Insurance denial /self pay

After being denied by insurance, has anyone self payed and did you shop around for a low cost safe surgeon?

I had 2 different health policies...both excluded WLS.  I became a cash pay...$23,000.  Both my wife and I are savers anyways...Shop at yardsales, pick up pennies on the ground type of thing.  It was either get it done or die in 2 or 3 years.  I was looking at TJ, Mexico...And that is where I would go if I did it out of country.  I choose locally because I needed to get it done fast and with a good, proven, local surgeon.  I jumped through the hoops quickly...about 3 months for the psych exam, cardi approval, WLS classes, hospital pre op.  Brian  PS  Don't get turned off just because it is TJ...Good surgeon, good hospital, bad area of the country...

Thanks for the reply. I am in the process of appealing my denial. so hopefully I will get approval. I will probably go with the surgeon I am currently working with and self pay. I will have to finance the procedure, so I am currently looking around for the best way /fianacial institution and interest rate. Luckily, I do not have any credit card debt, but my son starts college next year so I don't want to strap myself too tight.

Candice