Be prepared for many, many steps even if self-pay. It takes months.

[MT1000 6]

I am writing this to help others plan for their surgery. It's August 12 and I started on my journey in mid-May. I am a self pay patient. I have chosen Puget Sound Bariatric Center. The clinic is over an hour away from my house, but has an excellent reputation. I was worried about commute times, but thought I would only have a few pre-op appointments at the clinic per my discussions on the phone with their rep. I have to plan that every appointment will include 3 hours of drive time round trip.

When I first called them, I was told if I completed my tests soon, I would be scheduled for surgery within a month. The initial representative misspoke. Therefore, I wasn't fully prepared for the amount of time it would take to qualify for surgery even though I was self-paying. It takes several months. Unfortunately, I canceled all of my summer plans and now regret that. I wish that clinics would be more accurate in setting expectations.

In June, I met with a Dr. and got my lab orders. The first meeting lasts a few hours because you meet the rest of the team, fill out paperwork, etc. Next, got all of my labs done and returned to office. Then spent nearly a day at the office meeting with all of the specialists. I had a lab request for a sleep study, ultimately, this required 5 trips to the pulmonologist and an overnight stay.

My advice to people who are self-paying is to plan for this to take 4 months and estimate about 18-24 hours of appointments (including the sleep study). You will also need to chase everything down. People don't follow up like they are supposed to, results don't get faxed to the right place, you think things are being processed but they are languishing in someone's in box.

I still don't have a surgery date. Maybe some time in September? In the end, my hope is that it is all worth it. But had I known how much time this process would take, I would have taken a 2 week summer vacation to relax. This is all very stressful. I still feel good about the Dr. and clinic, but they are not nearly as organized as they believe. I've communicated my concerns to them and they are working hard to correct things. Some of this is out of their control due to errors made by a sleep center. I hope this information is useful to others.

[pacorvalan 0]

I am writing this to help others plan for their surgery. It's August 12 and I started on my journey in mid-May. I am a self pay patient. I have chosen Puget Sound Bariatric Center. The clinic is over an hour away from my house, but has an excellent reputation. I was worried about commute times, but thought I would only have a few pre-op appointments at the clinic per my discussions on the phone with their rep. I have to plan that every appointment will include 3 hours of drive time round trip.

When I first called them, I was told if I completed my tests soon, I would be scheduled for surgery within a month. The initial representative misspoke. Therefore, I wasn't fully prepared for the amount of time it would take to qualify for surgery even though I was self-paying. It takes several months. Unfortunately, I canceled all of my summer plans and now regret that. I wish that clinics would be more accurate in setting expectations.

In June, I met with a Dr. and got my lab orders. The first meeting lasts a few hours because you meet the rest of the team, fill out paperwork, etc. Next, got all of my labs done and returned to office. Then spent nearly a day at the office meeting with all of the specialists. I had a lab request for a sleep study, ultimately, this required 5 trips to the pulmonologist and an overnight stay.

My advice to people who are self-paying is to plan for this to take 4 months and estimate about 18-24 hours of appointments (including the sleep study). You will also need to chase everything down. People don't follow up like they are supposed to, results don't get faxed to the right place, you think things are being processed but they are languishing in someone's in box.

I still don't have a surgery date. Maybe some time in September? In the end, my hope is that it is all worth it. But had I known how much time this process would take, I would have taken a 2 week summer vacation to relax. This is all very stressful. I still feel good about the Dr. and clinic, but they are not nearly as organized as they believe. I've communicated my concerns to them and they are working hard to correct things. Some of this is out of their control due to errors made by a sleep center. I hope this information is useful to others.

Can you please tell my how much is you surgery as self pay?

Thank you

[MT1000 6]

It varies from state to state and by country. I've seen self pay for $8500 in Mexico and up to $22,000 in the US. There is a lot of variation in between. Your local surgeons will provide you with a quote at your first visit.

[geelynn 72]

I live in the Puget Sound area and have seen their commercials--but never knew anyone that when through them for surgery. I'm having mine tomorrow at Virginia Mason and I started the journey in October. Good luck to you!

[cutiecake 178]

I did self pay in Florida, 10,500 covers all costs. Had my first appointment in April. 5 weeks later I had my surgery. No problems at all.

[Pepper123 320]

@@MT1000 its soo true people assumed because its self pay it goes faster...and it should not its you're life and this is major surgery....good luck!!!

[MT1000 6]

Yes! I totally agree. It's about setting the expectations so people can plan. Like most people, I work full time and need to be able to juggle everything in my life. Thanks for your support!

[NewBeginning2014 45]

I had read through these and other forums in my research before making the decision to be sleeved. I hadn't even thought about going to Mexico, or even known that was an option, until doing my research on the sleeve and the process before, during and after. I didn't think self pay would be affordable but it was equal to or less than what my out of pocket would have been through my insurance and a lot less time involved. If the pre op process would have spanned between two calendar years, that number would have doubled, not including the time off work for all of the appointments, etc... Long story short - I decided to get information about surgery in Mexico, made a decision, completed the paperwork, and set a date. Within two months (the date could have been earlier but I had a prior vacation planned) I was on a plane and on my way. Arrived on Wednesday, surgery on Thursday, back to the hotel on Saturday, flew in late Monday, drove two hours home and was at work on Tuesday morning. No problems whatsoever and met several people from all over that were either pre or post op doing the same thing. Now, four months later and 50lbs lighter - couldn't be happier!! It was the best decision I have ever made, my only regret is not doing it sooner.

Whatever choice you make, you have to make the choice to start the process. Good luck to you -

[MeganC 62]

I am also a self pay going to Mexico. I booked my surgery 2 months ago and am going for surgery Sept 8. I could have gone sooner ( as in too weeks after I booked my appt there was a spot) but had to wait till I could book some time off work for recovery. The surgery cost $5000 for everything including flight. I was only asked to make sure to have an extra $500 available incase I have a hernia I need repaired during surgey. So I can be super fast you just need to plan it right

[lilijo 187]

I was self pay in the USA and I think it took 6 weeks from consultation to completion. Only had to do a stress test and EGD pre op.