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Post by bigbrittany on Jan 8, 2012 22:53:16 GMT -5
Hello. I have been planning a trip to Mexico for the gastric sleeve surgery for the last four months. This past week, the surgeon I picked has asked me to think about getting the DS instead. I am 25, no comorbidites whatsover, but weigh 450 pounds and climbing. I am a massive volume eater, and feel hungry all the time. I have 2 lil girls and am a full time student-using my loans to pay for this. I am waaay below the poverty limits here in the USA due to the fact that I am a full time student with children and all-anyway money is tight and since I can't get an approval from medicaid here I am choosing to go to Mexico. Which is great, relieved to finally get help. But now I am confused on which surgery is better. The sleeve seems less invasive, less pain involved, less time away from school. However, the DS does seem quite powerful. However, do I really need all that power? I am not exactly sure what the DS is since i havent researched it in great detail yet. I wanna hear the complications, the horror stories, and the good stories-I sought out this info for the sleeve as well and was pleased to find only about 3 bad stories. I hold all of my weight in my stomach, and have had 2 csections and a gallbladder removal-so there is probably alot of scar tissue around there-I hear this can make the DS more complicated. Please let me know what you know, what you go through, what the preop diet is like, and anything else I may need to know. Thank you for your time.
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Post by smokinstella on Jan 8, 2012 22:55:39 GMT -5
I am sure the first thing anyone on this board is going to want to know is who is your surgeon going to be in mexico?
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Post by smokinstella on Jan 8, 2012 22:57:16 GMT -5
Also why do you say you cant get approval from medicaid here in the U.S. pretty much all of the medicaids will cover weight loss surgery as long as you meet the requirements that they have set out.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2012 23:02:05 GMT -5
Hi Brittany!
I am still preop but I can share my reasons why I personally am choosing the DS over the sleeve.
There is awesome long term data on the DS
There is no long term data on the sleeve
I figured if I was going to have surgery, that in and of itself is invasive, so I decided to go for gold and get the DS. I don't want to be in the position of needing a revision and going through surgery again. I see a lot of revisions to the DS
I am also a volume eater, but I'm also a "lightweight" for surgery standards, my bmi is 38, yet I want those big guns. I never ever want to be in this position again.
It's a big decision, and I'm so grateful for having everyone's stories to reflect on, and I know in my heart that this is the right decision for me.
So you really need to decide if you think restriction only will get you and KEEP you where you want to be. ((hugs))
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Post by bigbrittany on Jan 8, 2012 23:14:29 GMT -5
thanks for the quick replies  My surgeon is Dr. Fernando Garcia, in Tijuana Mexico. I got denied a few times, and my current doctor (recently switched) keeps pushing diet and exercise and saying he doesnt think surgery should be on my mind yet since I am young. I thought I would be approved as well, I mean I am super morbidly obese. But, i have no illneses at all so I got denied. I tried when I was under my dads insurance, a good one at that, but since I was only 16 I think that is why I got denied. Even then though, I was over 350 pounds. I decided to take my life in my own hands and pay for it myself. |
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Post by sherbearmama on Jan 8, 2012 23:14:45 GMT -5
Also, another important fact when considering the DS (or any other surgery that has a malabsorptive component) is do you have the means to afford the supplements we have to take (often 4 times a day)? Prices range from around $70 to as much as $150 per month depending on your lab results after surgery. It's definitely a consideration when considering the DS.
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Post by Happy DSr on Jan 8, 2012 23:38:02 GMT -5
learn more about the DS on www.dsfacts.comThe DS is a wonderful surgery for the right patients. You need to be committed to the post surgery requirements |
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Post by bigbrittany on Jan 8, 2012 23:48:12 GMT -5
wow that is alot of money...does anyone know if medicaid covers vitamins???
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Post by sherbearmama on Jan 9, 2012 0:24:14 GMT -5
To the best of my knowledge vites are not covered. I know that things like prescription vitamin D and iron infusions are covered. The others will chime in here and let us know.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2012 1:57:44 GMT -5
thanks for the quick replies My surgeon is Dr. Fernando Garcia, in Tijuana Mexico. I got denied a few times, and my current doctor (recently switched) keeps pushing diet and exercise and saying he doesnt think surgery should be on my mind yet since I am young. I thought I would be approved as well, I mean I am super morbidly obese. But, i have no illneses at all so I got denied. I tried when I was under my dads insurance, a good one at that, but since I was only 16 I think that is why I got denied. Even then though, I was over 350 pounds. I decided to take my life in my own hands and pay for it myself.
We almost lost someone last year that went to an unvetted Mexican surgeon. She had major complications for months and lost most of her stomach.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2012 1:59:43 GMT -5
thanks for the quick replies My surgeon is Dr. Fernando Garcia, in Tijuana Mexico. I got denied a few times, and my current doctor (recently switched) keeps pushing diet and exercise and saying he doesnt think surgery should be on my mind yet since I am young. I thought I would be approved as well, I mean I am super morbidly obese. But, i have no illneses at all so I got denied. I tried when I was under my dads insurance, a good one at that, but since I was only 16 I think that is why I got denied. Even then though, I was over 350 pounds. I decided to take my life in my own hands and pay for it myself. DS + Mexico = Ungson Nobody else. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2012 2:06:20 GMT -5
You need to slow the F down. You don't know nearly enough to make a truly informed decision.
1) There is no way in hell the VSG is going to be adequate for you at 450 lbs.
2) You should not let ANYONE other than Dr. Ungson touch you in MX.
3) You are going to need to find SOME way to get covered by Medicaid. There is no way at your weight that a comorbidity is required. You need to appeal your denial.
SLOW DOWN. You are only 25, and claim no severe comorbidities - you need to be deliberate and careful about this decision, including taking TIME to learn about all of what this entails, no matter which surgery you chose. If you go for the DS in MX, you are going to need to save up a lot more money. DO NOT go to anyone other than Ungson in MX!!
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Post by smokinstella on Jan 9, 2012 2:36:22 GMT -5
Ok bigbrittney you have to have a vetted surgeon for the DS, and the only DS surgeon in mexico is Dr. Ungson. If you go to anyone else in mexico your risking your life. I know one person on the board here had Dr. Aceves do her DS but he did it under the watchful eye of Dr.Ungson.
Being that you are 450lbs your current doctor is insane if they think diet and exercise are going to fix anything. You will honestly need to shop around for a pcp that will care about what you really need and someone who will support you through your surgery process, even more so if you do go out of the country for surgery since you will need blood work every 6 months. Depending on what state you are in will depend on what medicaid will cover for vitamins and what not. I know in my state they cover otc items if they are prescribed by the doctor and on the formulary.
Also have you really applied for approval from medicaid for wls or was it just cause your pcp would not support it that you say you were denied? With how high your bmi is you should be approved no problem. You say that you dont have any co-morbiditeis but have you had a sleep study can you be 100% sure you dont have sleep apnea?
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Post by goodkel on Jan 9, 2012 2:57:49 GMT -5
At 450 pounds, you NEED the DS. While you will lose weight with the VSG, you won't lose enough and the long term statistics for maintaining that loss aren't in, yet. But, without the benefit of malabsorption, odds are you will never reach a non-life threatening weight.
Don't rush into this. As mentioned, the only DS surgeon in MX you can trust is Dr. Ungson, but you should appeal with Medicaid first. People here can help you with that.
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Post by Leonie on Jan 9, 2012 3:47:55 GMT -5
Brittany
I am also having to fight enormous obstacles to get the DS.
LISTEN TO THESE FOLKS
They are wise, skilled and really care.
Do not compromise, do not be over-hasty.
And stay here on the site. Follow the stories of these folks. Some are also fighting the insurance battle, some are preparing for surgery or just recovering, some are dealing with complications. MANY are happy, healthy, thin and paying it forward.
You can do this.
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Post by hoosiermama on Jan 9, 2012 5:07:58 GMT -5
There you are  The sleeve is only one part of the DS. That offers the restriction, at your weight, you also need the malabsorbtion for any long term satisfaction. You've already had three surgeries so you don't want to have the sleeve and have to turn around in a couple years and find insurance to finish the job with a complete DS. Diana has responded to you about appealing. Your primary doc is crazy. You don't have to go to Mexico and if you do, there are so many horror stories from there, stay with Ungson. Glad you figured out how to post  me |
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Post by happycatbert on Jan 9, 2012 5:52:42 GMT -5
You've received great advice - so I'll just say this: DITTO. Take a step back, and think and research.
Also = insurance requires coverage of dependents up to the age of 26.....
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Post by shann_ds on Jan 9, 2012 6:35:18 GMT -5
So here's what I'd do...
1) change pcps-- find one who'll support you in this decision. As for comorbidities, have a sleep study & see about sleep apnea.
2) appeal the decision. You shouldn't have trouble getting approved with a BMI as high as you have.
3) if you still can't get approved (doubtful but...) then look at self pay. If you choose Mexico, only go to Ungson.
I know it seems like this will take forever. But the good news is that your obesity isn't killing you YET, and you have the time. Tis is a huge decision that will affect everything in the rest of your life...take the time to make the right one. the people here know what they're talking about and they care. I beg you to listen.
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Post by jillybean720 on Jan 9, 2012 8:04:17 GMT -5
I was 25 when I decided to have surgery and 26 when I got knocked out and wheeled into the OR for a DS Yes, you are young, but the DS offers the BEST statistics for long-term weight loss and maintenance. Being young, that's what I wanted since I have a lot of "long term" left ahead of me (hopefully)! And just to echo yet again what others have said, I wouldn't trust ANYONE in Mexico for a DS other than Dr. Ungson. I also wouldn't bother with Mexico at all until you're 110% certain you can't get your surgery covered in the US. Don't be afraid to change to a new, more supportive PCP - they work for YOU, and if you don't like the services they are providing, fire them and move on! |
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Post by Girlrocker on Jan 9, 2012 9:44:16 GMT -5
And, I think the complete opposite - I think that BECAUSE you are young and at a weight of 450, that's absolutely the reason you should look to weight loss surgery. I too speak loud and proud for the DS. I am 50 years old, and had the RNY nine years ago, just revised to a DS. I lost sooooo many years of my life in the misery, pain of obesity, and I am also considered a 'light weight', had my DS revision at 240 with a BMI of 40. I can't begin to tell you how much I wish I'd had WLS when I was younger, and the DS in the first place (my insurance back then wouldn't cover it).
Yes, it's a more complex, invasive surgery, about 4-6 weeks of discomfort. That's a drop in the bucket for a far-reaching surgery that really beats down morbid obesity long-term. That's what you want - good health for the long term. And, you will be spared so much emotional grief and baggage, having your life in front of you. I do want to chime in though, that you must slow down, take the time to research, educate yourself. All weight loss surgeries require vitamin/supplement maintenance, but the DS does have very specific needs that must be attended to for life, with particular regard to calcium, iron, protein absorption. The positive is money you spend on vitamin supplements is money saved from the food costs you can no longer consume. At best, the amount you will be able to consume further out from surgery (year or more) is still about 60% of what you consume pre-op (according to my rockstar expert surgeon Dr. Keshishian and other DS sources)
I totally understand your reservations about invasive surgery, one that is 'elective', as you are a mom, besides a student (bravo to you on both counts) But it's not elective, it's a solution to an illness we have. I applaud you taking your life into your own hands. But hang out here, learn, read posts going all the way back. Go to DSfacts.com, be fully informed, and take to heart the wise words of people here, especially when it comes to surgeons who perform the surgery.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2012 12:51:18 GMT -5
thanks for the quick replies My surgeon is Dr. Fernando Garcia, in Tijuana Mexico. I got denied a few times, and my current doctor (recently switched) keeps pushing diet and exercise and saying he doesnt think surgery should be on my mind yet since I am young. I thought I would be approved as well, I mean I am super morbidly obese. But, i have no illneses at all so I got denied. I tried when I was under my dads insurance, a good one at that, but since I was only 16 I think that is why I got denied. Even then though, I was over 350 pounds. I decided to take my life in my own hands and pay for it myself. Well, yes, you need a DS. That being said, I've never heard of this Dr. Garcia and therefore am extremely skeptical about his ability to do a DS. There are some really awful crooks and charlatans doing business in TJ, and I wouldnt' go there for love or money. The ONLY surgeon I'd use in Mexico for the DS is Dr. Gilberto Ungson. There is another surgeon, I want to say Dr. Aceves (but could be wrong about that), who has done many sleeves and who apparently is starting to do the DS. But I would not use someone who's only done a few, either. It *does* speak well of this surgeon that he is not just slapping you with a sleeve but is taking a good honest look at the realities of your size. The restriction-only surgeries work a lot better for people with lower BMI's. Success rates plummet the higher the starting BMI gets. Sleeve surgery and DS are going to be very similar in pain, recovery time, etc. Abdominal surgery is abdominal surgery in terms of general "invasiveness." The DS is an ENORMOUS surgery, no doubt about it, similar in scope to a Whipple procedure for pancreatic cancer, which is held up as just about the toughest gut surgery there is. But that's not going to make much difference in your actual experience of surgery and recovery. Those comparisons are about technical skills required and stuff like that. I went into my DS having had two previous open abdominal surgeries and a lifetime's worth of abdominal cavity scarring and damage from monthly rupturing ovarian cysts. My surgeon had to take about twice as long as he usually took with my procedure (about three hours for me), taking down adhesions and hunting for the proper gut bits, as they had migrated to strange places. But it went great and I had a picturebook recovery. My very long open incision (nearly 50 staples' worth, about sixteen inches if I recall correctly) was closed by day ten postop and I never looked back. I did develop incisional hernias along my DS and hysterectomy incisions, which started with the recurrence of an umbilical hernia. So I wound up basically herniated from breastbone to pubic bone. This got fixed via a tummy tuck, for which I partially paid out of pocket. I'd be dead if I hadn't had the DS when I did. It's been five years and life is good . |
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Post by Dudette on Jan 9, 2012 15:38:05 GMT -5
Well, yes, you need a DS. That being said, I've never heard of this Dr. Garcia and therefore am extremely skeptical about his ability to do a DS. There are some really awful crooks and charlatans doing business in TJ, and I wouldnt' go there for love or money. The ONLY surgeon I'd use in Mexico for the DS is Dr. Gilberto Ungson. There is another surgeon, I want to say Dr. Aceves (but could be wrong about that), who has done many sleeves and who apparently is starting to do the DS. But I would not use someone who's only done a few, either. I've never heard of Garcia either, and I checked out dozens of surgeons that might have been capable of performing a DS in Mexico before I made my final decision. It got me in hot water with some of the vets on the other board, but I just wanted to explore all my options (myself) before I pulled the trigger. I guess I'm just a PITA that way. Having said that... Yeah, I'm the oddball who went with Dr. Aceves. BUT (and this is a BIG BUT!), Dr. Aceves brings in Dr. Ungson as part of his surgical team when he does a DS. I had both guys in the OR performing my surgery. So, basically I DID go with Dr. Ungson... I just negotiated the deal a little differently than most Ungson patients do. Dr. Aceves is also a well-known entity in the bariatric field in Mexico. I suspect that some day soon you will also see Aceves listed on the dsfacts.com web site. Regarding Dr. Garcia in TJ... I'm a risk-taker but even I wouldn't go there. Talk to Ungson. It's a no-brainer. He's the guy. If you get to the point where you really know your sh*t, have certain scheduling and/or logistical requirements and want to save a few grand... then maybe you could talk to Aceves. Until then, Ungson. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2012 17:29:41 GMT -5
Well, yes, you need a DS. That being said, I've never heard of this Dr. Garcia and therefore am extremely skeptical about his ability to do a DS. There are some really awful crooks and charlatans doing business in TJ, and I wouldnt' go there for love or money. The ONLY surgeon I'd use in Mexico for the DS is Dr. Gilberto Ungson. There is another surgeon, I want to say Dr. Aceves (but could be wrong about that), who has done many sleeves and who apparently is starting to do the DS. But I would not use someone who's only done a few, either. I've never heard of Garcia either, and I checked out dozens of surgeons that might have been capable of performing a DS in Mexico before I made my final decision. It got me in hot water with some of the vets on the other board, but I just wanted to explore all my options (myself) before I pulled the trigger. I guess I'm just a PITA that way. Having said that... Yeah, I'm the oddball who went with Dr. Aceves. BUT (and this is a BIG BUT!), Dr. Aceves brings in Dr. Ungson as part of his surgical team when he does a DS. I had both guys in the OR performing my surgery. So, basically I DID go with Dr. Ungson... I just negotiated the deal a little differently than most Ungson patients do. Dr. Aceves is also a well-known entity in the bariatric field in Mexico. I suspect that some day soon you will also see Aceves listed on the dsfacts.com web site. Regarding Dr. Garcia in TJ... I'm a risk-taker but even I wouldn't go there. Talk to Ungson. It's a no-brainer. He's the guy. If you get to the point where you really know your sh*t, have certain scheduling and/or logistical requirements and want to save a few grand... then maybe you could talk to Aceves. Until then, Ungson. Ah that was you. I knew that was a recent memory. It will be very nice when the time comes that Dr. Aceves can be considered a vetted DS surgeon. Lord knows we need more of them. Have you posted your story in the surgeon recommendations folder yet? I'd love to see everyone posting new threads with their surgeons' names on them. Makes for easier referencing for newbies. Now that I think of that, I should mention it to the couple folks who posted on the thread I started.... |
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Post by Dudette on Jan 9, 2012 17:52:35 GMT -5
Ah that was you. I knew that was a recent memory. It will be very nice when the time comes that Dr. Aceves can be considered a vetted DS surgeon. Lord knows we need more of them. Have you posted your story in the surgeon recommendations folder yet? I'd love to see everyone posting new threads with their surgeons' names on them. Makes for easier referencing for newbies. Now that I think of that, I should mention it to the couple folks who posted on the thread I started.... Good idea. I'll try to whip something up and post it there. |
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Post by Heather on Jan 9, 2012 18:01:56 GMT -5
Any chance you can go back on your Dad's insurance? Most now cover until 26 yrs of age and sometimes even 29.
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Post by beth28 on Jan 9, 2012 19:17:54 GMT -5
Brittany,
Please listen to Diana and the others. Believe us when we say be very, very cautious when going to Mexico. Go to DSFacts.com and read, read, read! You want to be around for those little girls, so choose your surgeon very carefully.
Check again about your Medicaid covering the DS. From everything I've heard, Medicaid does cover it. If your doctor isn't convinced about the DS, print out the studies done for him to read. That's what I did, and got him totally on board!
Regarding the pain of surgery, I honestly did not have nearly the pain I thought I would. It was very well controlled (which surprised me, as I have been a long time (legal) narcotic user due to a back injury). Once I got home, I was totally fine. If you have a good DS surgeon, he or she will keep you comfortable.
I have had a rapid, nearly flawless recovery. I am 6 weeks out, and am doing great according to my surgeon. And I was a type 2 diabetic with sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. My BP is perfect now, my diabetes is better controlled (hopefully soon to be in remission), and I'll get my first set of labs done next month....oh and I've lost about 35 pounds in those 6 weeks.
Good luck, and keep us posted. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. We are all willing to pay it forward. :-)
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Post by usandall on Jan 9, 2012 22:33:48 GMT -5
I am preop as well with a failed band and am going to Dr U in Mexico. Here is a great video someone was nice enough to share with me.............hope it helps. I am choosing the DS to avoid another failure.
vimeo.com/25570146
Thanks
Donna
PS My doc called me tonight to ask if I had any questions. He is 48 which tells me if I have problems he will be around for a while. However I plan to travel to see him for post op which will be costly and make sure you are accounting for the cost of lab work and vit as the vit are 100 per month.
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Post by bigbrittany on Jan 10, 2012 10:53:54 GMT -5
I'm really new to this board so sorry if this is ending up in the wrong place or something, I'm not sure how to reply to all the posting from my post. Anyway, I was denied by a previous doctor twice. Then I moved and I got my current doctor who is pushing diet and exercise and talk therapy. I had a sleep study done, blood work of all sorts, seen a cardiologist and they ran a bunch of tests as well-but no I don't have anything wrong with me other than the fact that I am HUGE and miserable. My age is probably my saving grace and why I am not sick-heart disease and diabetes have been in my family-namely my grandmother. She died of a heart attack at 43. I dont want that to be me. See-I have been so set on the sleeve that I already bought my 2 airplane seats (too big for just one) and paid the consultant company my $2,000 deposit. This is why I have been so panicked because, I thought I was getting the sleeve-I mean my date has been set for months now. Then, suddenly the DS came up. The doctor is willing to work with my on payments, which is helpful than paying it all at once. But, I already gave this doctor my deposit for the sleeve. I dont know what to do. I just know that I am not living. I am in a prison. I don't have a death wish, but I have this saying that really rings true to me. Expecially these last few years as I have gotten heavier-I'd rather die trying than crying. I need help. After my last denial, then moving to this doctor that makes me feel a lil ashamed that I cant lose it on my own, I think its because I am a medicaid patient too. I have been treated very poorly in the past due to my size and economic means, and this has pushed me to research affordable surgery. I dont want to be treated like I dont matter anymore....now I just have to figure out what to do since I already paid for things and all...I'm so confused.  |
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Post by Joanne on Jan 10, 2012 11:06:22 GMT -5
Brittany, Take a deep breath. I know you're upset. Here's what everyone is trying to tell you, and please trust that we are trying to help. -At your weight, the only surgery that should be considered is the DS. You will lose weight with the sleeve, but it is highly unlikely that you will lose enough, and pretty likely that you will regain. The sleeve will limit what you eat, but it will not do a thing to change your metabolism. -So, from that standpoint, we do agree with the surgeon that you should have the DS. -Here is the problem, though. The surgeon you're seeing is not experienced at the DS. He may tell you he is, the consulting company may tell you he is, but the truth is that he is not. Remember, they are both trying to sell you something, so they will tell you what you want to hear. -The DS is a very complex surgery. It is a risky surgery in the hands of someone without the experience to do it. The ONLY surgeon in Mexico with that kind of experience is Dr Ungson. -We are being so adamant about this because we have seen people butchered, lose their stomach, and some even die by going to a non-experienced DS surgeon. This happens here in the US as well as in Mexico. -I understand you shelled out some money. I understand you are desperate. I really do. But believe me when I say this could be a matter of life and death for you to have the DS with this surgeon. I'm sure your family would rather lose $2,000 than you. -Your plane ticket could probably be changed, or rebooked. You could even use it to go to Dr Ungson. -Please read this. This woman is a poster here who chose a cheaper surgery in Mexico. She almost died. And it ended up costing her a lot more. We also begged her to go to Dr Ungson. Dont let this scare you from medical tourism in general, this article is slanted against Mexico - but it is the surgeon she chose, not the fact she went out of the country that is the point consumerist.com/2010/06/do-not-choose-the-worst-doctor-in-tijuana-for-your-weight-loss-surgery.html |
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Post by smokinstella on Jan 10, 2012 11:49:50 GMT -5
I'm really new to this board so sorry if this is ending up in the wrong place or something, I'm not sure how to reply to all the posting from my post. Anyway, I was denied by a previous doctor twice. Then I moved and I got my current doctor who is pushing diet and exercise and talk therapy. I had a sleep study done, blood work of all sorts, seen a cardiologist and they ran a bunch of tests as well-but no I don't have anything wrong with me other than the fact that I am HUGE and miserable. My age is probably my saving grace and why I am not sick-heart disease and diabetes have been in my family-namely my grandmother. She died of a heart attack at 43. I dont want that to be me. See-I have been so set on the sleeve that I already bought my 2 airplane seats (too big for just one) and paid the consultant company my $2,000 deposit. This is why I have been so panicked because, I thought I was getting the sleeve-I mean my date has been set for months now. Then, suddenly the DS came up. The doctor is willing to work with my on payments, which is helpful than paying it all at once. But, I already gave this doctor my deposit for the sleeve. I dont know what to do. I just know that I am not living. I am in a prison. I don't have a death wish, but I have this saying that really rings true to me. Expecially these last few years as I have gotten heavier-I'd rather die trying than crying. I need help. After my last denial, then moving to this doctor that makes me feel a lil ashamed that I cant lose it on my own, I think its because I am a medicaid patient too. I have been treated very poorly in the past due to my size and economic means, and this has pushed me to research affordable surgery. I dont want to be treated like I dont matter anymore....now I just have to figure out what to do since I already paid for things and all...I'm so confused. Ok you said you were denied by your doctor 2 times, that is not the same as being denied by the insurance. That just means you had a doctor who was not willing to support you with finding a surgeon who takes your medicaid. Also from the looks of it ohio has an hmo like set up for their medicaid program. Where you pick a health plan and its who you go through for your medical care. That means you need to contact your insurance and ask them if they cover bariatric surgery. Since you would have these managed health plans for your medicaid coverage you should also have an open enrollment period where if you don't like who is on the provider list with the current plan you are with you can change that. Most insurance providers send out a booklet going over what they will and wont cover they usually send one out this time of year with it being a new year and all. I know your desperate to not be trapped in your body the way it is anymore I fully understand that feeling being that I am 457 lbs myself but there is no reason to risk your life when it seams like you are getting the run around from doctors who are not going to help you. You will need to be proactive in your health and that means finding a doc who will support you through this. What are you going to do if you run off to Mexico and come back with no after care. Or even worse with serious complications that no doctor here wants to even touch. Where will your little girls be then? I know you want to get health so you can be there for your girls but in order for that to happen you NEED to minimize your risk as much as possible so that you do come out of it all healthy and able to be there for them. So call your managed health plan and ask them if they cover surgery, if so find out if you need a referal to the surgeon if not then ask them what surgeons they work with. Compare the list of surgeons to ones on the DSFacts.com site. Ask them if they have their OTC formulary posted online so you can see what vitamins they will cover with a prescription. Ask them what they require you do before you submit for approval for surgery. You are going to need to be able to stand up for yourself, for the sake of your health. |
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My surgeon is Dr. Fernando Garcia, in Tijuana Mexico. I got denied a few times, and my current doctor (recently switched) keeps pushing diet and exercise and saying he doesnt think surgery should be on my mind yet since I am young. I thought I would be approved as well, I mean I am super morbidly obese. But, i have no illneses at all so I got denied. I tried when I was under my dads insurance, a good one at that, but since I was only 16 I think that is why I got denied. Even then though, I was over 350 pounds. I decided to take my life in my own hands and pay for it myself.
