mnmichelle

I live in Minnesota and found a local doctor for fills/follow up care--also on a self pay basis. i just tried to educate myself by reading/researching online. dr. kuri, his staff, the hospital, the hotel--all really live up to the reviews. it is a major surgery and kind of an ordeal but well worth it. i feel i am getting my life back:wub:

Hi! I had surgery with dr. kuri last september. i am down 39 pounds and consider it overall a great experience. i was also on a self pay basis.....

Hi! I live in Bloomington--close to Edina and Burnsville. I had my surgery done on 09/09/09, also on a self pay basis. I'm going to HCMC for my first fill this Friday......have lost 12 pounds so far. I can see what they mean when they say this is constant work--I am looking forward to the fill because I'm really eating everything now and in large quantities. aaakkk:blushing:

I'm glad you are feeling better mnfarmgirl. i can't believe it but i'm heading to mexico tomorrow. my bmi is 40 so i think that might be why i didn't have a special pre-surgery diet. take care and keep in touch:smile:

i have uhc--i am a uhc employee. it is excluded on my policy. i'm going ahead on a self pay basis. good luck to you:smile:

good luck tomorrow on your fill. let me know how it goes-- :iagree:chicken is important!

great, thanks for the info Ashley. keep in touch:smile:

surgery date 09/09/09--nervous and excited:wink2:

whew, thanks so much! that is a beautiful kitty:kittykay:

thanks WOWOX7. my surgery is scheduled for 09/09/09...your words are comforting and inspirational:rolleyes:

Hi ABECKEL, I decided to go with Dr. Pedro Kuri in Mexico. I did a lot of research and he appears to be highly qualified and competent and of course less $$$. Mexico was out of the question for the first 3 months of my research......but in the end. Anyways, I've contacted several providers regarding after-care, Park Nicollet, HCMC and the Fills Center USA in New Prague will accept patients that have had their surgery out of state. fills center has an annual package that i think is around $1500, the other 2 offer care per "office visit"--no package. I think HCMC is the most reasonable but I couldn't get a final/specific amount per visit from them so I'm kind of winging it. All the communication I had with Dr. Kirshenbaums office was very helpful and by all accounts he is an excellent doctor--good luck to you. let me know how it goes....especially if you find out any more info regarding after-care stuff:rolleyes:

i'm scheduled for surgery with dr. kuri on 09/09. so far his office has been great and answers all my questions....

I'm thinking of going to mexico for surgery. How are you doing now?

I'm glad everything went well for you. I'm also going with Dr. Kirshenbaum-I haven't scheduled yet, I wonder if there is a long wait? How are you feeling now?

all of the hospitals i researched around minnesota wanted to do the sleep study thing too--but that was only when covered by insurance. i'm surprised they're pressing so much on a self-pay client. i'm very nervous to travel out of state for surgery but is a difference of $6k-$10k and i am not independently wealthy:rolleyes: my employer is united healthcare and the healthplan is not very good/excludes a lot---i'm surprised how many people go to mexico!

wow, that is super fast on the surgery! how are you doing now?

Hi, I am contemplating lap-band surgery on a self-pay basis. This buddy idea is great! I live in Minnesota and am thinking about traveling to Colorado for surgery with Dr. Kirshenbaum--anyone else going through this?

i'm thinking of surgery in colorado, self-pay, and i live in minnesota. i contacted fill centers usa in new prague to get an idea of what their "annual package" for aftercare costs. They told me the annual plan is $1372 and includes 6 adjustments and 4 office consults. The initial visit cost is $349 and includes adjustment and program materials (i'm not sure if that is part of the $1372?) subsequent adjustments are $165 and office consults with no adjustment are $85. fluoroscopy is an additional $325-and is recommended for bmi over 45 (i'm at 40). where do you go now? does the $300 include fluoroscopy?

Hi Ronnie, I've been checking out the boards and also find them to be super helpful. I'm pre-surgery and will soon be scheduling with dr. kirshenbaum. I live in Minnesota so will be traveling out of state. I wasn't aware of the liquid diet thing--is this for before and after surgery? Are there special liquids you have to consume?

Hi fellow Minnesotans! I'm getting ready to schedule surgery on a self-pay basis with Dr. Kirshenbaum in Colorado-did anyone else go out of state for surgery?

I too am struggling to get the financing for the surgery with dr k. i was approved through surgeryloans.com but don't know the terms/fees/interest rate yet. Good luck to you:rolleyes:

wls is excluded on the healthplan for all uhc employees. (cheap ba$tards) i am exploring self-pay options. i really appreciate the wealth of information i've found on these forums:cool2: