'Low' BMI; insurance will not cover the sleeve, should I self pay??

Hello there!  I just found out today that my insurance will not cover the sleeve.  My BMI is 'too low' according to aetna, yet my doctor says my BMI is to high (kinda makes me laugh).  I am prior military and have worked out my entire life, yet find the scale climbing at a silly rate.  I would like to self pay but would really like feedback from others on this great forum.  If you chose self pay, are you glad you did?  Were you able to loose the weight and keep it off?  Did you loose your mind during this process? :). Any feedback is welcomed!

I just barely squeaked by insurance but if I'd run into trouble I would have self-paid. There are a few well trusted surgeons in Mexico and Brazil if you have to keep the cost down. 

Dr Marchesini in Brazil: http://www.bariatricsurgeryinbrazil.com/

Dr Ungson in Mex: http://www.clexci.com/

Yes Ma'am!  I self paid and glad that I did.  I have the sleeve.   I did find an excellent surgeon in Mexicali and had surgery in Jan 2010.  I paid about $8,000 if I am remembering correctly, including air-fair.  I am not prior military, but my husband is.  I have kept my weight off with some work.  I am up and down about 5 lbs as I live in the maintenance stage for the rest of my life.    I could never do that prior to surgery.  My size is 4 or 6 depending on the brand.  This has been the best thing that I ever did for myself.  Just the last few days (4) before surgery was difficult for me.  My relationship with food has changed.  The stomach growling has not returned for me (I know it has for others).  I do feel my sugar levels drop when it's time to eat.  

All my best to you with your decision making!  It was the right choice for me.  I know you will find what is right for you too.  Do your research, find peace with your decision, and do whatever is right for you.  

k    

Thank you so much for your reply!  A 4-6 happens to be my dream size!  How long did it take for you to get there?  Any major challenges/pitfalls?  The earliest surgery date they have is Sept 8th after I attend an all day class on Sunday about my new tummy and what my future meals will look like.  I told myself I would wait till the class was over to make my final decicsion but I am feeling like I am 95% sure I will go ahead with it!  You really have insiped me too btw!  Thank you for being military wife!  Sometimes that can be more difficult than wearing the boots every day :))

I got there in less than a year (probably 8 months).  Of course major changes!  The first 3 year are a honeymoon!!!!  Now the work begins.  But I'm doing the work and I could never do it before.  Keep asking questions.  This is a great supportive group!

I thought of one draw back that I forgot to mention.   I now take nexium once or twice a day.  I don't take much, it's a small dose (I think 10 mg's) but I can't seem to get off of it.  

For some of us the stomach continues to make acid as if it were full size and that's a problem.  Some people don't need the nexium because the stomach figures it out and makes less acid but that does not seem to be my situation.  I did not have acid problems before surgery (I know that a lot of people do).  So I was not expecting to have this problem.  

What we don't know is how taking nexium will effect my bones.   There is info out there that says that taking the nexium keeps us from absorbing calcium, which makes our bones weak in old age.  Some say that we do absorb enough calcium in the other times of the day, to keep our bones strong.  So only time and research will tell.   I continue to watch my labs and stay in shape and hope for the best.  Compared to diabetes, high blood pressure, inactivity etc, I will take this potential problem.

Best of luck.

K 

I was self-pay because my insurance didn't cover it. Technically I was eligible but barely. But it was excluded.

How low are you? I think anything 35 or above is a no brainer. Lower than 35 and it would depend on your medical history. But it's all arbitrary numbers to some extent. I mean it's not like someone with a BMI of 35.1 is obviously unhealthy but someone with a BMI of 34.9 is completely healthy.

I'm at a 34.8 BMI.  You are so right!  I heard from a couple of friends that since my insurance won't cover I shouldn't do the surgery, too much risk they say and my BMI is too low; I should just hit the gym harder. :/ like I haven't done that for the last 20 years lol. Ready for a real change!

Or you could drink a lot of water before you get weighed next time. ;)

I started at 34.6, gained not even 5 pounds and got to 35.1. It was that easy. I was willing to do lap band, but after going to a seminar I decided against it because of the constant maintenance. And the surgeon stating the statistics that 1 out of 3 need to have some kind of surgery again for "repairs" on it.  Yikes. If my insurance doesn't pay for it the first time... They sure the heck won't pay to fix it either. Seemed to risky if I had to shell out the money.  He also said that there is less than a 5% chance you will ever lose the weight and actually keep it off.  I waited a month and then just decided to do it. What's 5 pounds to gain when I have so much already to lose.  I'm just going to keep getting fatter over time as the past has already led me to this point. Getting back up to my highest weight again. If people can get breast implants and tummy tucks and face lifts, why can't I get a smaller tummy?