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SELF PAYERS...please give me your insight



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@@SHANA55 sorry I accidentally hit Mrs O instead of you on my previous post... oops!

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@@Mrs_O I am a self payer in MN as well. Feel free to message me if you have questions but here is what I can tell you from my experience:

I researched several doctors and hospitals and found that Dr. Jonathan Gipson from Specialists in General Surgery was the best. He works out of Robbinsdale and Maple Grove and does surgery at Unity Hospital. My experience with him was FANTASTIC! He was very knowledgeable and spent time getting to know me and my situation.

My surgery costs were $18,000. How they do it is you have $5,500 down and can finance the rest through medcredit. We actually paid off a lot in the front. You have to pay the surgeon, the hospital, the anesthesiologist and the nurse anesthesiologist so there will be 4 bills that can be financed. The hospital is the one that makes you put $5,500 down because their cost is the most but it covers everything you will need for surgery and your stay at the hospital and the meds that you receive.

To be fair my husband would not let me go to Mexico for surgery but after my surgery we met a few people in person that did go to Mexico and if I did it all over again I would choose to go to Mexico for the cost. If I require plastics in the future I will certainly go to Mexico.

Let me know if you have any question - I am almost 4 months out.

Thanks!

Four months out??!! How exciting!! How are you doing? Feeling?

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@@SHANA55 sorry I accidentally hit Mrs O instead of you on my previous post... oops!

I assumed you were speaking to me. I definitely am going to Mexico and I am thinking I will go to Dr. Carlos Altamirano. He is very active online and on social media. I have also watched him do a couple sleeves on youtube and his Facebook. Or I've also heard great things about Dr. Ramos Kelly. But u can not beat $4500 all inclusive.

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@@Mrs_O I am a self payer in MN as well. Feel free to message me if you have questions but here is what I can tell you from my experience:

I researched several doctors and hospitals and found that Dr. Jonathan Gipson from Specialists in General Surgery was the best. He works out of Robbinsdale and Maple Grove and does surgery at Unity Hospital. My experience with him was FANTASTIC! He was very knowledgeable and spent time getting to know me and my situation.

My surgery costs were $18,000. How they do it is you have $5,500 down and can finance the rest through medcredit. We actually paid off a lot in the front. You have to pay the surgeon, the hospital, the anesthesiologist and the nurse anesthesiologist so there will be 4 bills that can be financed. The hospital is the one that makes you put $5,500 down because their cost is the most but it covers everything you will need for surgery and your stay at the hospital and the meds that you receive.

To be fair my husband would not let me go to Mexico for surgery but after my surgery we met a few people in person that did go to Mexico and if I did it all over again I would choose to go to Mexico for the cost. If I require plastics in the future I will certainly go to Mexico.

Let me know if you have any question - I am almost 4 months out.

Thanks!

Four months out??!! How exciting!! How are you doing? Feeling?

I definitely had to talk my husband into letting me go to Mexico. I don't even tell me I'm going to Mexico anymore bc they all have the same reaction...WHAT??! YOUR GOING TO DIE IN MEXICO. LOL

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@@SHANA55 sorry I accidentally hit Mrs O instead of you on my previous post... oops!

I assumed you were speaking to me. I definitely am going to Mexico and I am thinking I will go to Dr. CARLOS Altamirano. He is very active online and on social media. I have also watched him do a couple sleeves on youtube and his Facebook. Or I've also heard great things about Dr. Ramos Kelly. But u can not beat $4500 all inclusive.

Shana55 - of course go with whoever you feel best about. I'm paying $4600 for everything but airfare for Dr. Ramos Kelly. You'll find cheaper and you'll find more expensive, but finding who is right for YOU is what matters.

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Why did you need your gallbladder removed?

Morbid obesity increases the likelihood of gallstones/gallbladder problems. Extreme weight loss increases the likelihood of gallstones/gallbladder problems. Combine the two, and you have a high rate of gallbladder failure or complications within the first year of surgery. Removing the gallbladder pre-emptively is common practice, and can reduce the risk of additional surgeries and other problems.

OK yes, I've heard a little something about this. Thank you

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Shana55 I honestly feel amazing and look it too. It has been the best decision of my entire life. Let me know if you ever want to chat.

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Hi! i am also starting this process and am self pay. I am in Alabama and mine will cost me apron $12,000 out of pocket but that covers everything and includes complication insurance. My surgeon will be Dr Lee Schmitt at Alabama Weight Loss Surgery in Birmingham AL. I am financing my cost. upon looking into the process there was a link given to me by the doc for Prosper Healthcare Lending and it looks like it will cost me somewhere around $250 a month in payments. small price to pay to get my life back!!!

I did not personally consider Mexico because while my husband is supportive, i am very close with my mother and she is already having a hard time with this idea and i think the idea of Mexico, while safe, would push her over the edge! ;) check out LaurasVSGtube on youtube. i love her videos and she gives the info of her doc in TJ Mexico!

12,000 is a really good price. I am having mine in New Orleans Dec 29th for 13,700. I love LaurasVSGtube also and am constantly looking for her updates.

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Hey you guys. I am trying to find what all is included in dr Kelly's sleeve surgery. Would anyone be willing to send me a link that shows what all is included? Or be willing to fill me in?!

His surgery costs include pre op testing, all of the surgery and clinic associated fees, post op tests and two nights in the hospital. You do pay $109x2 for a night before in a hotel and a second night after your two hospital nights. They also pick you up from the airport and take you back and provide transportation for everything during your time there. You just have to pay your airfare and those two nights in the hotel. Every other thing is covered in the $4600.

Edited by kris10or

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What airport is it kris?

Every surgeon in Tijuana has patients fly into San Diego and provides a shuttle across the border. It's a very standard practice.

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What airport is it kris?

Every surgeon in Tijuana has patients fly into San Diego and provides a shuttle across the border. It's a very standard practice.

Correct - this is how they do it for anyone in that general area.

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Shana55 I honestly feel amazing and look it too. It has been the best decision of my entire life. Let me know if you ever want to chat.

I don't know you but I'm so happy and proud of you. I KNOW it took alot of guts and now you have took control of your life. I can't wait, a couple I'll be sleeved and doing the same! I'd love to chat, I'm LaShana

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    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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!
      · 2 replies
      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. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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.

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