Going to Mexico even though I HAVE insurance. Am I crazy?

Here's the story.  I am again (after years of considering) seriously considering WLS as the only option that is going to work for me. WLS is covered under my insurance plan, but I am so eager to have it done that I seriously do not want to jump through whatever hoops they will put me through.  My other major concern is that I do have binge eating disorder, and while I have thought long and hard about this and still believe WLS is a tool that will work for me, I am not sure I will be able to convince my insurance of that fact.

So, I'm considering Mexico (Dr. Quinones, specifically).  Is this nuts, considering that in theory my insurance could pay for me to have it done here (Seattle area)?  I realize I'm in a fortunate position which would allow me to pay for this myself, and am not trying to be frivolous with money, but also am so tired of dealing with obesity and am just ready to get this process started. 

Any thoughts?  Anyone been through something similar?

Most of us struggle with the decision for years. I see a lot of people that, once they decide on surgery, want it done right now, today. They get extremely impatient.

As with most things, I don't think being in a great rush is the best thing. Whether you decide to self pay in Mexico, or go through the insurance process at home, take a breath. Lay out a plan. Study. Read. See a therapist for eating issues. Be really, truly ready, so that when you do have surgery, you will maximize your success. Rushing may not be the best route to your ultimate goal.

go through your insurance and save your cash for a tummy tuck - and if you have that much extra cash, i could use a tummy tuck ;)

 

Explore your binge eating before surgery. That mindset will effect the surgery.

As someone who has BED, I can tell you rushing into surgery is absolutely the worst idea. I've been 420 lbs, I GET the desperation. But let me tell you what happens when you don't have your BED under control - I lost 230 lbs and then proceeded to gain 90lbs back. Very quickly. Even with most of my stomach gone. 

An eating disorder is a very complicated condition and having surgery does NOTHING to stop it. No, I can't eat a large pizza anymore but I can eat a large bag of candy - 4x a day if I want. I can binge on a lot of foods that aren't dense. I can't tell you enough that surgery didn't fix a damn thing for me. And I did my research. Got help. Got into therapy. Did an eating disorder treattment program. Lost 85lbs on my own before surgery and still...I couldn't win. 

Fast forward to now, through the help and miracles of Overeaters anonymous, I've been "binge free" for over 6 months. And if you struggle with BED, you know it's a miracle. I've managed to lose 60/90 lbs. 

In the moment, it seems like quicker is better. In the grand scheme of life, it doesn't take forever to jump through the hoops. And it gives you time to figure out how to arrest your disease. Unless you find a way to get the binge eating under control, and a workable method, WLS is a waste. 

If a doctor in the US denies you for surgery because of your binge eating, it's because they think your health is not in an appropriate place to be successful with surgery. If you go to Mexico, that fact-- that you're not ready for WLS-- will not change.

You'll definitely have to practice patience while losing weight & yeah it sucks having to jump thru insurance hoops but hell you can use that money for plastics if you need it. I was only thinking that getting surgery here in the states would be good for followup appointments & heaven forbid, any complications you'd run into either right after surgery or years down the road.

 

I was going to go to Mexico but now I am self-paying for surgery in Florida and doesn't cost much more than Mexico

Where did you find in Florida that its the same price as in Mexico?