Hello all,

I have been wondering is it bad for me to have the gastric sleeve surgery without medical insurance?

Few months ago I have lost my job and I do not have any medical insurance at the moment. I do have a side business which I am living comfortably but I am really worried about the complications. I have been reading the complication section on this forum and it has made me quite scared.

Thank you.

I would not do it without insurance... If you have any complications (leak) you want the best care you can get

There are options. I was self-pay because my insurance didn't cover WLS or the costs of any complications from it.

I went to a Bariatric Center of Excellence. They offered complication insurance coverage through a group called BLIS. The surgeon agreed to waive any of his fees for any complications for a specified period (three months in my case) and BLIS covers the other costs, such as hospital, OR fees, labs and other specialists.

Complication coverage is something the surgeon has to be enrolled for as they won't insure just anyone without knowing the risks of the surgeons involved. I was happy that my surgeon participated in the program.

The cost wasn't cheap at around $1,400 but for me it was a small price to pay to protect myself from the high cost of any complications, even though they are very rare.

Edited December 26, 201510 yr by shriner37

My insurance doesn't cover WLS or any complications of WLS. I went to Mexico and was self pay, knowing full well any complications would bankrupt me and leave me unemployed. But I also researched the hell out of the surgeons down there and went with a FACS certified Bariatric Surgeon of Excellence at an International Center of Excellence. With a complication rate 1/10 of the US average and having performed over 12,000 bariatric surgeries I felt very comfortable with my decision. But the financial aspect is just one more risk we self-pays have to figure into the equation if pros vs cons.

Yes and maybe no? There's no good answer here because we can't see into the future. I can honestly say I haven't NEEDED to see my surgeon since surgery. I didn't have any complications so my check ups are just routine junk. I could go to my primary for labs if I needed to so really I haven't a lot of use for my surgeon now. I still go because I have insurance but if I didn't I wouldn't. If you have issues it could cost you a small fortune. Flip a coin! ☺️

I imagine you've done thorough research and have valid reasons for wanting to have the surgery and foresee enough benefits to make the normal risks of surgery worth it. If it makes you feel better, look for some sort of complication coverage as one of the other posters mentioned. Every surgical procedure ( elective or not) has risks. Do your research before selecting a surgeon and a surgery center and follow the pre and post op instructions to a T to minimize your chances of complications. They do happen but are very rare - i believe less than 1%. You can't not proceed because of the fear of complications. Good luck!

P.S: I am 2 weeks post op and was a self pay patient here in Ohio, I had some of the same concerns you're having.

This has not even occurred to me. I am having to be a cash pay patient and just assumed my insurance would cover any complications despite the fact that it is specifically written in my policy that weight loss surgery is not covered.

This is scary stuff. I'm at the point now where I'm afraid more of not getting the surgery than getting it because of how big I've gotten and how difficult it is now to do anything.

My insurance doesn't cover WLS or any complications of WLS. I went to Mexico and was self pay, knowing full well any complications would bankrupt me and leave me unemployed. But I also researched the hell out of the surgeons down there and went with a FACS certified Bariatric Surgeon of Excellence at an International Center of Excellence. With a complication rate 1/10 of the US average and having performed over 12,000 bariatric surgeries I felt very comfortable with my decision. But the financial aspect is just one more risk we self-pays have to figure into the equation if pros vs cons.

Which dr did you go with?

I looked into two programs when I began the bariatric process.

Both were in local hospitals.

Both had top notch surgeons.

I abandoned my insurance once their bullcrap kept surfacing and delaying things.

Both programs offered self-pay options for around $22,000.

One program included an insurance that covered any complications for the first year in that pice.

If I'd not had health insurance at all......I would have still done the insurance.

It has, in 3 months, been quite remarkable. Getting off daily meds is going to happen. Some meds are gone already.....some are now at 1/2 dosage. This is at 3 months. Maybe by 6 months all that stuff will be gone for good. The price of those meds....w/o insurance....stings. I just felt that sting when getting a perception filled yesterday......deductible has started over and the cost is full force. Ouch.