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  1. #1
    Gastric Sleeve Member LisaW's Avatar
    Surgeon
    Schram
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    Oct 2018
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    02-03-2019 11:18 PM
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    Default Hello all, frustrating journey so far

    After years of battling the weight, trying many programs and medications I am wanting to get the sleeve . I am having significant issues with knees and hip and was diagnosed recently with apnea. I am pre-diabetic and have high blood pressure. I finally decided to go this route and my insurance company is making it difficult. I had been seeing an obesity specialist since May and tried three different meds but it doesn’t count toward their 6 months of supervised weight loss. So the soonest I could have the surgery and have insurance cover 50% is March or April. Today I find out I need hip replacement which they want to do after the sleeve surgery. I am in a lot of pain and I can’t imagine waiting that long for relief. I am considering self pay. It would put a huge strain on us though. Anyone else faced this and what did you do?



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  3. #2
    Gastric Sleeve Member Rexcom's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Rex
    Surgery date
    11/13/2018
    Surgeon
    Christopher D. Joyce
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Last Activity
    01-31-2019 09:39 PM
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    IL
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    Default Re: Hello all, frustrating journey so far

    Don't give up Lisa....you will get there! Self-pay in Mexico is definitely less expensive the 50% in the US.


  4. #3
    Gastric Sleeve Member The North Sleeve's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Mike
    Surgery date
    04/20/2018
    Surgeon
    Dr. Luthra
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Last Activity
    01-23-2019 05:22 PM
    Location
    Minneapolis, MN
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    Blog Entries
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    Default Re: Hello all, frustrating journey so far

    Keep your chin up Lisa. I know exactly what you are going through. I just had my right hip replaced in July 2018, my left one was done in January 2015. I had my sleeve surgery in April of 2018 (took me nine months prior to that to go through the process, but I stuck with it and it has paid off)

    I lived with hip pain for almost 10 years and it made life horrible at times. I had to stop many things that I enjoy, snowmobiling, 4 wheeling, ice fishing, my career of 24 years because I couldn't do the job and all that went with it anymore and because I could not tolerate all the pain. I had my sleeve surgery basically because my Dr. wouldn't do the hip surgery unless I lost 40 lbs because I was such a risk. I was very lucky or am lucky because my current health insurance through my employer covered both my surgeries 100% (which still blows my mind) I had high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and was borderline diabetic.

    What i'm trying to say is hang in there, keep a positive attitude and good things can happen. Today I am a new man, I have lost almost 115 lbs, my hip is healed and I can move about like I haven't in ten years. Don't give up, keep working at it and in time good things can happen.
    The North Sleeve (youtube channel) Come view my journey

    Click Here >>>>>> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA9...J4yMqFXxkl6WzA

    VSG Surgery April 20, 2018
    Height 6'2
    High Weight 354 lbs
    Surgery Weight 333 lbs


  5. #4
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    Surgeon
    dr. felix
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    12-28-2018 06:07 PM
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    Default Re: Hello all, frustrating journey so far

    I'm worried I may be denied as well. Not sure if we are allowed to mention said insurance company but I fear they will deny me due to proof of professional exercise program even though I check into my local gym electronically 3-4 days/week. I think I need to hire a trainer? I was planning for Jan 2019 but may be delayed.


  6. #5
    sraebaer
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    Default Re: Hello all, frustrating journey so far

    I was self pay in the states and it was about half the price of a new car. I am worth more than a new car. You could take out a loan. Or you could go to Mexico where it is about a third to a quarter of the price. (That option scared me to death, but people here have had nothing but great experiences in Mexico). Personal preference.

    Or March isn't too far away. Research your options and best of luck to you.

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  8. #6
    Gastric Sleeve Member Gigi1210's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    09/17/2018
    Surgeon
    Dr. Galileo Villarreal
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Last Activity
    04-01-2020 06:14 AM
    Location
    near Waco, TX
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    Default Re: Hello all, frustrating journey so far

    I highly recommend Dr. Galileo Villarreal (Drgalileo.com) in Nuevo Laredo. My cost was under $4900 with hiatal hernia repair add on. My insurance was jerking Me around, too.



  9. #7
    Gastric Sleeve Member ThatGirlKat's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Kat
    Surgery date
    09/28/2017
    Surgeon
    Dr. Marvin
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Last Activity
    04-10-2019 03:20 PM
    Location
    Houston, TX
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    Default Re: Hello all, frustrating journey so far

    I'm sorry you're struggling, but you can get through this!

    My insurance does not cover any sort of bariatric surgery, so I was self-pay. My operation cost $15,000. Luckily I was able to ask family for help and will pay them back. And because I was self-pay, I didn't have to jump through any of the insurance hurdles.

    Good luck!



  10. #8
    Gastric Sleeve Member LisaW's Avatar
    Surgeon
    Schram
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    Oct 2018
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    02-03-2019 11:18 PM
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    Default Re: Hello all, frustrating journey so far

    Thanks for all the kind words. I see all the notes about going to Mexico and have read a number of messages. I am concerned about insurance coverage of complications and support afterwards. Can anyone speak to that?


  11. #9
    Gastric Sleeve Member Christie13's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Christie
    Surgery date
    11/03/2016
    Surgeon
    Dr. Wright
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Last Activity
    09-12-2019 04:13 PM
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    Default Re: Hello all, frustrating journey so far

    I went through insurance. I still paid more than I would have if I had gone to Mexico. My insurance also paid only 50% and I had to go through 6 months of supervised weight loss. I am glad I had my sleeve and I absolutely love my surgeon and his office but I could have done it faster and sooner had I gone to Mexico.



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