Just starting out with EVERYHING. Turned 51 in June, doctor wanted me to do Colonoscopy, went in and had just broke down about my weight. Had lost twice before over 60 pounds. But after three years, NOTHING helps. And I mean NOTHING. So finally got a meeting with Gastric Doctors and they want every test in the world done that I KNEW would come up negative. Had a million tests done, blood, urine, you name it. Guess what, ALL came back negative. So now on CPAP machine because the sleep study had me at mild to moderate at waking up 15 times an hour. I hate the CPAP and ONLY on it or tolerate it for getting the surgery. Had to actually gain about 20 pounds extra onto my 5'3" frame and it's KILLING ME. Getting to the point I can't walk up my own steps and doing anything outside is painful, all just to be in that 35 BMI sweet spot with cormobidity of sleep apnea. Been on CPAP now, GAO investigation about two weeks, but can't talk to doctor till the 30th of June. Ugh. Any good ideas of how to get through this till I talk to him. I feel miserable and the fact I HAD to go from 170lbs to 200lbs is just stupid. I just feel lost.

I know how you feel! I'm 5'2" and had to gain about 10 to hit 35 Bmi, and I felt awful at my first visit. Plus I had 4lbs in my pockets as insurance, . Turns out it was all a waste because my insurance requires 2 years of above 35 Bmi and I couldn't drop below 35 before surgery (that's like 2lbs!). It doesn't matter that I hit 195lbs in 2014, 2015 and 2017 (all >35), and have suffered high BP, cholesterol, and now have an out of whack liver from packing on 10 lbs. I have never felt worse and couldn't bear the thought of eating at a level to maintain for 4 months. I Would go to bed fearing a heart attack every night. So I said screw it, canceled and am looking into Mexico. I started following their pre op diet and already lost 8 lbs. I get my liver checked this week and hope it's back to normal. Once I verify I didn't fry my liver, I'm going to make sure my Pcp supports me, and I will get serious and book mx.

So, I just wanted to sympathize and say, hang in there! It really sucks, but it will be worth it in the end.


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Why would anyone want to GAIN weight on purpose just to qualify for WLS?

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Why would anyone want to GAIN weight on purpose just to qualify for WLS?

Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Because the cash price is $18,500 . I have a history of obesity, fluctuating between 34 and 35.5 bmi for over 20 years. Insurance covers it, but only if you're above 35. the cost would be less than $1000, and I'd be staying close to home.

If you're under 35, you're SOL and they will only offer the lap band, which they don't recommend for anyone. Some might do the sleeve for the cash price. My surgeon charges $18,500.

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If it were me, I'd figure out how to self pay and get it done in Mexico. Seems like they're becoming the world's expert and is much more cost effective than in the US. Also, there are a lot of good information on here and out there about options in Mexico.

I couldn't lose weight without the surgery so I saved until I had enough to get started, which is helping me be EXTRA focused on the success as it literally costs me every month.

I wish you luck.

PS. I have severe sleep apnea and have used my cpap every night for over 3 years, can't imagine not having it but it took 6 months to get used to it and a year before I used it every night. Traveling with it sucks though.

3 hours ago, RWoodSC said:

I know how you feel! I'm 5'2" and had to gain about 10 to hit 35 Bmi, and I felt awful at my first visit. Plus I had 4lbs in my pockets as insurance, . Turns out it was all a waste because my insurance requires 2 years of above 35 Bmi and I couldn't drop below 35 before surgery (that's like 2lbs!). It doesn't matter that I hit 195lbs in 2014, 2015 and 2017 (all >35), and have suffered high BP, cholesterol, and now have an out of whack liver from packing on 10 lbs. I have never felt worse and couldn't bear the thought of eating at a level to maintain for 4 months. I Would go to bed fearing a heart attack every night. So I said screw it, canceled and am looking into Mexico. I started following their pre op diet and already lost 8 lbs. I get my liver checked this week and hope it's back to normal. Once I verify I didn't fry my liver, I'm going to make sure my Pcp supports me, and I will get serious and book mx.

So, I just wanted to sympathize and say, hang in there! It really sucks, but it will be worth it in the end.


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OMG, RIGHT??? WTF??? Did the same thing, had leggings on under heavy jeans and lots of change in my pockets. Oh, I'm so sorry about having to be that weight for TWO years, that's crazy and not fair. With Kaiser, and how our insurance is, I'll only have to pay $250.00 total, that's it, but just getting to that point and having to do ALL of these other BS test is a waste of my time. I'd love to hear from you and how everything goes. Thank you so much for understanding. I'm glad you are at that point to get it done soon

3 hours ago, losing2live4Him said:

Why would anyone want to GAIN weight on purpose just to qualify for WLS?

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Because my BMI was low, not going to spend $$$$ to go to Mexico when my insurance will do it for $250 and that's it. My family and I can pay the deductible, but not going to pay out of pocket when the insurance will do it. Having to gain the extra weight, totally sucks, but to get to 200 lbs and ONLY have to pay $250 is worth it. It's just the waiting that is making me crazy.

2 hours ago, RWoodSC said:

Because the cash price is $18,500 . I have a history of obesity, fluctuating between 34 and 35.5 bmi for over 20 years. Insurance covers it, but only if you're above 35. the cost would be less than $1000, and I'd be staying close to home.

If you're under 35, you're SOL and they will only offer the lap band, which they don't recommend for anyone. Some might do the sleeve for the cash price. My surgeon charges $18,500.

Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

THANK YOU!!! Exactly. That's why ours does, to be qualified for the Sleeve, and have one or more cormorbity, once I do get everything started it's only $250, that's it. What are you getting done, will your insurance cover you? I hope it does. This is something that I'm so sick and tired of. I don't know what happened to me for the past three years, but I hardly eat, and still gain weight. I'm so over it.

7 hours ago, tabula said:

If it were me, I'd figure out how to self pay and get it done in Mexico. Seems like they're becoming the world's expert and is much more cost effective than in the US. Also, there are a lot of good information on here and out there about options in Mexico.

I couldn't lose weight without the surgery so I saved until I had enough to get started, which is helping me be EXTRA focused on the success as it literally costs me every month.

I wish you luck.

PS. I have severe sleep apnea and have used my cpap every night for over 3 years, can't imagine not having it but it took 6 months to get used to it and a year before I used it every night. Traveling with it sucks though.

I will never go out of the country for ANY medical procedure. Just the cost of that and having to deal with taking family is more stressful than trying to save up money for it. I have really good insurance, as I had stated, once I'm approved it's only $250 out of my pocket. My sleep apnea is ONLY from being the 60-70 pounds over weight. Never had a problem with sleep when I was 130 pounds. I will not be using the machine once the weight is off and with Kaiser, I only have to rent it, once the surgery is done, they can have it back. I know I can't loose the weight without the surgery because I've been trying for three years. If I were to go out of pocket, then there are two Bariatric medical professionals here in my state, with state run expectations and rules. More power to the people who feel comfortable for going out of country, not for me though.