An intro into my story...

Apr 19, 2010

Found out last week that my insurance has an exclusion to any type of WLS.....which I expected.  So now I am gonna be cash-pay.....just have to pick the right doc for me and get the ball rolling. 

As of right now, I am looking at two docs.  As of right now, I am looking into going to Mexico and using Dr. Aceves who charges $8750 or Dr. Borland in New Iberia, La who charges $9800. 

If I choose to go to Mexico, I will have to have a passport and airfare.  The passport I am pretty sure will cost about $150.  I have looked at airfare from New Orleans to San Deigo, and that will probably run me $400 round trip, give or take a little bit.  (So thinking Mexico is gonna be $9300-$9400 out of pocket.)
Dr. Borland in New Iberia will require me to stay in a hotel for 2-3 days post surgery.  I havent checked the rates on hotels there, but I will do that.....Will be good to have a comparision between the two.

I have been approved by Dr. Aceves for surgery.  All I have to do is call and set the date if I choose Mexico.  I did make an appointment with Dr. Borland for a consultation for May 18, 2010.  They could have gotten me in sooner; I just couldnt go sooner than that due to my schedule for work. 

Now, the hard part....I have to talk to my husband.  I have been reading and researching anything I could find on VSG before I talked to him so I would have all the answers to any question I thought he might ask.  Or, reason why he thought I shouldnt do it....I am praying that he will be supportive in my decision.  

My dad and my sister have both had RNY.  My dad had a lot of complications immediately following surgery, but he was very high risk because of his weight, and we knew all of that going into it.  My sister was not high risk, but also had complications.  Her small intestine got a kink in it and the Dr. had to go back in and repair it.  Since then, she has recovered very well and has had great success with her weightloss.  She does experience what I have come to know as "dumping" and last time I asked her about it, she was not taking any vitamins, or protein supplements.  Therefore, her hair is thinning and I dont think she looks as good as she could.  

So, after all of the reading I have done, and the several times I have watched the procedure being done, I have decided on the VSG....wish me luck!

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