Anyone Self Pay???

[Guest laney]

Can anyone tell me how much the surgery costs in USA???? I live in Illinois....My insurance sucks - GHP - they are denying me with an exclusion policy.

[JanetC 2]

I've seen as low as $10k and as high as 20k... shop around, some of the doctors post their cash prices up front, others say it's case by case.

Good luck!

Janet

[Iluvharleys 15]

Do a search on it, there are lots of posts with this kind of information in them.

[Tricia K. 0]

I was self-pay and was banded by Dr. Thomas Lavin in Mandeville, LA. He's very well-known and well-respected. He's also one of 4 proctors for Inamed, which helped me make my decision to have him as my surgeon.

If you qualify for his low-risk, self-pay option, the cost is $12,900, which covers surgeon fees, the surgical center, the anesthesiologist and 1 year of follow-up/fills.

You can find out more information about him on his website, which is www.whyweight.com or read his patient comments section on obesityhelp.com at http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeon+profile+Thomas+Lavin+fnp.html .

[Jessiebear 2]

I was self pay in Arkansas. I paid $14,000. If you are in the healthcare profession, ask for a professional discount. My surgeon gave me one. Good luck to you!

[Bandster Brad 1]

I self-paid. I think it was $12,500, full boat, no extra's. Even included a year's fills and complete, I MEAN COMPLETE, care for a year. During the first 7 months or so, I have had 10 fills. Based on the idea of paying for fills, that means I would have already been at $15,000 had I gone somewhere else that charges $250 a fill.

I feel like a got a great surgeon, a great support staff, and a great deal. In short, "a low-cost, high quality, new lease on life"

Check out Dr. O. Layton Alldredge in Sandy, UT if you want a low cost, ultra high quality alternative to Mexico. SLC is a Delta hub, and I imagine that at $12,500, its competitive with Mexico. That way, you also get state-side FDA oversight, and Dr's covered by US malpractice insurance, and domestic flight expense if you are not close enough to drive.

Cheers!

[ava 0]

Wow! Brad got the deal of the century there. It would be worth a trip to UT for that price and that value. I self-paid in WI and it was $18K for all hospital and clinic fees plus lots of pre- and post-op visits/support/fills included. I get a year of nutritionist visits (actually, she's watching me like a hawk!), my fills for a year, my surgeon visits 90 days, and a free monthly support group. Regardless of the price, I feel like I got a great deal. I love my "team" and feel like they're always available for me. My experience has been very positive. (Plus, the clinic is walking distance from my office! Perk!!)

[piercedqt78 658]

Dr. Pleatman in MI has a great set rate, he is a member here so I am sure you can find more about him if you do a search. ~Mandy

[PhotoNut 7]

Just today, I handed over checks in the amount of $11,000 to the hospital and $8,500 to my surgeon. $19,500.. but wait! There's more:

psychologist evaluation - $ 400

nutritional counseling - $ 100

sleep study - $3,622

CPAP machine - $1,350

pulminologist exam - $ 263

blood work, EKG, chest X-rays, primary care visits - unknown yet

Have I sat up at night thinking how much this money could help my family with debt and other important things? Yep. Have I felt guilty spending this money on me when I -should- be able to control myself and eat like a "normal" person. Oh yes. But I have a loving family who insists that having me healthy, happy, and around for a lot more years is what they all want. So my meager savings account is empty again and here I sit wondering what life is going to be like after Monday when I cross over to the "other side" and enter band land.

[JenPea 0]

Here in utah it's $12,900 with the first year of fill included.

jen