How to start?

[Ikram 2]

Hello,

I am looking into how to start my journey. I don’t know where to go or to contact? Could you please help?

[GreenTealael 24,905]

Check for insurance coverage of WLS➡

Primary physician ➡

Get a referral to Bariatric surgeon ➡

Decide if its right for you ➡

Eat at favorite restaurant ➡

Begin required diet/testing ➡

Wonder if you can just do it "naturally"➡

Tell family/friends ➡

Hear horror stories ➡

Eat at your second favorite restaurant ➡

Gain 5lbs & decide it's time to get serious ➡

Complete all prerequisites ➡

Wait for insurance approval & receive it ➡

Schedule surgery ➡

Wonder if you should just do it "naturally" ➡

Decide to do it anyway ➡

Start and finish some form of pre-op diet ➡

Have surgery ➡

*The rest is up to you*

Good Luck 🌈

[lisafrommassachusetts 319]

Lots of truth in there, @GreenTealael!

[Ikram 2]

Did anybody pay out of pocket? How much was it?

[Sammi_Katt 303]

44 minutes ago, Ikram said:

Did anybody pay out of pocket? How much was it?

I did. I did the fast track program through Blossom Bariatrics in Las Vegas Nevada... I don't have insurance, so my total cost was $15,000, but I know they offer it for around $6500 with insurance if it's approved.

[Krestel 330]

Even if you are looking into WLS (and I totally agree with the list above), let me suggest one thing you can do already starting now. Keep a food journal! It doesnt have to be detailed but should just be something for yourself of what you eat and when you eat it. This is THE best first step that I did on this journey and everyone can do it. It also showed my doctor that I was serious about the process and showed me where my weak spots were. I started this as a New Years Resolution two years ago and am still doing it.

[ronjsteele1 20]

2 hours ago, Ikram said:

Did anybody pay out of pocket? How much was it?

I’m paying out of pocket through Blossom Bariatric and it’s $9499 bc they are estimating they can get our insurance to pay the difference up to their $15k fee. The deal with Blossom is if your insurance doesn’t pay the difference then you only pay the amount they quoted you. If you’re 100% cash it’s $15k.

[Bastian 458]

12 hours ago, Ikram said:

Hello,

I am looking into how to start my journey. I don’t know where to go or to contact? Could you please help?

which country are you in as the process is very different

[Ikram 2]

3 hours ago, Bastian said:

which country are you in as the process is very different

I live in California and it will be 100% out of pocket since I don’t meet any of their requirements except my BMI is 31.

[Ikram 2]

12 hours ago, ronjsteele1 said:

I’m paying out of pocket through Blossom Bariatric and it’s $9499 bc they are estimating they can get our insurance to pay the difference up to their $15k fee. The deal with Blossom is if your insurance doesn’t pay the difference then you only pay the amount they quoted you. If you’re 100% cash it’s $15k.

I was looking into that too, I was contacted by an agency this morning and gave me options in Tijuana, Baja Mexico. Also Las Vegas. But Mexico way cheaper. Do you think staying in the US is a better choice? And mine will be 100% out of pocket.

[danielleleigh90 124]

1 hour ago, Ikram said:

I was looking into that too, I was contacted by an agency this morning and gave me options in Tijuana, Baja Mexico. Also Las Vegas. But Mexico way cheaper. Do you think staying in the US is a better choice? And mine will be 100% out of pocket.

Hey! I’m not self pay, but there is a forum on this website for those who are & also discusses options in Mexico. I like to read through it just in case I were to get a denial or something. Hope this helps!

[Ikram 2]

46 minutes ago, danielleleigh90 said:

Hey! I’m not self pay, but there is a forum on this website for those who are & also discusses options in Mexico. I like to read through it just in case I were to get a denial or something. Hope this helps!

Thank you so much!!! I will look for it

[rs 1,473]

Check for insurance coverage of WLS
Primary physician
Get a referral to Bariatric surgeon
Decide if its right for you
Eat at favorite restaurant
Begin required diet/testing
Wonder if you can just do it "naturally"
Tell family/friends
Hear horror stories
Eat at your second favorite restaurant
Gain 5lbs & decide it's time to get serious
Complete all prerequisites
Wait for insurance approval & receive it
Schedule surgery
Wonder if you should just do it "naturally"
Decide to do it anyway
Start and finish some form of pre-op diet
Have surgery
*The rest is up to you*
Good Luck

[jlb8080 45]

I used insurance for mine, but I know a TON of people who went to the OCC in Tijuana and it's suppose to be world renowned. My sister is going there this week for surgery and she had to pay $6500. Def worth looking into!!