Question:
I have a BMI of 31 and live in the Okc, Ok area. Can I have surgery?

I also have high blood pressure and high chlorestrol and heart palpitations. Every diet I wind up gaining more. So depressed. Do you think there is a doctor in my area that will do a verticle sleeve, if I pay the costs?    — EsmeAnna (posted on August 7, 2010)

August 7, 2010
Hi DiAnna: I personally am 7+mos. postop RNY GBS and I am a bit confused as to whether or not I understood your questioning correctly; so I will begin there. It is my understanding you are wondering if a surgeon would consider a procedure on you if you are a self-pay? If I misunderstood, my apologies, but it is my belief that a WLS would consider anyone that was not dependent on insurance for payment. By anyone, of course I mean you would have to speak to them about their personal criteria, etc., but I believe they would at least consider you and you would be eligible. However, I caution you as to what the costs entail. Personally, my RNY surgery was in excess of $87.5 thousand dollars for a 1-night stay at a Ctr. for Excellence in PA and that was just the charges the hospital billed the insurance company. I am certain they were paid many thousands less, but if you are NOT covered by insurance is where you have no chips to bargain with (like an insurance provider would w/the hospital). However, that said and all other factors aside it is/was my understanding that you are considered eligible for surgery if you have a BMI >35 WITH any comorbidities (like your HTN and elevated cholesterol factors, etc.) and you are considered eligible for insurance coverage if you have a BMI >40 with NO comorbidities. I also would be remiss if I were not to suggest you consider all the options you may be eligible for and that you research them all as best you can. I have included some links at the bottom of this message that I hope may be helpful to you in that quest. I also recommend you find a surgeon close to your area and attend a WLS infomercial (per se) and at the end of the presentation most docs will open it up to the floor for Q&A. If you are NOT comfortable in the open type of forum my other suggestion might be to contact the surgeon's office directly and ask if they consider a 1:1 courtesy consult (albeit limited) to discuss options, concerns, fears, etc. I personally found my WLS to be a true breath of fresh area and one that had a bedside manner second to none! In all seriousness I had worked in the medical field for a number of years prior to our meeting (my surgeon and I) and I had found the majority of docs to be nothing short of pompous and egotistical buttheads! To find one as caring, concerned and not at all limited with time -- as most others I had been associatied with -- was nothing short of a sheer delight. He made me comfortable and confident from the first meeting. I have found MOST WLS to be incredible human beings who want nothing short of a great life outcome for their pts. and they consider returning you to a change in lifestyle to be nothing more than a shove in the right direction for you to turn your life around. Well all the above said, here are a few links that I hope are helpful to you in your quest. Post-Op WLS Concerns: http://www.asbs.org/html/pdf/asbs_bspc.pdf WLS Comparison Chart: http://www.wlswiki.com/index.php?title=Weight_Loss_Surgery_Comparison_Chart Another Surgery Comparison Chart: http://www.lapsf.com/weight-loss-surgeries.html And no matter what you choose, here's wishing you a lifetime of success on your journey. Best of luck!
   — momeego

August 7, 2010
How young are you?
   — Janell C.

August 7, 2010
Hi Diana, Really the only way to find out will be to go to a Seminar and find out. The way my surgeon works it is he gives a presentation to a group about the different surgeries he offers (RNY, Sleeve, Band) and then calls the interested parties back for a one on one consultation. Not sure how far you are from Dallas, TX..(google said 210..3hrs by car), but there are surgeons in that area who are doing bands for 10K. I know you said sleeve, but if they're offering band at that price, they might also have a good price for sleeves. Why do you want a sleeve for starting at a relatively low BMI? (I admit I'm biased.. I'm banded. :) but I also know that different WLS's work best for different people) Hope this helps somewhat.
   — Lisaizme

August 7, 2010
Medical guidelines in the US require 35 BMI w/co-morbidities or a BMI or 40. Don't know if you can find a Dr you can private pay for this. Not sure I would be willing to use someone that would
   — Donna O.

August 8, 2010
If you are going to self-pay, why not seek out the best vertical sleeve surgeon? Contact Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. You can find his contact information here on OH and you can read reviews from hundreds of his patients on here also. He did my sleeve on June 16th and I'm down 40 pounds. And it was the best medical care I've ever received. He's also about $2,000 cheaper than the US surgeons I investigated. Good luck to you.
   — boernecheryl

August 8, 2010
I'm not sure. I had a wonderful doctor here in La. He has moved to OKC.OK. His name is Dr.Toby Broussard. He is an excellent surgeon. Good Luck. Bonnie
   — bink39