Several months ago I jumped through all the hoops for insurance approval for WLS. I’ve previously had three back surgeries for degenerative disc disease. My doctor, Dr. Aurora, said that I was the ideal candidate. After all was said and done, my insurance would not approve me. I was told that Dr. Aurora was disputing the decision and next thing I knew his nurse called me to inform that that disputing was futile because it wouldn’t be approved and then wished me luck. I was devastated. Due to my back issues, I can not work out until I lose weight. I’m in a catch 22. I’m 38 years old, married, I have a 5 and 9 year at home and I’m missing out on life. I was so devastated by this process that l’m not sure if I could go through it again. I am considering self-pay options. Has anyone self-payed in the Maryland area? If so, how much was your surgery? What was the process leading up to your surgery? Do you have any suggestions for someone in my situation?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

So, I did not do self-pay. But I met with several doctors before I had surgery and one of them did not take my insurance. Dr Greene at Advanced Weight Loss Surgery out of Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. His office was willing to work with me on my out of pocket costs. Ultimately, for various reasons, I did not decide to use him, so I can't give any first hand testimony on how working with him is. It may be worth calling him to see how he deals with self-pay patients. Good luck.

I'm sure you considered this, but have you looked into switching insurance at your next open season? Even if that was the end of the year, you might be able to go through the process before you switch insurance and then submit the paperwork after you've changed insurance. I don't know if that would work, but it may be worth looking in to.

Good luck.

Switching to a good insurance plan is the best idea It is better to self pay for a year than to self pay for surgery

the reason is if you self pay for surgery, insurance will probably not pay for complications I've had several requiring surgery due to scarring and adhesions. Still better being 135 lbs lighter good luck

I am not in Maryland but I did self pay in Florida. I did not have insurance at the time i decided to get this done. I do have insurance now, and they actually cover all my vitamins and b12 100%. Hopefully I wont have any complications that require something else.

For me, I decided to get a credit card with 0% interest for 18 months and that was the end of that. I put the whole surgery on the credit card, and now i pay it off weekly, monthly.. My goal is to have it paid off before the year is up.

I paid $11,800 best money

Was this in Maryland?

I’m going to be self pay in FL. I found 3 surgeons in FL that were more “affordable”. Dr Radecke, Dr Shillingford and Dr Wizman. These are all around 10-11,000 for sleeves. 2 of those Dr do you surgery at bariatric centers of excellence. Other Florida Drs quoted me around 15,000-17,000 for sleeve. I will be cash pay up front. I am very concerned about self-pay complications though. I have United Health for insurance but Dr office told me my plan doesn’t cover bariatric AND I’m low BMI. I also have disc degeneration issues and following weight loss I also want to get a breast reduction. I have numerous herniated disc’s and a broken vertebrae. I think you are just going to have to google and call around like I did to find surgeons in your area. It was time-consuming but I wanted to make sure I knew all of my options.

Edited February 2, 20197 yr by Everythinganna