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Hi everyone! I'm brand new to everything and have lots of questions.

My PCP recommended that I get VSG but my insurance doesn't cover anything. The cost here in Montana is $20100 plus anesthesiologist fees. I'm looking into other options before committing and I'm curious about a few things.

For those who got surgery in the US - did you travel to another state for the operation? How does preop and postop work if so? Would you have rathered do it locally? Cost if you don't mind?

For those who got surgery in Mexico - how does preop and postop work?

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Your PCP can order all the labs and tests and send those results to another physician in prep for surgery. All the bloodwork, stress test, upper endoscopy, sleep study, etc.

The reason codes for insurance can be to check for sleep apnea, heart disease, GERD, general bloodwork etc - not as presurgery clearance.

Research the surgeon you pick carefully. Good luck.

Edited by Sosewsue61

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@WlsSam Please fell free to ask any questions about the surgical procedures.


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I had my surgery in Mexico... My insurance specifically doesn't cover bariatric surgery. My PCP was on board with me having the surgery and when I came home, I went to him for my follow up labs... I am happy with my results.

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I used bariatrix Florida. I paid $9000 last August. I drove down there the night before, had surgery, stayed 1 night in the hospital, 2 nights in a hotel, had a followup and drove home. Consult was done via phone. Preop education was done via fave book live. Preop testing and post op testing was done by my PCP (insurance covered it all luckily). I had to do a psych consult, but I did it online. There are numerous Dr's with good self pay packages. Check out Dr Wizman, Dr Taggar, Dr shillingford, all in FL. Dr Borland in Louisiana. Dr pleatman in MI and Dr Umbach in Vegas.

Some people also are able to go the 'hernia route'. If you have a hiatial hernia, insurance might cover that surgery, then your surgeon charges you a small fee to also do the sleeve.

Mexico is also a great option. I would have used Dr Illan or Dr Ariel Ortiz.

Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

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    • 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.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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
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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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