatrics Services is one of the leading if not the best in anything to do with braiatrics WLS. Hope this helps you as it di for me.

I also found the MU booklet VERY helpful and I read through it many times prior to my surgery and referred to it frequently since surgery. Actually, I read through ALL of their materials, particularly their information on preventing DVT. My doctor in Mexico did send me home with a postoperative diet AND I had a nutritionist available to me, but I also found the MU information very helpful as it went into a lot more detail.

Y'all are so welcome. Good luck and if you have any questions, just ask. Keep in mind, this is just like the one given to me three years ago, some things may have changed a little, but over all, I think everything is just about the same. I DO know that when I first attended the seminar, we were told no aspirin or meds with aspirin in it, I.E. Naproxin but now, after the first year SLEEVE patients can take these things, WITH food and if there are no side effects. Our little tummies don't want to get an ulcer!! Again, good luck, you're going to be thrilled with the results, I'm sure of it!!

http://www.forestparkmedical.com/media/pdf/bypass-sleeve-education-manual.pdf

Here is the link http://www.muhealth....booklet vsg.pdf

Missouri Bariatrics Services is one of the leading if not the best in anything to do with braiatrics WLS. Hope this helps you as it di for me.

Even at three years out, we can all still use something new to look at and refer to!! Thanks for posting a link to MU Health......I've book marked it and am scanning through it now!!!

http://www.forestpar...tion-manual.pdf

Good manual! I used it a few times although my surgeon gave me one specific to his guidelines. I wish the one from my surgeon was available electronically.