Self pay, sleeve during gallbladder surgery?

[soccermom2 27]

I've recently found out that I need to have my gallbladder removed. I was going to travel next summer to have the gastric sleeve done by a cheaper surgeon because my BMI (36) is not high enough for insurance coverage.

Anyway, I was wondering if it would be worth it to try to get the surgeries performed at the same time here. If that's even possible. If all I had to pay is the surgeon fee since I will already be in surgery, it would be much more affordable. Has anyone done this before?

I'll definitely be calling for more info. next week. Just looking for some advice in the meantime.

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[trekker954 421]

I'm probably not much help, because insurance is paying for my sleeve and the gallbladder removal is the freebe. Surgeon joked two for the price of one.

The sleeve is the more invasive surgery. When I noticed on the BCBS pre-approval for hospital, no mention of the gallbladder, I called right away and the surgeon's office said, because we do not need prior approval for gallbladder as that is a out patient procedure. But they will be doing them together.

What I'm trying to say, is I don't think you can get insurance to pay for the hospital stay because you are having your gallbladder removed. I'm sure the surgeon can do them together (its actually quite common), however, sleeve surgery is not typically done as outpatient and that is where your costs come in.