My WLS Journey, 2009 is my year - Page 2

Heidi dawning · 01-12-2009, 05:17 PM

Does anyone have any information or experience with Dr. Alejandro Aguirre Wallace in Ensanada Mexico, Cardiomed Hospital in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico? I know someone who went have the surgery with costs involved for only $10,000. It's a week to 10 day stay. What do yall think???

goddess819 · 01-14-2009, 10:14 PM

Hi Heidi! I'm sorry to hear that WLS has been excluded by your insurance company. I lucked out in that I had dual coverage as it was excluded by my insurance but fortunately a covered benefit (upon being deemed medically necessary) through my husband. Keep fighting. If your company does indeed change insurances to one that covers it I seriously doubt they can count your obesity as a pre-existing condition. I know of one lady in California who took a cut in hours to loose her insurance so that she could go on the state plan (here it's Medi-Cal) and was approved that way since her work's insurance had it as an exclusion as well. Would that be a posibility for you? Does LA have a state funded medical program like that for low income? As for the doc in Mexico I've not heard of him but you might be able to find stuff out about him on www.obesityhelp.com. Good luck and never give up!!

Heidi dawning · 01-15-2009, 05:26 PM

I looked into having the surgery in Mexico at $7500 and even was scheduled but I canceled. My nerves are tooo bad to handle the anxiety. So, today I spoke with a lady from the WLS clinic at the hospital and set up a consult appt. for Jan 28th & will see the nutritionist & Dr. Chu that day. I chose her because she's fresh/new but experienced as well. The consult is $285.00 out of pocket. The surgery is $19,100 (discounted for cash). They did tell me that the lab tests and sleep study will be covered by my insurance so at least they are paying for something, :-). I will finance the rest outside with a bank etc. I just wanted to get the ball rolling. I feel better knowing that the Southwest Hospital is a "Center of Excellence" and has post-op care. Al dr. visits are free for a year following the surgery. I don't know when I'll have the money together but if god-willing I'll be on my way to surgery soon. :-)

~*~TammyLynn~*~ · 01-15-2009, 05:48 PM

Where there is a will, there's a way Heidi!

goddess819 · 01-23-2009, 02:27 PM

Good luck!! My mom is also looking into self paying for sugery so you're definitely not alone in this.

Heidi dawning · 01-23-2009, 06:55 PM

Thanks goddess819. I'm excited waiting on the consult. I'm looking to sell and move where i work permanently so if everything works out, maybe I'll have some money left over for the surgery. Thats what I'm hoping. I hope your mom is successful in her finances to get the surgery also. Thanks.

goddess819 · 01-26-2009, 03:43 PM

Good luck with the sale and consult. Please keep us posted as to how it goes. Also write your questions down as you think of them to ask the surgeon so that when you get to see him you don't draw a blank and forget!

Heidi dawning · 01-29-2009, 01:23 PM

I met with the nutritionist and doctor yesterday. She thinks because of PCOS the gastric bypass RNY is the best choice for me. She doesn't think I have sleep apnea so I don't have to do the sleep study. However, she would like to do the tube down my throat to check for any problems because I have heart burn so bad with gastric reflux. I need to see they psychologist first and then schedule the procedure. I told her that April is probably the best time for the actual surgery. I like April, it's my birth month and I usally do big things that month like buy automobiles and stuff.

So I'm excited. She's a nice doctor. She's Dr. Chu at Southwest Hospital and she's very petite. She's either my height or shorter, lol. I'm 4'15, or so they said when they measured me yesterday. I thought I was 4'11 but I must of grew a little. Wow I grew a few centermeters, that makes me happy. Hey, when you're under 5 foot every bit counts, lol. Also, I gained 3 lbs since the seminar on the 1/6. My anxiety is getting the best of me. Well, I'm just going to do a lot of praying that I can sell our home so I can move here by my family and pay for the surgery. If it's gods will it will happen in his time. Thanks for sharing my story guys and gals. Heidi

Heidi dawning · 02-05-2009, 05:05 PM

Here's an update. I made an appt. with the psychologist for 2/24. Before that, I attend the support group, I'm required to attend one at least. Then she's going to schedule the endoscopy to check me for any possible problems before the surgery. I'm anxious but getting everything scheduled is calming my nerves knowing that everything is is planned out.

Heidi dawning · 02-26-2009, 04:35 PM

Ok, time for an update. Although I don't really have any news other than I cancelled my appt. with the psychologist until further notice. Selling my house is getting ridiculous. Everone likes it but no-body has any money and we need to buy a house here in Lafayette LA. Soooo, we're trying to be patient. I want the surgery and now all I can hope for is enough money to go to mexico to have it done. So, this is my update. I'm still in Limbo.

Heidi dawning · 03-10-2009, 01:13 PM

UPDATE: We're closing on the house sale the end of this week. I'll have the money by next week. So, I contact the surgery scheduler for Dr. Aguire in Ensenada Mexico today and asked for a surgery date in April. I'm excited and scared. This will give us enough time to get the home we want and move the large items in before leaving for Mexico. I'm so excited. When I get back from Mexico and recooperate, I'm getting a puppy. I want a rottweiller. I had one before and he made me feel protected and was such a loving and loyal companion. I had to put him down due to cancer, he was 7 years old. I can't wait for another companion and I will have a little time to bond with him before returning to work after recooperating. I'm soo excited!

goddess819 · 03-10-2009, 03:24 PM

That's wonderful that your house sold and you'll have the money to cash pay! Please keep us posted on how you do! Remember to take pre op pictures & measurements so that you can compare to them later.

LittleMsSunshine · 04-13-2009, 05:56 PM

Hi Heidi!!

Just wanted to introduce myself... my name is Heidi also

.... and I'm also trying to get approved for weight-loss surgery.

I've jumped through all the hoops... and am waiting to find out whether or not I've been approved. I found out I had PCOS on Friday, so I think I'll probably submit that for review as well.... hopefully it'll help my case.

Anyway... just wanted to wish you good luck. I also wanted to let you know that, here in the Phoenix area, you can have weight loss surgery done quite a bit cheaper than $19k. I shopped around for a while before I found a surgeon I was comfortable with, but there was one place that did it for around $12k (cash discount)

I can give you their website if you're interested. I ended up not going with them because they wouldn't work with my insurance.

Take care

Heidi dawning · 04-13-2009, 07:13 PM

wow, 12k! That sounds great. At this point, I'm trying to get settled in my new home and I will still have to make a loan whether in Mexico or the US. Please share the info on where it's 12k. That's a lot better than 19k! Thanks Heidi :-)

LittleMsSunshine · 04-13-2009, 10:30 PM

Oh man... I tried to PM you, but I don't have enough posts. So I tried to post the link, but it won't let me because I don't have enough posts. Haha... I can't win!

The place is called "The Weight Loss Institute of Arizona" and is located in Tempe, AZ.

Google that.... or google one of the surgeons, John DeBarros or Michael Orris.... and it should pop right up.

Both of the doctors are extremely nice and down-to-earth.