I am a great yo yo dieter. So at 66 yrs old, I've finally come to the conclusion that if I want to keep my weight off I need a new approach. WLS fits the bill on that. I've scoured the internet and feel fairly informed. My doc agreed that WLS would be a good option for me. I have Kaiser insurance but I may not quite meet their qualifications. So my question is - Is there a bariatric surg. program in the Portland, Or area that will take a marginally non qualifying person? I won't have insurance so cost will be a consideration. Thank you for any info you can give me.

I would ask your doctor for a recommendation. At least, that's what I did. And you may not have insurance to pay for it if your BMI is too low, but most places will let you pay out of pocket as long as your health doesn't make it a safety issue for you to have the surgery. I would try a major academic medical center, or at least find out if where you are going is bariatric center of excellence. Also, many people go to Mexico or Blossom (in Las Vegas) if cost is an issue.

Thank you. I will talk with my doc. I guess I was hoping there would be a Blossom type clinic around me.

There might be a lower cost bariatric clinic near you, you could google it. But maybe someone else here knows and will respond. Also, you could try searching "Oregon" or "Portland" in the forums if you haven't done that yet.

So it’s outside of PDX but Dr. Tersigni with Bay Bariatrics in coos bay has a very affordable self pay option. He’s been doing these surgeries for a long time. I saw him, and I personally know 3 other people who got surgery from him as well.

I traveled from outside the area to see him- rented a house from vacasa and stayed there for 5 days. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Looks like an outpatient sleeve there is $9,995.

That's nice to hear Blackcats... Do you feel they have good follow up care? Or what did you do for the year or more following the surgery? I was thinking of a bypass but not if I get the surgery out of town. I think a sleeve would be safer. I've been waiting weeks for Kaiser's verdict but I'd like to be ready with Plan B.

I’ve been very happy with their care. I did most of my appointments remotely so I didn’t have to travel a ton. I like that they do so many out of area patients they have a schedule for you- you come the week before for a single day and do all your preop labs, ekg, final appointment, etc, then they have you stay in town until a few days post op when you get the green light to leave the area after your final post op visit.

I emailed the PA a few times when I had questions and she wrote right back. I’m on the standard schedule for post op with regular teleappointments, and I do my labs here and they go over them with me.

Overall I wouldn’t change a thing- he is one of the most experienced surgeons in the area and I know so many people who had great experiences there it was an easy decision. I used insurance and I could have seen a doctor in Portland or another city but I wanted someone who came recommended by people I knew. I got the sleeve and it’s been a good choice on that front as well. I’m 145 lbs down as of this morning and still losing without any complications or problems so I’m happy all around! ?