Self Pay Cost in Houston TX

[judyk 9]

Good news is I have started the process to be sleeved. I am considering Dr. Robert Davis, Dr. Vadim Sherman and the New Start Program at Memorial Hospital Houston. I have consultations scheduled starting next week.

Can anyone give me an estimate of the cost for surgery from these doctors? I know it can vary but I need some idea of the cost. I am self pay since my BMI is lower than 35.

Thanks all.

[rdavis2526 4]

Sorry I can't tell u what the self pay is but I can say that he (Dr. Robert Davis) is doing my gastric bypass. I have my 2nd of 3 nutritional appointment on Wednesday. I am looking forward to going through this process for a better healthier life.

[vdub_tx 92]

I'm self pay in Houston but I'm not using those particular doctors. They should be able to give you a cash price at your consultation. Mine went over all my options at that time. I can tell you that the cash price for my doc was $12,400 but reduced to $8,100 because they found a hiatal hernia, so my insurance will be subsidizing the surgery. However, there is a HUGE variance between doctors in Houston. Even down to what specific hospital you use. That was actually the biggest cost variance in my surgery.

[woo woo 872]

Not sure of the prices for those specific docs, but I did find that selfpay in Houston ranges from around 7500 up to around 12k and beyond.

[Melodica 64]

Woo woo, do you happen to know which doc is $7500? I'm looking at options anywhere within an 11 hour drive of Birmingham, AL. Best two I've found so far are $9800 in Louisiana and $10500 in Florida. If there's cheaper in Houston, I'd definitely be interested.

[woo woo 872]

It might be dr. Singh in Tomball which is near Houston, but not 100 pct sure... there is a blog floating around that I saw it on, along with a bunch of other self pay prices... I will look for a link, or if anyone else has it maybe they will post it here

[woo woo 872]

OK found it its http://selfpaysleeve.blogspot.com

[Melodica 64]

Seems that a few of those prices are off. The SURGEON'S price might be ~7k, but the hospitals are a lot more. Ridiculous that the majority of the cost is the hospital!

[vdub_tx 92]

Oh yes, the hospital is by far the most expensive of any of the costs!

[woo woo 872]

Seems that a few of those prices are off. The SURGEON'S price might be ~7k, but the hospitals are a lot more. Ridiculous that the majority of the cost is the hospital!

You might consider calling and checking that out.

There are several private surgical centers in Texas, which are doctor-owned facilities rather than full-blown hospitals -- this is one of the main reasons that the prices are so much lower than most other states.

Another benefit is the fact that there are not a bunch of sick people in them like you get with a regular hospital...

Eta: I have also heard several people on this board mention having used a Louisiana doc that was like 8k total for everything. I can't recall the name.

Edited February 5, 2014 by woo woo

[Melodica 64]

Seems that a few of those prices are off. The SURGEON'S price might be ~7k, but the hospitals are a lot more. Ridiculous that the majority of the cost is the hospital!

You might consider calling and checking that out.

There are several private surgical centers in Texas, which are doctor-owned facilities rather than full-blown hospitals -- this is one of the main reasons that the prices are so much lower than most other states.

Another benefit is the fact that there are not a bunch of sick people in them like you get with a regular hospital...

I actually did call Dr. Singh and the lady told me that the doctor's price was 7k - the rest depends on the hospital you choose.

[vdub_tx 92]

The difference in hospitals is enormous. Because I'm self pay, I was able to choose and it was thousands of dollars worth of difference. My surgeon charges $4,000 and then the rest is made up of hospital fees, anesthesia, etc. Luckily, the hospital that was most cost effective for me also is the hospital that is the Bariatric Center of Excellence, so I was very happy with that.

[Lasargento21 1]

I'm self pay in Houston but I'm not using those particular doctors. They should be able to give you a cash price at your consultation. Mine went over all my options at that time. I can tell you that the cash price for my doc was $12,400 but reduced to $8,100 because they found a hiatal hernia, so my insurance will be subsidizing the surgery. However, there is a HUGE variance between doctors in Houston. Even down to what specific hospital you use. That was actually the biggest cost variance in my surgery.

[Lasargento21 1]

Do you have that doctor's information? Do you know if they accepted Medicare plans in addition to self pay?

[Lasargento21 1]

I'm self pay in Houston but I'm not using those particular doctors. They should be able to give you a cash price at your consultation. Mine went over all my options at that time. I can tell you that the cash price for my doc was $12,400 but reduced to $8,100 because they found a hiatal hernia, so my insurance will be subsidizing the surgery. However, there is a HUGE variance between doctors in Houston. Even down to what specific hospital you use. That was actually the biggest cost variance in my surgery.

Which doctor did that for you? I have GERD and Haitial hernia as well.

Edited February 23, 2016 by Lasargento21