What Insurance will and won't cover

Hello I am new to this group been in the VSG forum for a while. I am 433 and 5'4" and my surgeon will only do the VSG on me because he says it is safer and he has seen in the last 10 years people doing  better and better with weightloss and stable weights with this VSG surgery.  I am self pay, Insurance does not cover any weight loss surgeries does not even address wellness programs. How did you get financing? here is MO it is about 25K for VSG, MD, Hosp, Anesth. and 3 months post op care.  and I am short 5-10K depending if I have to fix something in my car or home.  I am afraid to go to Mexico for surgery because of my size and co morbidities. But of course my insurance at work will cover fertility care and treatment for the young girls at work not even married to concieve a child! I am frustrated.  Any financing options?

Check into Care credit.  It may be one word.  Good luck, Loris

What co-morbs do you have? I honestly don't think you could find a better surgeon than Dr. Ungston in Mexico.

I strongly advise you to visit the South of the Border board, and the DS board. DSers frequently travel long distances in order to get the DS, even outside the US. And the DS has been shown to have the very BEST long-term,maintained weight loss and resolution or prevention of co-morbs like diabetesa and high cholesterol. And this is especially true for those of us with a starting BMI greater than 50.

I think you can get a DS with Dr. Ungston, everything included, for around 16K.

Check Self Pay Forum - http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/insurance/ -- probably best info from those already going through the process!

I know surgeons in my area will quote prices, and it is a GREAT suggestion to check South Of The Border Forum -- so you can be an informed consumer.

You already are doing the right thing by posting - I hopw you find the information you need - good luck!
Brenda  : )~

Sorry to hear this Maja. The only WLS that may cost less than $20,000 is the lap band.  Make sure you do your research on all WLS's.  They all have their pros and cons.  Make an informed and educated decision.  I am not familiar with self-pay.  But I see you received some wonderful recommendations!  You are on your way by starting to change your life.  I post do my exercise and food diary on myfitnesspal.com.  Please consider joining me there.  This is a wonderful site for additional support.  Email me you email address and I will send you an invite.