Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

To sleeve or not to sleeve



Recommended Posts

Hi guys, newbie here so I apologize in advance if I didn’t post in the right place. I have been thinking about getting VSG for years now. My mom fear-talked me out of it in 2017 but after a 40 lb gain since then, I’m really in need of something. I was very active before running 5 days a week, ran a half marathon, but even with all that only ever got down to 185. I developed a chronic injury from running that has preventing me from being regularly mobile since then, and I’ve gone from 185 to 240. I’m hoping the surgery would take some weight off and some pressure off my joints so they can properly heal and I can get back to an active lifestyle. I’m a very disciplined eater, but the injuries have made me a bit depressed and I’ve been eating for comfort. Surprise surprise.

I’m considering Dr. Alvarez with Endobariatric in Piedras Negras, so I welcome any of his patients to chime in. I have the cash and don’t want to spend the time and effort getting insurance approval when I am in a high deductible plan and would likely pay 8K out of pocket anyway for surgery in the US. Might as well go to Mexico and get it sooner without all the hassle.

Why am I so hesitant to pull the trigger and book the surgery? I guess I’m nervous about complications, nervous about surgery in general, nervous it won’t work. Nervous I will do permanent damage to my body. Someone help give me the boost I need to make this appointment and pay the deposit!

Has anyone done this alone? Given my mom’s pessimism I don’t want to ask her to come with me. I think she would just have bad vibes the entire time and probably freak me out.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'll advise get it with your height and weight your at risk for so many health problems comorbidities heart disease if you don't already have it's your health that's important this is a life change so if you stick to it your bettering your health for a life time do it with no regrets but be committed

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Getting the sleeve was the best decision I've made in my life. And I'm only 6 weeks out from surgery. Down 26lbs. It was the easiest recovery I have ever had from a surgery. But I followed all the directions to a T that I received from my surgeon.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You might consider going cash pay to blossom bariatric in Las Vegas. I also had a high deductible plan. My out of pocket was 9999 and they billed my insurance for out of network coverage and my insurance still paid $5k out of pocket. That 10k covered literally everything including 5 nights of hotel and daily transportation. Blossom is amazing! And so worth it to stay in the US. They do require you have someone stay with you but you can actually pay $350 and they’ll have someone stay the week with you.

The surgery is worth it. Do it! I’ve not read of one person regretting it. The only regret I’ve heard people have is that they didn’t do it ten years earlier. I feel the same way.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You have two choices!

1. Live the way you are and you most likely will develope obsese related diseases, be unhappy and you may as well go on Amazon and order a Urn because you addiction to food will most likely kill you quicker! FYI you will miss out on a ton of life and will be unable to be happy!

2. Or you can buy the tool that will unable you to become healthy and Happy and offset Number 1

As for doing it alone i did alone. I met with my doctor Bass paid the 12k and 8 days later drove myself to the hospital and Get Er Done! Need i say it was the best decision i ever made!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, Katheryn0303 said:

Getting the sleeve was the best decision I've made in my life. And I'm only 6 weeks out from surgery. Down 26lbs. It was the easiest recovery I have ever had from a surgery. But I followed all the directions to a T that I received from my surgeon.

We are Sleeve buddies lol mine was also on 3/3/20 and I too are down 25 lbs lol

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ron - I read many bad reviews about Blossom billing people a ton of money when they got home. So that really scared me. I don’t want to pay 10K and think everything is fine and then get another huge bill in the mail. I also read about them quoting people certain amounts and then after they go through all the tests/scans/ekg they quote them a new, much higher price and if they don’t go through with the surgery, they send a huge bill for the tests. They just seem a little shady :/

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

During coronavirus pandemic, I would be cautious about going to Mexico. Very little data is available on how widespread it is down there. And no testing being done.

Another thing to consider is any complications you may have as a cash pay patient will not be covered by insurance, Some complications can require long hospital stay and cost 5 times the price of surgery.

Also, patients need lifetime care with bariatric team to watch for Vitamin and other deficiencies. Do you have a local bariatric center that will monitor you for years to come?

Sent from my SM-T580 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • 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
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×