Good morning... wondering if anybody opted to do this without insurance? There are so many hoops to jump through that I am considering doing this without insurance. How much? Here or Mexico? Is it worth waiting for and jumping through the hoops or all the same to go out of pocket? Any cautionary tales or advise? Thanks guys!

One of the hoops is that because my bmi isn't high enough I would have to gain weight....

Many many people opt to self-pay for various reasons. In my case, my insurance required a documented BMI over 40 for five years. Well, I had managed to lose 90 pounds on my own a couple of years prior to researching surgery and had gradually gained it back. My BMI had just crept back up over 40 when I decided on surgery. I wasn't about to wait five more years at that BMI before having my VSG. I felt like the insurance requirement was punishing me for at least having *tried* to lose the weight without surgery.

You should check out the Mexico & Self-Pay forum here on BariatricPal:

http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/486-mexico-self-pay-weight-loss-surgery/

Awesome, thanks!!

Fortunately my insurance paid for everything. If I were you, check and see what your insurance/surgeon requirements are first. Waiting 3-6 months is actually good, because it helps you get in the right mindset and teaches you what you need to do to be successful with a sleeve. If you have to wait years, I would suggest looking at Mexico. I only say this because I've read where many people on this site have gone there and they've been very pleased. Also, my bill here in the States was $29,000.00!! That's a LOT out-of-pocket! Good luck with your journey.

I opted to self pay was in Mexico.No regrets at all.

I opted to self pay was in Mexico.No regrets at all.

what dr did u go to in mexico how much did u pay

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Screenshot_2016-02-06-19-12-38.png

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did u go here?

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Fortunately my insurance paid for everything. If I were you, check and see what your insurance/surgeon requirements are first. Waiting 3-6 months is actually good, because it helps you get in the right mindset and teaches you what you need to do to be successful with a sleeve. If you have to wait years, I would suggest looking at Mexico. I only say this because I've read where many people on this site have gone there and they've been very pleased. Also, my bill here in the States was $29,000.00!! That's a LOT out-of-pocket! Good luck with your journey.

The problem is that I have to gain weight in order to meet my BMI before the 6 months can even begin. Otherwise I think giving myself time to wrap my head around the idea is good. Not sure how to pull that off.

I highly recommend you take some time to do your research of surgeons in Mexico if you decide to go that route. There are some excellent surgeons and facilities there, but just like in the US, there are also some hacks. My surgeon and facility was excellent, but more on the pricey side for Mexico. BariatricPal actually partners with a couple of surgeons in Mexico as well. The do the vetting and due diligence for you and offer competitive pricing. You can find out more about in the forum I linked you earlier.

@@njgal You don't have any co-morbidities? I was only a BMI of 37, but with my sleep apnea, GERD and rheumatoid arthritis, I qualified. A lot of people have sleep apnea and don't even know it.

I am opting to go to Mexico instead of using my insurance... I think it will end up being cheaper in the end for me. I am going with Dr. Maytorena at Long Term VSG, the place that shavonne337 posted the screen shot from (they recently changed their name to Long Term WLS). My friend went to him in September after I told her about him when I started my research into Mexico surgeons. She has nothing but good things to say about her experience so I'm confident in my choice. Her dad went to Dr. Ponce and also had a great experience. My surgery will cost $3,4999 (not including tickets and the cost of take home meds) so total for surgery, passport card (since I don't have a passport yet), flights, and take home meds I'm looking at $4,073 total.

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I'm happy for you!!! I really wish you the best.

@@njgal You don't have any co-morbidities? I was only a BMI of 37, but with my sleep apnea, GERD and rheumatoid arthritis, I qualified. A lot of people have sleep apnea and don't even know it.

I have my sleep study scheduled for 2 weeks but really don't think I have sleep apnea. If that doesn't work out i guess i'll be gaining some weight. We'll see. Thanks!

I never thought I had sleep apnea either and I do have it. My husband says I don't even snore. I had the study done before I started the process as part of my veteran's medical evaluation. I told them they were wasting their money because I knew I don't have it. Man was I surprised!