Hi:

I am a post Hystorectomy (Total).

210 pounds, 5 ft 7 inches, BMI around 31-32

moderate activity

Insurance won't cover.

I will have to self-pay and if I do should I look at sleeves instead of the band? I'm looking for a long term permanent solution. My weight gain is related to the removal of my ovaries with a dramatic body change in 5 years from 120 pounds to now. My doctors say I would have to gain more weight to get approved for surgery. I can't imagine doing that.

So hey:

1. If you had to choose and were paying for it out of pocket anyways band or sleeve?

2. If you had it done over-seas what doctor did you use, and are you happy with the results? I can't afford in country options.

Thank you so much for any help this topic is eating me up.

Thought of another question, if you paid for it yourself and financed any or all of it, who did you use for that?

I wasn't self-pay though from reading/seeing others' experiences, I would lean towards the sleeve unless you're able to find a doctor that gives you a set price that INCLUDES yearly/life time fills. Without insurance fills can get costly and since it can take 5+ tries to get to a proper level of restriction, you may be dishing out more money than you can afford.

If I had to do self-pay, I would go for the sleeve. Not that I don't love my band or that it doesn't work, but for me, the sleeve would be the cheapest option if the money was coming out of my pocket. With the sleeve it's a one-time surgery that doesn't require continuous visits to the doctor for fills. Yes you'll need/want to have aftercare but with the sleeve it's a one and done surgery; with the band it's surgery and then follow-up visits to find your proper restriction level.

If you choose to do it out of country, please be sure you know of a local doctor that knows about the WLS you choose. While it may be cheaper, you'll want to ensure that somewhere local is a doctor that can assist you if need be.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

Thank you so much for the reply, if I sleeve I am looking at flying into san diego and driving across the border to have it done Looks like a pretty good doc and hospitol. The cost of aftercare is the number one reason I started thinking a sleeve might be a better fit for me.