Hi all, will a US doctor perform a sleeve on me if I self pay, but am under 40 BMI and have no comorbidites? I'm healthy, but 90-100 lbs overweight. Just wondering if the FDA regulates doctors as to whom they can perform the surgery on. Thanks for any thoughts. Lisa

My BMI was just over 33 but I have diabetes and osteoarthritis so that might have influenced my doctor's decision to accept me as a patient. Ask around and I am sure you will find someone to do the surgery. I was self-pay too as my insurance wouldn't pay unless I had a BMI over 40.

My BMI is 36 and will be about 35 by the time I go in for surgery next week. I am self pay and also bought the Bliscare because my insurance company will not back me up if there is a complication. I have a Dr who will do the surgery for $10k plus some incidentals. He has done over 300 and the plus is a single incision! We just have to remember it's an investment into ourselves.

Hi Lisa! My BMI was just over 36, I'm 51 yrs old, and lost 93 lbs in just under five months. YES, you can find US doctors to do sleeve surgery. My surgeon and many in the Dallas area are "Center Of Excellence" doctors, that IS important, at least that is what my family doctor recommended I look for, many insurance companies require it, so it must be important. I currently live in Wisconsin, self pay up here is out of the world expensive....I am from Texas and have friends who have had surgery in Dallas, Tyler and Houston. It is much less expensive in the south for some reason. My doctor, (named below) was $12,000 and that is about right for numerous surgeons in that area. His self pay patients are at Forest Park Medical Center, a private hospital, kind of like a medical Hilton. Top notch. So, to answer your question, yes! We had a vehicle that was paid off, we refinanced it for three years, 4.5% interest....and that's how I paid for my surgery. What a deal!!! Good luck, if you are at all interested in going to Dallas, I know the name of three other doctors that have been used by people I know that are all Center of Excellence physicians.

Hi all, will a US doctor perform a sleeve on me if I self pay, but am under 40 BMI and have no comorbidites? I'm healthy, but 90-100 lbs overweight. Just wondering if the FDA regulates doctors as to whom they can perform the surgery on. Thanks for any thoughts. Lisa

Lisa, BTW, Just like you - I had absolutely no health issues. I did want to buy cute clothes (mission accomplished) and consider this 'preventive maintenence'.

Lisa, I was self paid my BMI was between 36-38. I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol but my insurance would not cover it anyway I had no problem getting my done.