a little help please

hello all.  i'm from largo fl and will be enrolling in aetna insurance, maybe.  i was just wondering if anyone else on here has aetna and might be able to help me out with letting me know what they've gone through to get their surgery and how long?  Also, i am thinking of possibly going to the self-pay route if the insurance isn't cooperative or whatnot.  Anyone on here go self-pay?  and where can i find a decent price.  btw, i want the VSG (gastric sleeve)done.  that's my number 1 choice.  RNY (gastric bypass)is my 2nd.

I have Aetna HMO but every policy is different.  Your best bet is to call your insurance company and ask exactly what they require.  Mine required 6 months of medically supervised dieting.  I did get approved in 7 calendar days but now they no longer cover bariatric surgery.

Self pay prices are competitive and you will probably just have to check around with local surgeons and see who charges what.

Your best bet is to attend any information seminars that are available so you can meet the surgeons and hear the presentation from the office's finance person.  And you might want to visit those same seminars a second time in case the presenters were having an exceptionally good day or bad day when you attend the first time.

Don't be afraid to ask questions at these seminars.  There are probably other people in the room who will want the same questions answered but they're just too shy to ask.

Good luck on your journey.  Let us know if we can help you anywhere along the way.

LaWanda