A few people on here went to Mexico to have their surgery. Apparently it is much cheaper.

Hopefully they will reply.

You can start here: http://medicaltourism.com/

Sorry I can't help you. I could have never done it without my insurance paying for it

My insurance didn't pay so I got a medial loan through Medicalfinance.com. There are lots of companies out there and I found them researching the web. They are mostly all high interest, this one is no different and you may need a cosigner.

If you go to Mexico DEFINITELY do your homework. There is good, bad and very bad. I went to Mexico for the lapband - I couldn't get it due to other health issues and it was a wasted trip because they didn't read my medical history report. The place I went to was in Tijuana. Otherwise I was impressed by the surgeon and the privately owned hospital. The surgeon was Dr. Kuri and I still would recommend him - the other ladies in my group were pleased with their surgeries and they paid a fraction of what it costs in the states ($7,000?).

I ended up getting GB here and it worked out for the best and I am very pleased with the end result. I had a 'package deal' that fixed my other surgical issue as well but in the end both surgeries cost more than anticipated - exceeding $70,000. Because we had the arrangement up front, they stayed with the agreed upon pricing we paid about $34,000.

It is a very costly procedure and it will change your life forever. In the end it will add years to your life and you can't put a price on your health. Hope this helps.

SORRY - the company I used is at
http://medicalfinancing.com/patients/

Go to endobariatric.com on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/51462938422/

Also...

https://www.facebook.com/sleevedoctor

There is a huge medical tourism industry geared for North Americans who have gaps in their insurance coverages. Check it out for Costa Rica or Mexico. Also, there is Care Credit (a GMAC company) that is a credit plan designed to pay for health care for people and pets. A combination of medical tourism and the Care Credit program may work for you.

I had my surgery in Tijuana, Mexico at hospital Angeles, which is a very modern medical center. The cost was $7500. They pick you up at the San Diego airport and take you to the hospital. They get all the pre-op stuff done quickly (blood tests, chest xray, EKG, barium swallow and then get you settled into your room. The surgeon, anesthetist, nutritionist all come to talk to you. Then they start your IV and you are off to surgery (sometimes it is the next day). They took excellant care of me afterwards (there were lots of staff on the floor and my call light was answered immediately if I needed pain meds or nausea medicine). After 2 more nights they drove me back to the airport and I flew home. I recovered very quickly and have been happy with my progress. Definitely consider this option, but do your research about the surgeon and hospital you are going to. My surgeon was Dr Corvalo. Good luck.

I haven't had WLS yet but if my insurance won't pay for it I wouldn't be able to afford to have it paying on my own. My insurance does cover it but a person doesn't know if they will actually cover yourself till the dr. submits the paperwork.

In addition to medical loans and credit cards, there are sometimes clinical trials, etc at teaching hospitals.

I also have heard of surgeon's cutting deals with people for a dramatically reduced rate. Have you discussed options with your doctor?

what kind of insurance do you have? that must be difficult coz it can be expensive...why would your isnurance not cover it? do they deemed it as not medically needed? most hmo i thnk you have o go through a diet observation or plan first for about 6 months beifre they approve it and if you have ppo it shouldnt be a problem. but then agan you have to meet the qualifications for insurance to cover itl
i do undertsnad that some went to mexico and did it but make sure you also thnk of what if some complications happens then where would you go. i would suggest to wait and get a better health insurance and as long its medically necessary

My insurance does not cover this surgery. I went to Mexico and had a very good experience. Dr. Verboonen was my surgeon. Someone else on this post spoke of a good experience in Mexico also -- with a different doctor. I flew to San Diego on Sunday morning. Drs picked me up from the airport - took me to Mexico did lab work and had surgery Sunday afternoon. I was back home on Wednesday afternoon.

My sister-in-law had the surgery a year before me (in Mexico) and followed in the footsteps of some of her colleagues (nurses and other medical professionals.). I feel very blessed that this option was available to me.
The surgery was $8,000. I am lucky enough that my employer has a a plan where I get money taken out of each paycheck that goes toward medical bills. I had the maximum taken out - so I only had to come up with about $4,000 for the surgery. That seemed like a big obstacle at first, but I was able to get a personal loan to cover it.

Here I am 7 months later and 121 lbs lighter. I couldn't be happier (or feel more blessed) with the decision I made. Feel free to message me if I can help you with any more information. Chris :)

I also heard of Dr. Quiroz in Mexico... you might consider changing insurance if you can... this is really worth it.

I had my surgery in El Paso which is 5 hours away from me. I asked him if I needed to stay nearby for a few days after I checked out of the hospital... he said I could but most people did not.

I had no problems really and then my surgeon's office was available on the phone for questions...be sure you get advised regarding diet and so on though before you leave.

why you insurance doesnt pay for it?hats their reasoning to it..normally if its medically necessary it should be covered...i researched so much about that prior to my surgery...
well i have ppo and as soon as my insurnace kicked this year i saw a bariatric surgeon and did all the test etc...and in a month i got the authorization for surgery...i thought of appealing it if my insurnace denies it but they approved it...if you have ppo it shouldnt be a problem as long you meet the criteria ...and if hmo they also will approve it but it just a longer process ...
basically if it is deemed medical necessity, its covered..

Thank you all for the great ideas. Bariatric surgery isn't included in my group health plan at work because we are a small company, and it cuts down costs to exclude it. I am not eligible for an individual plan because of my rheumatoid arthritis - which is why I am needing the surgery. I'm going to check some other surgery options.

Jane