I don't know if it's an automatic 5 year ban or not, but if you don't tell them, and they some how find out, you run the risk of having to pay back all of your medical expenses on that plan. If I were you I would be honest about the surgery.

P.S. How was your experience in Mexico? I was considering it myself because of my high deductible (10k). How much did you end up paying, including airfare and hotel?

The fact that the insurance company has paid for all of my pre-op testing such as labs, barium swallow, chest xray, ekg, nutrition and psych eval leaves me with my fingers crossed. My surgeon's office filed all of the paperwork for surgery approval last Friday. Have not heard anything so far.... (doesn't help that his bariatric coordinator is on vacation this week) !!! but I can see from the website it's In Progress!!!

Thinking positive thoughts here.