Self Pay Help

July 5, 2004

Well, I haven't had any luck with anyone answering my last two threads. Hopefully, someone will answer this one. I am looking for info on MDs that offer a good package deal, including aftercare and fills. I would like to hear from anyone who has had any experience in this area. It looks like I am going to have to go the "self pay" route. I am looking for surgeons in the US first, and then possibly Mexico. Thanks so much for any advice you can provide.

Sincerely,

Lisa in NOLA

baileymb · July 5, 2004

Hi Lisa,

I was not a self pay so I can not answer, I am suprised that no one else has because there have been quite a few on here that have traveled to Mexico. I would chalk it up to the holiday and wait a few more days. This board is by far the best out there!

Hope you had a happy 4th!

Baileym

__________

June 14th

Penni60 · July 5, 2004

Lisa: I have read your two other posts but can only offer my input as to Mexico docs and only one of those. So, I wasn't really confident in responding.

I went to Sanoviv Medical Institute www.sanoviv.com in Rosarito, Mexico and was banded by Dr. Lopez. His after care in my experience leaves ALOT to be desired. I am doing my follow up care now with a surgeon in Ventura, CA which is about an hour from me.

I don't know of any surgeons that offer a package deal but that doesn't mean they aren't out there. The only thing I would suggest is to get some names from banded people and call the office and see what they can do for you.

Lopez' charge was $13,550 for the surgery. So far I have not been charged for an office visit of which I have had one so far.

Donali might be able to shed some light on this matter more since she was banded by him longer than I have been.

I do have a list of Los Angeles, CA area surgeons but since you live in New Orleans, LA that list might not be what you want. I too was self pay. I wanted to get the surgery done and not have to wait on the insurance to cover it.

Hope this helps.

La_madam · July 5, 2004

Dr Ortiz has a package deal it includes accomodations at the Lucerna hotel for 2 mnghts and 1-2 nights at the hospital that includes your spouse or traveling companion. He charges 100 for fills ..most of the mexica ndoctors offer package deals.

Alexandra · July 5, 2004

Lisa, a good resource might be Inamed themselves. They can get you a list of doctors in any given location, and of course any doctor will be able to quote you their self-pay price (which is going to be different than what they charge insurers).

You are asking for information from what is probably the smallest percentage of banded patients out there: self-pay patients using U.S. doctors. You will get lots of feedback from patients who have been to Mexico, but less from U.S. self-pays.

donali · July 6, 2004

Hi Lisa -

I didn't respond, because I don't keep up with doctor/insurance threads.

There is a Yahoo! group called Mexicanbandsters, they could probably give you a wider base of info.

The most popular docs in TJ seem to be Dr. Kuri, Dr. Lopez and Dr. Ortiz. I have to agree with the comment re: Dr. Lopez's aftercare - I have yet to see improvement in that area as recently as last week.

Of the three, it sounds as though Dr. Kuri is the most reachable. I have heard concerns about the facilities he uses, but not him as a surgeon or caregiver. I also think his prices tend to be a little less.

Dr. Raumbaut in Monterrey is also very popular. I'm sorry I don't have any info on any of the packages offered, but do believe they all offer something. You can probably get the best deal from contacting the doctor's office itself.

Sorry this is probably not much help. Good luck to you!

Neicy · July 6, 2004

Hi Lisa,

I just got back from vacation and just read your post from yesterday and answered it! We are in the same boat together and practically neighbors! I was banded 5 weeks ago in Monterrey. My insurance excluded bariatric surgery. Besides, most insurers want you to have a BMI of 40 or greater to be elligible for coverage, and have a bunch of c0-morbidities to go along with it!

I was very pleased with the treatment that I recieved from Dr. Rumbaut and his associates, and impressed with his credentials and skills. Let me know if I can help you in any way. Denise

hagerteresa · July 6, 2004

I too used Dr. Lopez in Tijuana. I thought his surgical skills were good but can't vouch for his after care. I live so far from Mexico I wanted to find a more local doctor to take care of my needs after surgery. When I was looking at doctors and doing searches I found a few that had package deals including fills later on. Just keep searching. My surgery with Dr. Lopez was $9000 and included 2 nights in the hotel and 2 nights in the hospital, airport pickup in San Diego, all presurgery tests, etc. I used www.belighter.com and they helped me arrange everything. Good luck, Teresa