OMG im reading your post and going through the same exact thing you went through.  My coordinator sent in all my paper work and they denied me requesting proof of diet and exercise.  I then went to my gym and my nutritionist for all of my notes and proof and they still denied me.  Then they recommended a Peer to Peer with my Dr and they continue to deny me.  Now I just fed ex my appeal to see what happens next.  If you dont mind me asking what did you do after the appeal was denied.  My insurance advocate got involved but she was no help because all she told me was that the notes from my nutritionist was more in depth than my PCP.  She told me they want all my notes like the nurtionist notes.  I told her no where in the policy requirement does is show what type of notes need to be taken.  Straight BS.  Now I have to wait to see the out come of the Appeal.  What did you do after you got denied with your appeal?  I see you did end up getting surgery.  How long did it take for you to get Approved?

Thanks again for taking the time to answer all of my questions. It is a blessing to have such an awesome support system!

Hi,

1.  Did you have to make a down payment to schedule surgery?
Answer:  Yes. they will ask you to send them a personal check for $500.00
 
2.  What was your pain level after the surgery?
Answer:  I had very little pain.  They do an excellent job with pain management thought medication.  If you are in ANY pain tell them, they will take care of it.  I had a small amount of pain in my chest, but that was caused from the gas that they had pumped in my stomach area to be able to work on my sleeve.  That can be taken care of by using GAS-X thin strips that melt in your mouth. YOU need to take those with you.  They do NOT have GAS-X in Mexico, so I highly recommend you buy 2 or 3 boxes and take them with you.

3.  How was your flight home: were you uncomfortable in any way (pain-wise)? 
Answer:  I had a great flight home.  NO pain at ALL.  They give you pain meds to take home and they medication just melts in your mouth.  I didn't have any problems at all. I do suggest when you are getting your boarding pass or checking in with the Airlines that you tell them that you just had surgery and are on your way home.  They will give you a boarding pass to board with the 1st group of people.  If you feel you need a wheel chair order one the night before through the airlines.  They are glad to provide that service for you.  I had NO need for one.

Hugs,
Suzanne


 

Wow, you are so very encouraging! Thank you so much for saying the words that I really needed to hear. I just emailed Dr. Aceves' office, but I still have so many questions to ask. I'm going to check our your posts right now!

Thanks,
Stephanie

Hi,

Dr. Aceves is the very best you can have--I speak from experience.  I would have picked him over ANYONE.  I had the money to pay for it in the US and after I started my research I knew without a doubt that is was going to be Dr. Aceves for me. A lot of US doctors just don't have as much experience as he does.  I wanted the best I could find.  Your PCP will do any after care that you need.  Honestly there is very little after care with the sleeve.  Maybe some blood panels now and then at the begining of your journey.  You will NOT have any leaks.  Dr. Aceves checks you 3 times before he will allow you to go home. 

STOP putting up the doors in front of your success--like the plane.  You can get a seatbelt extender.  Ask ahead of time before you get on the plane if you will fit in their seat.  It is normal to have fears--we all had them, but they didn't stop us.  But, honestly how many more days of your life do you want to give away being overweight?  It is just one more day that you can never have back.

I can tell you that last time I knew Dr. Aceves charges $8,750 for sleeve surgery.  Please feel free to ask me any question that you might have.  I have all kinds of information and some answers for you too.  Go back and read some of my previous posts that I have posted.  They might answer a lot of your questions and also address some of your fears.

You deserve to become healthy and I am proud of you for talking about weight loss surgery.  That is the very first step.  To say it out loud.

Hugs,
Suzanne