I was wondering if anyone has just gone and paid for their surgery then talk to their home GP after?

YUP. And he couldn't have been more thrilled. The stats he goes by say that once a person has a BMI of over 40, they are unlikely to lose and keep the weight off permanently without surgical intervention. He is keeping close tabs on me, because he has also seen many WLS failures. Lord Help Me!!

I am not sure he will be thrilled but supportive. I did not want to face scrutiny or try another conventional "diet" or read another Feel good book. So I made the decision after much research and soul searching. I have not been so sure of a decision in a long time! Taking control is what I am focusing on!!

And that's the thing, is that you need to be the biggest advocate for you. YOU are the one who knows what's right for you, and that's the important thing.

My GP has never had any patients with a sleeve so he's very interested in the whole thing. Wants to know all about it and how i'm doing. He barely remembers me from one time to the next, but it's a change of pace for him from "my knee hurts, I need antibiotics, I've got a rash.." and whatever else he deals with every day. Every time I come in, I weigh less, and he's just tickled! It's pretty cool.

That's what I am doing right now! I am in the airport on the way to San Diego. I'll tell him at some point when I return.

I was a cash pay and did not tell my Dr until after. He seems happy for me. I could care less what he thinks though.

I was self-pay, but since I did it locally my surgeon wanted my PCP's clearance. She wasn't too happy with my choice since the sleeve isn't reversible, but she knows I've struggled with my weight loss for the last 2 years I've been seeing her. She did an EKG in the office that was abnormal, so she wouldn't clear me right away, but as soon as the cardiologist did a stress test & said I was okay for surgery, she gave her clearance too. I was kinda upset after the EKG especially since I was self-pay & didn't really need her approval as far as insurance, but I'm glad it all worked out in the end. I'm not sure if my surgeon would've done it otherwise.

I did exactly that, once I made the decision and determined I did NOT want to wait for insurance I pursued it on my own and got surgery in Mexico.

I waited a few months post-op and went in to the doctor and explained I did something without his knowing it, he was very understanding and supportive and said he would have recommend WLS to me had I asked - but like many fat people I was sensitive about my weight and would not address it. He did a thorough lab workup and adjusted my Vitamin intake as needed. He understood about not wanting to wait on insurance and even took the information down to tell other people who may want WLS but either didn't have insurance or like me, didn't want to wait and jump through all the hoops insurance would make me jump through.

He's been very supportive and proud of my accomplishment. He even suggested I go back for a tummy tuck after seeing what little sag I have. He even suggested I go back to the same place in Mex. for it! I will probably NOT do it but it's nice to see him supportive of me and how I look. He is consistently amazed at my outcome and my nearly PERFECT labs, he is even jealous of my cholesterol - it's lower than his!

I will be doing the same thing. Then he can either be supportive and provide me with the basic bloodwork and general care that I need or I will find another doctor. I will certainly miss having him as a dr since I really like him and have gone to him for many many years, but you're either with me or against me so I'll do what I need to do!

I made the mistake of letting my gp know and he was upset about the Mexico route. Same old stuff about a stateside doctor not being willing to help you out if there are complications. From what I have read on here most with complications had it done stateside. I still have not actually heard from someone that was refused care or that insurance abandoned since they went to Mexico. I am wondering if it is just an urban legend.

Thanks to you all, I am on day 3 of the liquid pre-op and I let a lack of confidence moment take hold. I agree if my MD won't support me then it is time for a new MD. I was looking for reassurance and you gave it to me. June 18th is the day!

I was self-pay. Once I had decided to go through with the sleeve, the thought of having to wait 6 months and jump through all the insurance hoops made me ill. I wanted to be losing weight those 6 months. I have never regretted it. I have seen my PCP once afterwards for a different reason, and had absolutely every interntion of telling him I did it, because I know he will be supportive, but I forgot! I will tell him next time.