I am debating if it is worth having the surgery since I will have to be self pay? I hate the idea of putting my family in so much debt, but I haven't been able to lose the weight on my own. I am a BMI of 37, so on the smaller side but still very much overweight. For anyone w/ a smaller BMI and has had surgery, was it worth putting thousands of dollars out? I can't handle going to Mexico so it would be 12-15K in the states.

Hi Linkin, I'm just 3 days out but we are similar with our Bmi. I couldn't get it covered through insurance and I also couldn't go the Mexico route. My surgery is costing $20k. I justified in my mind by thinking that I've worked hard all my life. I want to at some point retire and travel. However, with the weight and bad family medical history, I was concerned that I wouldn't be around to do the things that I want. Good Luck with your decision!

I started with a BMI of 37. I would do it again.

Got my bill last week from the hospital and it was over 37,000! But I am lucky that my insurance should pay for most. I think life's just too short to not be happy with yourself. That's why I did it for myself. I'm still only 2 1/2 weeks out and yes the first couple days I wanted to just curl up and die. But you get stronger everyday. I could lose weight on my own but keeping it off was almost impossible I would always go back to old habits.

I say if you can make it work for you then go for it! Good luck

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I'm to be sleeved in May (yay!) I'm slightly over 40 bmi, so now my insurance will cover, but when I started researching, I was slightly under 40 BMI, with no comorbidities..... YET. So I was asking myself a similar question.

I would consider your personal history with weight loss -- for me, I had gone up and down with an upward trend since high school-- that's over 22 years. I knew I could lose the weight but I couldn't keep it off, and my pattern is to gain even more back with each loss. I was tired of that, and tired of being overweight, and mostly just really TIRED!

I also considered that going forward with it now instead of waiting until I weighed even more meant probably 1) an easier surgery/ recovery 2) being able to get on with life in a healthier body sooner 3) avoiding any further damage to my joints and the rest of my body

I agree with Carrie-- if you can make it work, go for it. In the long run you will most likely be better off.

I am 3 1/2 months out. My BMI was 39 and I was self-pay. I have lost 44 lbs so far, and I am generally happy with my decision.

My BMI was 38 and I did go to Mexico $4500.00 plus airfare and hotel. When attending WL seminars here in the US while still considering surgery, they talked about self pay which is also around $13K where I live and described it as you would easily pay that for a car that you might keep 5-7 years. The surgery is a life altering surgery that will last forever and you can't put a price on your health and happiness. Believe me, I've never spent even $4,500.00 on myself but it does feel good to have treated myself to this surgery. Never in a million years would I have ever thought people would be telling me I need to gain some weight LOL or I wouldn't have to feel ashamed eating a candy bar in public. Feels GREAT! I'm still not used to it all but so happy

Either way, good luck with your decision. I have no regrets.

I was self pay and had my surgery done in Las Vegas . I used Dr Thomas Umbach. He is awsome!!!! My surgery was outpatient, which I liked and I had no problems at all. If you pay cash it is 10,400, 11,000 credit card and they also have financing available.

I would do this all over again!

I WAS a BMI of 40 and self pay. I live in the Dallas area and paid $12,200. Lots of excellent surgeons to choose from in my area. My surgeon was not the highest by far and not the lowest. My experience was wonderful and no stress or hoops to jump through with insurance.

I am 5 1/2 weeks out and now a BMI on just under 35. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Good luck to you!

My Bmi is 37 and I'm going to be self pay. I really, really don't want to go to Mexico. I'm in NC and I'm afraid my cost may be 20,000 or more! My seminar is tomorrow and I'm afraid of all the hoops I may be forced to jump through/pay for before the actual surgery. I know my husband will be dead set against mexico but Mexico seems so much easier!

I am BMI of 38 and will have my surgery 4/17 in California. I will cash pay. Got tired of jumping through hoops with insurance. With diabetes and losing my brother at age 46 it was not a hard decision. I want to be around for my family and grandchildren and PARTICIPATE in their lives. I also work for a bariatric surgeon and it is awesome to see how people's lives improve. I wish you the best in your decision making.

I have debated going to Mexico but I am a little afraid of that. I have has multiple surgeries here in the states and would be bothered by any shortcomings of a Mexico hospital. I am looking ay surgery here in Kansas. It is 12k including all preop testing and 1yr follow ups.

My Bmi is 37 and I'm going to be self pay. I really, really don't want to go to Mexico. I'm in NC and I'm afraid my cost may be 20,000 or more! My seminar is tomorrow and I'm afraid of all the hoops I may be forced to jump through/pay for before the actual surgery. I know my husband will be dead set against mexico but Mexico seems so much easier!

Come to Dallas to have it. Huge selection of top bariatric surgeons. You can have it done quite reasonably compared to other parts of the county. Range is anywhere from 10k to 14k. As I stated in an earlier post, mine was $12,000 out the door including everything. Not the least expensive and not the most.

I guess it's true, everything must be bigger in Texas!

Mine was 20K with a BMI at 35 done in the states. The complications added half a million or so to the bill...this is typically not covered by insurance for an elective procedure.

I wouldn't do it again. But if I was nuts enough to do so I'd be danged sure to have a coinsurance policy to cover any possible complications.

I have a bmi of 38.9 and I'm a self-pay. I'm paying $4650 in Mexico with Dr. Lopez.

I was 32 bmi self pay mexico. March 8th I was sleeved lost 25 pounds in 6 weeks and 30 pounds total pre and post op. Its worth it!! Do it