Was wondering if anyone previously military whom receive monthly benefits have had surgery done in Mexico. Additionally, if so did the Va support you or no?

Don't know about that but my VA primary care told me the VA does the surgeries. Have you tried that route?

Do you have VA Champ insurance? If so, it covers weight loss surgery with no hoops to jump through! My close friend decided to get RNY and went in for her consult and two weeks later was having surgery!

Was wondering if anyone previously military whom receive monthly benefits have had surgery done in Mexico. Additionally' date=' if so did the Va support you or no?[/quote']

As with anything VA, there is a waiting list. You can check with your local VA hospital and their waiting list may not be as long as some. Weight loss surgery is still relatively new to the "system" and it is something they recently (within the las couple of years) began approving.

Good luck on your journey.

I do not have champus just the va for military related issues. I would never get approved as my BMI is barely on the edge of 30. I know to some that's low but to me it's a lot, heavier than I have ever been. Anyways thanks for all the replies.

Va told me they would do surgery at 35 bmi and co morb

Va told me they would do surgery at 35 bmi and co morb

Is that 35 BMI for lap band and no co morb? I went through VA here and for sleeve or any other WLS it was BMI of 40 or higher and no co morbs. I was told they would do the lap band at 35 BMI.

I say "told," but I was given this booklet with my denial letter. Lol.

The VA is so wishy washy. Either way I don't want to gain 80-100 pounds just for them to pay for it.

The VA is so wishy washy. Either way I don't want to gain 80-100 pounds just for them to pay for it.

Same here...I'm headed to Mexico.

My dr doesn't really want me to get it in dallas my bmi is 33

I've gained 21 lbs since my last diet. She still doesn't see a need so yes I am going to my mexico and she says that I won't be covered if I go so whatever I'm going.

There not going to turn you down because you are a veteran. Just register to get VA health care and than get the surgery. Your pcp will do the blood work which is all required really after WLS. If anything goes wrong the VA Center has a ER. I've been to it before.

There are not emergency rooms at every va. The closet one to me is about two hours away. And your PCM does not have to do anything for you in regard to your wls unless is was related to when you were a veteran or they performed the surgery. Just like now if I walk into an Er with a migraine I cannot get rid of they might pay they might not but most likely will as I have a disability rating from them for migraines. And I am talking about a non Va emergency room because the va ones are too far away for a real emergency.

There are not emergency rooms at every va. The closet one to me is about two hours away. And your PCM does not have to do anything for you in regard to your wls unless is was related to when you were a veteran or they performed the surgery. Just like now if I walk into an Er with a migraine I cannot get rid of they might pay they might not but most likely will as I have a disability rating from them for migraines. And I am talking about a non Va emergency room because the va ones are too far away for a real emergency.

Ok I didn't know there wasn't a ER at every VA center nor veterans who live far from one. I've told my pcp once about getting WLS ( In MX) and she said they could do the after care. She was my doc before I got switched to a non supporter of WLS. As for civilian hospitals, I don't know the protocol. Sorry I couldn't be of help.