I attended the WLS seminar yesterday. I think I may be the only one that was there that was self pay. The seminar was very informative but was geared more for those with insurance.

As a self payor, I am hoping to go to my first consultation (on 6/11/12) and get the ball rolling and have surgery by mid July. Is this realistic? I do have some comorbid issues like sleep apnea and reflux. Also joint pain due to my weight. What has been Your experience as a self pay? I don't have insurance to cover WLS but am sort of glad so I don't have to jump through all of the hoops.

Ultimately yes, you will end up getting back across the border into the US even without a passport. The problem is how long it will take. I regularly cross the border in TJ, Juarez, & Nuevo Laredo & & have seen people detained, searched, & scrutinized for hours, one for 2days (he had a bad attitude) all because they didn't have the proper documents.

Think about this, you get held up at the border for 2-3hrs while they check your credentials. This causes you to miss your flight & now you have to reschedule paying a $150 rescheduling fee + the difference in ticket cost, say $200(believe me last minute tickets are more expensive). But wait, there's more!!! The next flight they can put you on isn't till tomorrow morning(Murphy's Law) so now you need to get a hotelfor the night.... Hmmmm.. San Diego, near the airport.... I'd say $150 is pretty conservative, & you'll need ground transportation $50. So, let's see. Looks like $550 & a lost day to me.....

Passport = Murphy Repelent

There is a faster lane for medical tourism.