How much did you pay as a self-pay?

[staceybea 0]

When will insurance companies and employers ever realize that it costs them more to pay for our obesity related diseases and health issues??? So sad! I hope everything works out for your mom!

[Jenny A. 1]

I live in San Francisco, so mine was a bit more expensive. My insurance covers WLS but I didn't want to have to jump through all the hoops to get there. I paid $16,000 for everything (labs, psych eval, x-rays, etc.). I think it's so worth it though. Have you considered taking out a loan?

[FlyGirl 18]

Thanks for your input everyone!

Mom has decied to get it done in Mexico with dr. Ponce de leon.. Her cost is going to be $4500 and she already has her date set, Oct 14 2011!! I'm so happy for her (but nervous too). I've read many stories of everyones experience and while it is scary to think of getting surgery done in MX , I think everything will be just fine.

[ldydrgnkpr 49]

Good Luck to your mom. Keep us posted!!!!

Deb

[Helen the Cat 42]

I had my surgery done in Tijuana in June of this year with Dr. Rodriguez. It was $6900.00, all inclusive, except the round trip air fare. (Had to make a $500.00 down payment to secure a surgery date.) We were picked up at the airport in San Diego, transported to a nice hotel several blocks from the INT hospital, then transported to the hospital for blood work and EKG. Then back to the hotel. The Dr. met with us the evening before surgery for a general discussion/question and answer session. Then the next morning we were transported back to the hospital. I was second of three surgeries that day (it was a Saturday). Stayed overnight Saturday and Sunday nights, and Monday transported back to San Diego. We elected to stay in San Diego for several more days to assure that there were no complications. Our van driver drove everyone to the airport, and we were prepared to take a cab to our hotel from the airport, but the driver said "Don't waste your money, I will take you." So he drove us to our hotel. We flew home three days later, and have been doing well ever since. I had some concerns with the hospital and it's procedures, but in the end, everything worked out well. (I am a nurse, so I noticed several things that I don't think a lay person would notice that gave me cause for concern.) If you want to know more about the things I had concerns about, feel free to contact me and I will elaborate.

[christin 54]

My insurance also has a WLS exclusion. I have chosen Dr. Marema in St. Augustine, FL and the cash pay is $18,000 which includes BLIS insurance for complications. The insurance was important to me being a self-pay (just in case). It is a little more expensive, but he has a really awesome reputation and he does the surgery with only one incision in the belly button.

I have some cash saved up, will max out my 2012 flexible spending account at work, and will put the rest on a low interest rate credit card. I have to wait until early 2012 to have my surgery so I can use the flex account.

[ER New 2]

Hiello, my Dr was also Ponce de leon.

i am mexican and live here in Tijuana, and all of my Drs recommended him over all others mentioned, Dr Ponce is not the cheepest but per everyone who did my pre-op test, he is the best. I had my surgery at Angeles hospital, which is more expensive, but if anything did happen my insirance would cover complications there, not at the clinic. Insurance here does not cover WLS.

I have lost 50 lbs since june.

If you have any question please let me know, from all the posts here your mom is the other patient of his that I know of !!!!

[NtvTxn 1,262]

Dr. James Davidson in Dallas, $11,000, and that covers all visits up to one year. The only additional cost I had was the stress test pre-op. ($300) Insurance will cover that, but mine would go straight towards my deductable, and it wasn't worth it. Cash pay got a pretty substancial discount. Surgery was at Forest Park Medical Center....the Hilton of private hospitals. Top notch care, a nurse assigned to me at each shift. I had a hernia that was discovered, he repaired it and it did not cost extra. I give Dr. Davidson two thumbs up. Also, he has been listed as a "Top Doc" in the Dallas area for years.

[PhatGurl80 26]

$5000 for Dr Garcia in Tijuana. My surgery is on Wednesday.

[ATLGirl 134]

I have never heard of Dr. Ponce and Dr. Garcia. Please share your experiences with these docs so othehr newbies can know their records. Though Dr. Kelly was my doc and I am happy. I am not sure, with his recent death, if I would choose him again.

[ER New 2]

Hello...

My experience with Dr Ponce is wonderfull.

Like I said I live in Tijuana and have arthritis, so because of that I started looking into the sleeve, I Have 3 different Doctors here in the city and all recommended him. They all agreed that most Drs that do the sleeve in Tijuana dont have accurate data because most operate on US citizens that leave after surgey so it is hard to have success rates, very few post op consults.

My Dr literally said "think of all the questions you have, I will wait...no hurry". After 3months I go and he remembers my name, I have his cell number. My nut even said he has had patients from several other Drs and Dr Ponce's patients are better in the sense tthat the stomach can tolerate all kinds of food, which in many cases is determined by the type of stapple used.

Again if anyone wants more info...feel free !!

[Lissa 2,631]

I paid $12,500 in Sebastian, FL. I love my surgeon and the hospital!!

[thinoneday 445]

$15,500.00 here in San Antonio

[indy sleever 6]

I expected to be self pay as I was initially denied coverage from my insurance company. The cost in Indianapolis, IN $20,000 + the surgeons fee of about $5000. Luckily I ended up getting approved. I am shocked to read that from all these posts this is the most expensive I have seen. Good luck! Sounds like a lot of people have had excellent experiences in Mexico... maybe that would be a good alternative.

[Janese58 11]

I went to Dr Ramos Kelly. He was awesome. I loved the hospital and the hotel we went to after. I would do it again in a heartbeat. It costs $5500.00 at that time. It has gone up a couple hundred since then.