jthomp7889

I will be 2yrs in May and NO REGRETS. 6 friends went after me to the same doctor and all are doing great. Go for it!!

My BMI is 36 and will be about 35 by the time I go in for surgery next week. I am self pay and also bought the Bliscare because my insurance company will not back me up if there is a complication. I have a Dr who will do the surgery for $10k plus some incidentals. He has done over 300 and the plus is a single incision! We just have to remember it's an investment into ourselves.

Hey guys, yes I am self pay for the sleeve. But I am traveling for it. I am going to NC and because I am a lower BMI the cost is $10k. I am taking the Blis care (big for me) and with all the extras I'm just over $12k. Anywhere in New England for self pay is so expensive. Plus, I am finding out the sleeve it really not popular in this area like it is elsewhere. Any questions just ask.

I'm a month out so post some feedback! Best wishes.

Good luck.... where are you having your surgery?

Good luck! After your successful surgery you can enjoy the warmth and sun of Mexico... Send updates!

Hello all, well I think I have turned the corner since finding out I am a self payer which crappy insurance thanks to my employer. I did a lot of looking into the Lapband but don't have the time or $ to work in all the fills etc. So, I came across the sleeve. I have read many of your stories and so many were great. Although I do sometime wonder about the horror stories not told. I have contacted a long distance Dr in Michigan (I'm in Mass) named Dr. Mark Pleatman. Seems nice and pretty confident. I can do his price of $11,700 and all I need to do is buy my plane ticket and give him the day i will come out! But I just find myself really nervous about cutting my stomach in half and how the heck it doesn't leak SOMEHOW is beyond me! I even worry about the staples working loose an piercing my liver or another organ. Guess that's just me, a worry wart. Any good reinforcement (long term sleevers reply!) would really be appreciated. I'm 45 with a BMI of only 36 5"10" male. Just want to reduce back issues, feel better, breathe better and of course, look better!

Thanks... Yes I would love for her to come to a class but I am going to do a long distance sleeve by myself. Someone needs to stay home and tend to the fort! I just need to wake up soon and make the call to set the day and stop worrying about complications. I just wish I could buy surgery insurance to cover self pay surgery is there are complications. My insurance will not. Nor does the Doctor belong to a group I can buy from. I think if I had that piece of mind I'd have a date set!

Thanks for the info... I have read through so many of peoples stories I fall asleep at night with my laptop on my chest watching You Tubers and reading here. The wife is saying it looks to risky but she only spent 2 mins watching a video and made her mind it was a bad idea. I have weeks and weeks of reading blogs and they alone brought me to the sleeve. I appreciate everyones input! Thanks

Thanks for the idea. I will friend her. I am just nervous about a difficult recovery and of course a leak. Being self pay I cannot afford anything other than right the first time. Where you insurance? Who was your doctor?

Where did you get fills for $25?

I live in central Mass and qualify for surgery. The problem is it is a exclusion on my insurance and they cover nothing. Nice! But they're ok paying Dr bills in regards to being overweight. I'm wondering if anyone has been a self-pay in this area and the costs. Also, the aftercare. Any recommendations/comments/stories are helpful. I called one location which is about 50 miles away for me and it’s $20k… Lot of $$ and lot of travel. Umass will not do self pay, insurance only. I know Mexico is offering some deals but who can go back for fills and who in the area would pick up the slack here if there were an issue?