Would you have self paid?

With the proviso "knowing what I know now," yes, I would have gone the self pay route if insurance didn't cover it.  However, I don't think I ever would have been comfortable going to Mexico.  I would have been too concerned that something would go wrong and I'd be stuck in a foreign country.  The cost of self paying for WLS in the U.S. is ridiculous.  

I wrestle with the question of what I'm going to do when I'm ready for plastics.   I know that many people have been very happy with their results from the surgeons in Mexico but it still makes me nervous.  I won't have to make that decision for some time yet, but it's a consideration. 

I already have Dr. Capella picked out for plastics.  Even though I'm not planning on getting them done for 2 years after I reach goal weight unless the need is dire, for some reason.  Hopefully I'll be able to save enough between now and then.  Even if I end up getting a part time job just to save for plastics.  (Although, the idea of working is a lot more palatable to me now than it was 115 pounds ago.  Which seems strange.)

You raise a good point about Mexico. Some American surgeons will not follow a patient who had surgery in Mexico-mine won't unless it is an emergency.

I've considered plastics in Mexico. I don't think I will pursue it though. I think I will find a surgeon here, admittedly pay more, but have access to follow up care without hassle. But that is a way down the road for me.

My out of pocket costs with insurance were more than going to Mexico, so it's almost like I did self pay! 

I self paid my first surgery and even though I stretched my sleeve out and gained almost all the weight back that I lost, I would still have paid knowing what I know now.

I gained knowledge and awareness about how other people keep slim and lean that I never noticed before.  I always thought I could just look at food and gain weight and everyone around me that was not overweight could eat whatever they wanted whenever they wanted.  I only realised when I was post op that

the skinny people:

• eat less than me voluntarily - without having a sleeve
• will eat salads or healthier to plan for a special occasion when they indulge
• eat predominantly fresh foods
• have active lifestyles in general or go to a gym regularly
• can put a bag of crisps back in their cupboard rather than eating the whole bag
• didn't have packets of treats on a daily basis they have them but it really is a treat not a weekly shopping list item

I took responsibility for the fact that I wanted to eat more, drink more, party more and work out less and as a consequence I cut myself some slack and I liked my body better as a big person than I had before.

It made me far more aware of the behaviours I used in relation to food and exercise and better able to assess how to change them (only if I wanted to)

I am not sure if I would have learned all the things I did just by growing up a little in the last 8 years, but I definitely do not regret paying for that growth.

If I was not covered by insurance now for my second surgery - which is costing me $2K in out of pocket expenses.  I would self pay again.  

I self paid in Mexico exactly four months ago today and I would do it again in a heartbeat, even though it means I drive my 98 Jetta for another few years.

I can honestly say I'd beg borrow and steal ( ok maybe not steal) I'd pay double and or triple I'd do what ever i had to do to have my sleeve best move I've ever made!!!!! :-)

♡ Kelly

Absolutely!!  My employer has it excluded.

I did, and would again. Totally worth it!

100% yes. Loans, sell the jewlery- whatever it took.