Hi,

I'm new to this forum and am so thankful that it's here. I am scheduled for my VSG on June 7th. I am cash pay as my insurance will not cover any sort of Bariatric surgeries. I have read many good things on here but I've read a few bad. Of course I know that each case is different but I'm afraid of what might happen if I have any complications (dehydration, leak, etc..). I've called and my insurance apparently will cover any complications from an uncovered surgery if it's a procedure that is covered. Does that make sense? If they'd cover dehydration than I guess I'd be covered, a leak however, I'm doubting since you only get those if you have this surgery. Can anyone give me some words of encouragement or even better some words from experience. Thanks to you all.

I have the same worries too. Most of us that self-pay do worry. But if they told you that your insurance covers complications of an uncovered procedure, then it sounds like you are gonna be covered. Because a leak would be considered a complication of the sleeve. You may want to confirm and even get it in writing and get the persons full name that told you this. It may even be in your insurance policy. You are lucky, a lot of self payers have no Ins. Also the possibility of a leak is low, like less than 1%. You can also check on your drs stats as well. Good luck!!

If you are unsure about coverage, get specific with your insurance company. If you have a leak, it would absolutely be an emergency - you need to check if you emergency room coverage would handle it. Also, double check with your local hospital that they have some experience with bariatric patients and emergencies. It is highly unlikely you will have a problem, but this info may put yourself at ease.

Hang in there--

Lara

That has to be one of the most scary things about being self pay. I worried about this before my surgery as well. In reality, it is a surgery and you could have a complication with even the most skilled doctor. The bright side is that the chances of complications with a VSG is relatively low compared to other surgeries, which really helped me cope with the worries. Also, if your doctor has a good amount of experience with this surgery, your risk of complications will be greatly reduced.

I also agree with the other replies when it comes to your insurance coverage. Question your carrier until you understand everything clearly.

Good luck!

Any chance you will have another procedure at the same time? I had a hiatal hernia repair done at the same time and that gave me a bit of comfort as insurance paid for that portion of the surgery. If I had to be readmitted for dehydration or infection my insurance would have paid. It would NOT pay (they said) if I developed a leak post op. It IS scary but it was a risk I was willing to take. Good luck!

I don't know how you guys do it. Its things like that that make me glad I'm a canuck.

I really appreciate all the good advice from you all. Beadingnurse that is a good question. I don't think I'll have anything done, I haven't yet had my upper GI but if they do have to do it than that is a good thing to know. I'm just going to think positive, look at the statistics and my doctor's experience and pray for the best. Then I'll sip, sip, sip like everyone says and stay hydrated. Failure is NOT an option!!!

I purchased BLIS insurance. This is insurance for WLS patients. You may want to check into this. My doctor's office offered it, but possibly it could be found online.

One of the reasons I chose my doctor is because they offer insurance for self pay patience. It is included in the price for surgery. I am covered for 6 months post surgery. Dr. Cottam in SLC, UT.

My doctor's office offered BLIS insurance. It was a little pricey, but well worth the feeling of security in case of complications.

Yes I noticed on my doctor's website that they advertise BLIS. I am going to call on Monday and inquire about it. I'm hoping they'll tell me that it's included in the cash price of the surgery but if not, I'm hoping it's not too expensive. I'm in DFW area so SLC isn't an option, darn it!

I was cash pay for my sleeve due to an exclusion of a second WLS. I was a revision from a band (it was off a little more than a year) to a Sleeve. I had a higher risk of problems due to being a revision and the fact that I have many auto-immune diseases.

I was rocking along for the first 10 days. The tenth day I did an hour of PT from a different surgery in Dec, had a hair cut and went grocery shopping. I woke up about 4 a.m. the next day in discomfort, but I was able to go back to sleep. When I woke up at 6 a.m. I was running a 101.6 temp. I called the office and was told to go to the hospital where I had surgery. I spent 6 hours in the ER before I was admitted to the hospital. I was in the hospital for 5 days on IV antibiotics for a possible leak or an infection of the staple line. I was admitted with the diagnoses of abdominal pain. The hospital is out of my insurance network, so I was dreading the bill. When I got my bill, I found that the insurance company paid for everything except for about $2000 as my copay.

I think it makes a huge difference when you check out your doctor's

statistics for complications. Dr. Aceves statistics are fabulous so I had

no qualms about self paying and had no worries about any complications.

I am a few days from being 2 years post op and my only complication

has been anemia so I started taking Iron. My insurance paid for that blood test.