Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hi all,

Not sure if this is in the right place, but I had questions about how you all paid/are paying for surgery? I've been looking at self-pay options, financing, and CareCredit. After waffling back and forth for the last year, I have decided I do want to pursue surgery. My insurance will not cover it. So, I am looking at all my options. I'm still a little wary, only because I also am set to being graduate school in the next year and I am afraid of blowing up my finances. I'm just looking for stories of how you all made it work when it was not covered by insurance. Covid is also making it difficult. I had considered traveling to Mexico, but it doesn't look like that is going to work. I don't know that I feel good about traveling like that. Then, someone mentioned Blossom Bariatrics in Las Vegas for a lower priced, good, self-pay option. Anyway, any input would be appreciated. I want this. I just am not quite sure how I'll make it happen.

Thanks in advance!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have good insurance so I didn't have to deal with this, but I know Mexico is very popular among the self-pay crowd. I would search for info on the left top hand corner of this page. Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My insurance was going to make me jump through so many hoops and take about a year to approve after that. I chose to self pay. Doctor, hospital and anesthesia was $11500. I had it done in West Texas.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had mine done for $4300 in Nuevo Laredo and my wife had hers done in Piedras Negras with Dr Alverez and it was around $8000. I went the costco route and she wanted Whole Foods :) the difference between the two? Surgery wise I’d say very little. Her facility is much nicer with the “hotel” and hospital an all in one location, more people dedicated to her post op care. An extra night in the hospital. Mine was a night in a local hotel and one night in the public hospital in the city. With both I personally felt just as comfortable as any US hospital I’ve been in. She was not happy with my place because the language barrier, it didn’t concern me, I used google translate if I needed to and in the end it all worked out absolutely fine. Doctors are human and like any profession you have ones who care and ones who don’t, ones who excel and ones who just do the bare minimum. Infections and complications can and do happen anywhere, but in general this is a pretty quick and easy procedure. She’s still recovering (had hers done today) and I’m 4 weeks out and feeling great.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My sister and I wen to Tijuana MX. We had it done with VIVE plastics and we had a great experience with them. We each paid 4000 including the medicine and stuff the gave us to take home. We had ours Done like a month ago and i do not regret it one bit. At the beginning i hated it because it was all liquids, but then i was like its all in my mind. I know i can do it, and so far so good.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Teres36 said:

My insurance was going to make me jump through so many hoops and take about a year to approve after that. I chose to self pay. Doctor, hospital and anesthesia was $11500. I had it done in West Texas.

It's definitely a process! Mine took a total of 15 months and tons of tests! But I didn't have $11,500 burning a hole in my pocket.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, ana6009 said:

Hi all,

Not sure if this is in the right place, but I had questions about how you all paid/are paying for surgery? I've been looking at self-pay options, financing, and CareCredit. After waffling back and forth for the last year, I have decided I do want to pursue surgery. My insurance will not cover it. So, I am looking at all my options. I'm still a little wary, only because I also am set to being graduate school in the next year and I am afraid of blowing up my finances. I'm just looking for stories of how you all made it work when it was not covered by insurance. Covid is also making it difficult. I had considered traveling to Mexico, but it doesn't look like that is going to work. I don't know that I feel good about traveling like that. Then, someone mentioned Blossom Bariatrics in Las Vegas for a lower priced, good, self-pay option. Anyway, any input would be appreciated. I want this. I just am not quite sure how I'll make it happen.

Thanks in advance!

Obviously depends on how much money you have to spare :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you all so much for responding! I’ve been thinking about the Mexico route because I’ve heard of so many people who’ve had good experiences. I’m just a little concerned about traveling right now. I guess if I could road trip it wouldn’t be so bad.

@MIKEYY84lol. Very little money to spare. I’m just finally mentally (as much as possible this early) ready to do it. I wish my insurance would cover it, but they will not. Plus, with self-pay I don’t have to wait as long.

Even with self-pay, I would probably have to finance. Unless I went to Mexico.

It’s just helpful to hear how other people have made it happen

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I paid for as much as I could with my savings (which wasn't very much[emoji23][emoji24]) and then did the rest with care credit. Thankfully my hospital participates in the no interest program with care credit. My only thought to you would be to be wary of care credit if your hospital isn't part of the no interest program as their interest in my opinion is a little high, and I think you could get a better deal maybe with just an old fashioned personal loan. I'd def compare interest rates. Oh! And I think a few credit cards have a no interest for x amount of months deal you could look into? Just a few thoughts.

Sent from my SM-G981U using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't know anything about it other than a board member had plastic surgery there (and liked it), but BariatricPal has a hospital in Mexico.

https://bariatricpalhospitalmx.com/

Definitely worth checking out!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My insurance doesn’t cover it either. I took out a personal loan and am paying with that. To me, it’s worth the investment. My surgery date is next Thursday!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery in May at Blossom Bariatrics in Las Vegas. They filed it with my insurance and out of pocket only had to pay $6000. I scheduled it several months in advance, so I was able to put money back into a separate account to go towards it. I was able to save up enough and was able to pay it off two weeks prior to my surgery.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had insurance with a gap of $4000- which covered everything and all surgeon appointments for life

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×