I am seriously considering VSG. Already consulted with one Dr. and checking out another next week. My question is, I am self-pay. Insurance will not cover any WLS. I'm scared to death of complications and medical debt that could ruin my family financially. The first Dr. has an insurance plan (Blis) that they make you take out that covers complications for 90 days after the surgery. In talking with the second Dr's office, they claim complications should be paid by insurance as they would have a different medical diagnosis. Can anyone out there who has had the unfortunately experience of complications and been self-pay tell me how that went for you? Your experiences are much appreciated!

Call you insurance company. I was self pay and I called my insurance company and they told me that as long as I am discharged from the Surgery Center, and have to go to the ER I was covered.

Thank God I didn't have to go. I had surgery 10/14/2013. And today 63 pounds down.

McButterpants, what did your follow up visits consist of? My Mexico surgeon has a nutritionist I can consult with via email or phone, but wonder if I'm missing out on something by not going to see a physician. I have detailed instructions for diet and exercise and I'm not scheduled for routine bloodwork till 3 months out.

McButterpants, what did your follow up visits consist of? My Mexico surgeon has a nutritionist I can consult with via email or phone, but wonder if I'm missing out on something by not going to see a physician. I have detailed instructions for diet and exercise and I'm not scheduled for routine bloodwork till 3 months out.

I followed up at week 2 - she checked my incisions and we talked about what I needed to do be between weeks 2 and 6. (Along w/ the standard, blood pressure, heart rate, listened to my heart and belly). Consulted w/ dietitian about moving to puree, then soft.

Week 6 follow up - they tested my lean muscle mass and body fat and the standard stuff mentioned above. Meeting w/ NUT basically she approved all foods. Labs ordered.

If your surgeon allows access to the NUT, you're probably good. My doc had a NUT, but she was impossible to get a hold of. My local doc is a bariatric NUT, so I can discuss that with her as well as their clinic NUT. I like the security of seeing the local doc - that's just me, I'm a nervous Nellie and wanted that aftercare.

I've been in contact with people who were self-pay that got no guidance whatsoever - that would bother me.

Thanks for the info. I've actually had good follow up from OCC. I emailed the nut once and received response the next day. I also called to ask some questions about my recovery and adding certain meds and Dr. So, the followup doc returned my call the next day (I told the receptionist it wasn't an emergency). They also send out weekly and eventually monthly surveys to keep track of patient's progress. But I'm a bit of a nervous Nellie myself, so it does make me a little uneasy not to have "hands on" followup with my surgeon.