I'm brand new to this board. I met with a local bariatric surgeon (Dr Tod Eibes) for consultation for a sleeve and he told me that because I did not have any comorbidities and was under 40 BMI (36.7) that he wouldn't touch me. He said they are a Center of Excellence and get reviewed every 3 years and he would get marked down if he took me on. I was planning on self pay (I know insurance doesn't cover my situation) but he still said no.

Help! Where in the USA could I go that would do this? He said no dr at a center of excellence would take me as a patient. (Not interested in Mexico, he told me someone died last just month in Tijuana)

I was under 40 BMI (39), and I got sleeved by an excellent doctor here in Alabama. My insurance wouldn't cover it since I was a lower BMI, so I had to pay out of pocket. I'm sure if you keep looking you will find someone to do it. If you were under 35, yeah, I could see it being a problem. But since you're over, I am sure you can find someone to do it.

My BMI was 35 when I had surgery last year (1/5/16). I did self pay with a great surgeon here in Michigan. Went from SW of 215 to CW of 130 in a year. Best decision ever! His name is Mark Pleatman. He does have a program for out-of-state self pay. His website is DrPleatman.com. He is not as cheap as Mexico, but the hospital care I got was great and his price includes all followup. He doesn't force upsell gis own food and Vitamins (which I see a lot), but does have a nutritionist in house that works with you before and after. I'm thrilled with my results. Good luck!

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Thank you!!!! What was the self pay amount?

My BMI was 35 when I had surgery last year (1/5/16). I did self pay with a great surgeon here in Michigan. Went from SW of 215 to CW of 130 in a year. Best decision ever! His name is Mark Pleatman. He does have a program for out-of-state self pay. His website is DrPleatman.com. He is not as cheap as Mexico, but the hospital care I got was great and his price includes all followup. He doesn't force upsell gis own food and Vitamins (which I see a lot), but does have a nutritionist in house that works with you before and after. I'm thrilled with my results. Good luck!

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Mark pleatman did mine also. My date was 1/31

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