Malin

I am a self-pay too. I'm not waiting another two years at this weight for insurance! I'm in Alabama. One surgeon in town was 14500. I did a little more digging and found another surgeon across town for 9800--that covers gastric sleeve surgery, anesthesia, and 1.5 days in hospital. Not bad!

Good luck!!!!

welcome!! I'm relatively new too. I'm nervous myself--my dad died in 1982 after having a gastric bypass. LONG story there. But my mom had sleeve a few years ago and looks and feels so much better. I'm sick and tired of the up and downs. I'm doing this now as an investment in myself. I haven't got a surgery date yet, but I've already been to my initial consult with surgeon and I'm meeting nutritionist on Thursday. Good luck to you!

I'm looking at self-pay...for many reasons, one of them is the scenario you described. I'm at a 36 BMI, also sleep apnea BUT it's not a high-enough score on sleep test for insurance to pay. My cholesterol is HIGH but that's not a factor my insurance considers. Arthritis too, again insurance doesn't consider it. My BMI was 32 for the past 3 years, so I can't prove 35 BMI for the past 3 years to get my insurance to pay for it. I found a very affordable surgeon here in the States (right here in Alabama) so I'm going for it. I think the 6 mths of 'playing diet' is ridiculous. I know people have to do it. I guess I'm just impatient and want it NOW. My luck I WOULD lose weight during those 6 months (because my body loves messing me!) and I'd be S.O.L. Good luck with your journey!

Hi! I somehow found this post through a google search...are you all still around? Was your experience with Dr. Suggs good? I am self paying, and he is MUCH cheaper than the doctor here in Huntsville. I am meeting with nutritionist next week. Hope all is going well for you all!

Too funny! I was thinking the same thing about WLS survivors! Makes foraging for food easier! But, ALL THE FEELS! I knew both characters die in the graphic novels/comic books...and Stephen Yeun is a voice actor in the new Voltron series (yeah, I watch cartoons! Norman Reedus did a voice for the new Voltron series too!) so I had a feeling Glen was going to go. I keep saying "I can't take anymore of this!" in terms of the emotional rollercoaster TWD deals out each season, but I keep coming back. If Darryl dies, we riot.

BAHAHAHA! Right? Fried okra...waffle fries....or one trip to New Orleans would probably do the trick! I can eat my way around that city. I swear I gained 7 pounds over one weekend there this summer. Beignets, fried gator tail...

QUICK! Somebody get me a marie calendar's coconut cream pie and a fork!

You're a dear, Kathy. And I think "gaining to lose" might be a good strategy @@bayougirlmrsc

I can COMPLETELY relate @TJ1257 This has been consuming my thoughts the past two weeks. I am like you, my BMI is 38. I do have diagnosed sleep apnea but it's not bad enough for my insurance AL BC/BS to cover it. I also have horrible cholesterol levels (I'm on meds for that) and osteoarthritis (under the care of a rheumatologist). My insurance will STILL not cover it. I guess I gotta gain weight to get this surgery covered. I am seriously considering self-pay...but wow it would be so much better if insurance would cover it.

Alabama BCBS isn't going to pay for mine, at the moment. My sleep apnea is not BAD ENOUGH...they don't care about high cholesterol and osteoarthritis. pfffffttt.

thanks Kathy! actually I'm 43 married and with kids of my own. I'm a big kid at heart. Her results were so amazing that my boys did not recognize her when they saw her 6mths after her procedure. Her snoring is practically gone (our family superpower is ripping the roof off with our snoring!) and she's had so many other benefits too. Thanks for your advice.

@@recreatingcate I can relate. but you have your own insurance and your own life. Like Fredbear said, you don't your family an explanation now. Not judging your dad, but he sounds like a type A-control freak who needs to realize you're an adult. Do whatchagottado. Thanks @@xoxococojay for starting this topic. I NEEDED to see these stories. My mom isn't supporting me on getting a gastric sleeve...and she's HAD a gastric sleeve. My general practitioner has suggested I go to local weight loss clinic instead...but what happens when I'm not taking their expensive Vitamins and shakes? When your body is VERY happy at being 210 and you're only 5'3.....ugh, this sucks.

Thanks for replying! Ya know, she really should. I think she wants to blame all that on the sleeve. And I know her, she likely pushes the proper eating limits. I'd hate to think she's talking me out of it b/c she likes being smaller than me. I suspect that--again I know how she is. I know this is something that is an investment in ME and my family, and I'm looking forward to it.

Hello all! A few years ago my mother had a gastric sleeve procedure and had amazing results. Now that I am seriously considering one, she's trying to talk me out of it. She cites she still has a lot of nausea, dizziness, etc. Perhaps she's that way since she was not in very good health before the surgery. My BMI is 38, very high cholesterol, BP lately is terrible and my sleep apnea is getting worse (but not enough for insurance to cover surgery, grrrr.) I don't want to be ANY bigger and have my health get worse. So I am scratching my head on why she is trying to talk me out of this. I am a grown woman (well, mostly.. ) but I take her opinion seriously seeing as she has gone through it. Has anyone else had nausea/dizziness linger years after the procedure?