hopetobebanded

Also, the lap-band itself costs approximately $3000.00 so you have to add that into the figure.

Hi...I am having surgery with Dr. Pleatman in Michigan and so is my friend. We are leaving tomorrow morning and our surgery is scheduled for this Friday! Both my friend and I had lengthy conversations with him and he was very nice. He asked us both lots of questions and we did the same. We have been dealing mainly with Jo who I believe is the schedule coordinator and she has been wonderful. We were told to bring a check for the doctor, the hospital fee and the anesthesiologist. Everything totals $12,500. I will let you know how we make out.

I am so excited and nervous. I am flying to Michigan on Wednesday morning and I have surgery scheduled on Friday at 10:00 am. Dr. Pleatman will be my surgeon. I can't believe the day is coming, I never thought it ever would!!! Thanks to everyone here who has given me the courage! Without hearing everyones experiences I don't think I would have come this far!

I have heard several people mention that they have taken Gas X right after surgery for the gas pain experienced. I have only seen them in capsule form. Is this ok for the band? I am just trying to get everything together before the big day!! July 22nd!!! Thank you.

Hello....I have been researching this site now for at least six months and my date is scheduled!!! I am a self-pay since BCBS FL does not cover WLS PERIOD!! I was going to have surgery in Mexico with Dr. Ortiz but then decided to have surgery done by Dr. Mark Pleatman in Michigan! His price was affordable for me and closer to home. My friend and I (seekingtheband) scheduled our surgery for July 22nd!!! We have to fly up there on the 20th and will fly home on the 28th. I had a phone consultation with him and will have my first appointment on the 20th, then go to the seminar and preop next day....then the big day, surgery on Friday the 22nd and then a few days to relax. I have the nervous butterflies but I am confident in my choice of surgeon and type of surgery. It feels so weird to post MY SURGERY DATE since I have been looking forward to this for so long. I am so happy to be here!!

How exciting!!! I can't wait! Where are you having it done?

Hi everyone....I live in Naples, FL and was researching Dr. Pleatman. I see that he will do the band for $12500.00 with after care and fills for 2 years. If possible, would you please post your experience with him, the anestesiologist and the hospital staff? I was going to go to Mexico, in fact I have a date but came across his name and homepage and thought wow. Just $3000.00 more and I can have this done in the US!! Any input would be so much appreciated. Good and bad (if any).

My friend/co-worker and I are both scheduled for 7/29/05 with Dr. Ortiz. I thank you too for putting my mind at ease!!!

Nothing to write home about! There were two ladies...one who had gastric bypass and the other had the lap-band. They didn't get into how the band works at all. They basically just talked about how their lives have changed. Not informative at all. In fact they were on for maybe 5 minutes. P.S. I thought that Starr Jones had the gastric bypass!!! I am 99.9% sure she did. They had mentioned it a while ago.

Thank you everyone. I appreciate it. I think I will be going with Dr. Ortiz in Mexico and follow up with Dr. Gomez in Coral Gables, near Miami. I set the date for August 12th my friend will be having it too so this looks like the route we are going.

If you were a self-pay and had surgery in FL can you email me with what you paid and who the surgeon was? I was all set to have Dr. Ortiz do the surgery but I am having second thoughts for no real reason other then the inconvenience of travelling, taking time from work (me and my husband) etc.... I just have to see for my own peace of mind if there are other options that are affordable. Thank you so much!!!!!

I completely know what you are going through. I was terrified of telling my mom especially since I will be going out of the country (Mexico). My mom completely freaked out but then surprisingly she warmed up to the idea. She now tells me "I want you to feel good about yourself and your health is so important". She now supports me in my decision and offered to come with me if my husband can't. Just give your mom some time to warm up to the idea. Just remember...your health and happiness are so important especially when people bring you down. Best wishes!

I have met Dr. Szomstein and Dr. Rosenthal both last year for a consultation (before BCBS FL stopped paying for WLS) I thought they were great. I would love to go with them but the price was pretty high for a cash patient. Go luck to you! It's a wonderful place over there!

Would any of you mind checking out how much Dr. Rubenstein charges patients that would be paying cash? I am seriously considering Mexico but I used to live in East Moriches, NY and I visit family often there so I was just wondering. Thanks so much.

Thanks for the reply. I will have to see how much he charges! Good for you though. What an awesome deal!! Take care.

Has anyone paid cash for the surgery? I see a couple of you guys have been to Dr. Rubenstein in Riverhead and my mother-in-law was going to see him? Were you happy with everything? Thanks.

I have been seriously considering the band now for about one year. I have Aetna insurance and apparently they do not cover the band only the bypass surgery. I know for sure I want the band and I am pretty sure I want Dr. Ortiz in Mexico to do it. However...I do have a big question...What if by chance a mistake is made and something was punctured? Suppose you need more surgery to fix the problem? What would you do in this case? Would he take responsibility for it? Even though he has a great reputation as do other doctors, what do people do in this situation? When you have insurance that covers this type of surgery at least you know that you wouldn't be paying for this mistake for the rest of your life unlike being a cash patient. This is the only major sticking point with me. Let's face it. Accidents do happen. Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.