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.

How tall are you

5’4”

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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 :/

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?