Has anyone done this without insurance?

I'm trying to find a way to do this even though I don't have insurance. Is this just wishful thinking?

There are some people who self-pay.  I have heard that Dr. Tersigni at the Coos Bay Hospital does lap bands for $10,000. Linda

I had insurance but I know that a lot of the dr.s offices have payment plans and financing options available so you may want to give them a call. good luck Tara

I just had surgery (08/08/07) with Dr. Umbach and I'm a self-pay patient. I borrowed a large majority of the money from a high limit credit card (used a 5.9% for the life of the purchase check they send out) and financed $7000 with capitalone health. I paid for a 2 night stay at the hospital but was out in one day so I'm hoping for a refund to cover the $7000 or a large chunk to get rid of that bill. Financially I will struggle but my insurance wouldn't cover the procedures and even though I wasn't gaining weight (holding 285 give or take 10-15 pounds the past 12 years) my co-morbidities kept getting worse (mainly HBP). Now 5 days out Post-Op I'm happy with my decision and it still seems surreal that I did it. Doing this without insurance is stressful but it can be done and with self-pay it happens fast! My first consult was on July 12 and I had my surgery scheduled within 2 weeks. All together, depending on my refund from Sacred Heart, this will cost me around $25,000... BTW, if you have decent credit the capitalone loans are approved in like 5 minutes online so there is no waiting to know if they'll finance you or not. Best of luck and if you have any questions, please ask. The past 3 months have been stressful and I know the anxiety and discouragement that comes from having insurance that thinks WLS is cosmetic!! Carrie in Sutherlin

I did it without insurance...we just refinanced our house to get the extra money. All in all, like another poster said it will run around 25,000. I went to Washington Bariatrics in Renton WA to have it done. Good luck to you. I know it's more difficult to get it done w/o insurance..but it can be done.

I has bypass surgery 8 years ago and I also had to self pay.  My insurance had an exclusion and would not pay for weight loss surgery. My husband and I took out a second on our home.  Weight loss surgery has changed my life and inproved my health.  Please take the time to look at your options and don't give up.  Bay Bariatrics in Coos Bay has a package price for the Lap Band and the bypass surgery.  The lap Band is $10,000 and the bypass surgery is $24,300.  Capital one and surgery loans.com will loan money for surgery if you have good credit.  Good luck to you! Robin Stephenson

I had a revision from an old WLS from 1990 to the gastric bypass - all without insurance.  So far my bill is about $50K and I haven't received the doctors bills yet - just hospital and anesthesiologists.  It will probably go beyond $60K.  I'm grateful to be alive and now (finally) losing weight.  We also used a credit card with low interest initially, but ended up taking out a Home Equity Line of Credit.   And, since it was a self-pay surgery, everything went quickly - which I am grateful for, since I probably would have died waiting for the insurance to approve everything!  Things always work out for the best.  Do whatever you can.  It will be worth it in the end.  Good luck to you. 

I self paid taking a second out on my house with Dr. Tersigni in North Bend paid $10,000.  Good luck ! Gail

I also did a self-pay option with Dr. Umbach and it was the best choice I have made.  I took out a capital one loan also.  What's is really nice is that if the cost of the surgery is over 7% (I think) of your gross annual income, then you can deduct it and all of your medical bills (drs fees, prescriptions, mileage for travel to appointments, etc.) from your taxes.  My tax refund was about $7500. Good Luck Jennifer