Self Pay-Where did u have it, what was the cost??

[steph_co 9]

You can find doctors in your area through the Lapband website. That's how I found mine when I was first investigating. Then you can call around to ask questions about price and such.

My doctor was Dr Brown in Denver, CO. I paid $10,850 at the time, but his price is now down to $9,900. That includes 3 months of fills post-op.

[FurEllie 0]

The risk for those of us who don't live anywhere near the border between Mexico and the US (ie: those of us in the midwest and the northeast), is that we'll go to Mexico, have the surgery, and then have complications. Personally, it was very important to me to be able to drive to see my surgeon or his team should there be a problem. While I realize that lapband surgery is reasonably simple compared to gastric bypass, no surgery is to be taken lightly. For me to fly to Mexico is a full day on a plane, with at least one stopover along the way. It's a rigorous and tiring day. In case of medical complications, I couldn't risk being that far away from my surgeon and his team.

Which is why it's always advised to get aftercare set up in your town if you go to Mexico.

I had my personal doctor who was set up to take care of any issues I had with the band (and in fact, recommended Dr. Ortiz to me) and when I had other medical problems and had to have my stomach reduced, the WLS department at that hospital said they have no problems taking care of Mexican banded patients.

It seems most of the WLS doctors who say they won't take care of a Mexican patient are in the process of trying to sign up a patient and are in danger of losing that patient to a Mexican Dr. If I ran into a US doctor who told me that I'd walk out the door immediately. There are bad doctors in the US too as well as people who have had all kinds of medical care outside the US. Can you imagine if doctors started refusing to see all those patients??!

[NM Sunshine 1]

i've been researching the benefits and risk of the lapband surgery for a few months and decided to start researching surgeons and hospital... both in the US and Mexico.

the first seminar i attended (which was just this week) left me very depressed. first, the surgeon raved about his 700 gastric bypass surgeries but when someone asked him how many lapband procedures he's done the answer was ZERO. after the seminar i asked one of the coordinators how much the procedure would be for self pay patients. this doctor doesn't DO self pay patients. no research i found ever mentioned that and i felt like i wasted 2 hours of my time.

now i've been researching costs from other hospitals. one hospital quoted me $12,875 all inclusive with $4,400 surgeon fee and $4,000 non medical fees. i asked if the $12,875 included the surgeon and nonmedical fees and she said no. the total cost is $21,275!

so now i continue my search. i'm in cleveland, ohio if anyone has any great references!!

kris

I have a Mexican surgeon, Dr. Gonzales in Tiajuana. He's done many many lap band surgeries. He and his team are friendly and very profesional. I had my surgery last Sep. and return to him for fills. His web address is Lap Band Surgery, more than 2,500 successful procedures.

There's a thread for him here at LapBand Talk. His patients hang out there and is a good place to ask them about their experience. His price is around $7500 which includes everything and all future fills. I fly there to get my fills.

If you don't want to go with Mexico, there is a USA doc in Colorado that his patients love and his price is very fair. He has a thread...his name is Dr. Kirshembaum.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I had my surgery about 5 minutes from my house. Dr. Tersigini lowered his price so people in this area could have the surgery without having to fly anywhere. My surgery was $10,000.00 It's more expensive than Mexico, but I couldn't see myself flying to Mexico for a fill.

[9pdmnm5 0]

Hi! What Dr. Did Your Surgery In Oregon? Thanks!

[Tulip 0]

I used Dr. Spivak in Houston, TX. My surgery was at Park Plaza Hospital.

The self-pay cost was $12,900 and that includes a year of after care and fills as well as support meetings every Tuesday night. Spivak has a wonderful bedside manner and his staff is great. He's one of the best laproscopic surgeons in Houston.

Goo Luck...

Me too, ditto, ditto.

I would highly recommend him and his office staff are wonderful to deal with. If I had my surgery tomorrow, I would still choose Dr. Spivak.

[RavenLunatic 0]

For anyone that had the Lap band surgery, where did you have it, and what was the self pay cost? I am not really to excited about Mexico but would like other options. The hospital near me is 16,000 and I really can't afford that much. Thanks!

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I went to Mexicali, Mexico. And My surgeon, was Dr. Alberto Aceves.

I flew into San Diego from Florida, EVERYTHING ABOUT MY SURGERY EXPERIENCE WAS A 10 !!!!! All the way across the board.

MY cost..was 9,500.00 for EVERYTHING.. except my Airfare, Which i got for 189.00 Round trip. Other than that.. the 9,500.00 COVERED EVERYTHING.. there were NO hidden surprises.

[PRETTYME812 0]

I Did Self Pay, And Paid $16944, Which Was Done Locally. Well Worth It. 4 Days Post Op , No Problem, Feel Great. It Includes 1 Year Of Fills, And Checkup With Doctor. Felt Very Safe And Comfortable With Doctor, Which Is Priceless

[casscitymom 1]

Great Lakes Weight Loss, they were running a special for April/May

$9.900

Everything was Great!

Dr. Laker

Harper Medical Center

::..Great Lakes Weight Loss Surgery - Expert Lap Band and Gastric Bypass Surgeons..::

[larinshine 0]

I am scheduled for the 19th, with Dr. Benevides from Lap Band Solutions. My cost is 15,000 and that includes everything associated with the procedure, plus 2 years of fills. They have several support groups, and part of the required pre-op appointment is sitting down with previous patients for an hour, and then with the doc for an hour. So far, everyone from financing to the surgery center have been incredibly friendly and helpful. I'll let you know more after my procedure.:incazzato:

[bonniep 0]

I was self pay at Lahey Clinic in MA. The cost of the surgery was $16K and that included all pre-and -post op, plus the first 3 fills. I'm very happy with the care I receive at Lahey and for me, the cost was worth it.

[Big B 0]

I am in KC Looking for a lower cost than 17500 for self pay.

Does anyone know about the place in Kansas?

I would be willing to go to Denver or Dallas...but surely prices will need to come down in my area.

Thanks

Big B

by the way..this is my 1st post

got my money lined up and the wife on board...now time to find the right place. Thanks for all your help.

[RavenLunatic 0]

I am in KC Looking for a lower cost than 17500 for self pay.

Does anyone know about the place in Kansas?

I would be willing to go to Denver or Dallas...but surely prices will need to come down in my area.

Thanks

Big B

by the way..this is my 1st post

got my money lined up and the wife on board...now time to find the right place. Thanks for all your help.

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:smile: I chose to have the gastric sleeve.. I LOVE IT !!:crying: I was a self pay, I did TONS. of research, And I chose ((Dr.Alberto Aceves )) in Mexicali, Mexico..

( Just over the border from San Diego, where you would fly into )

He Performs ALL his own surgeries ! And they are done in A FULLY equipped Hospital, NOT an "In and Out - Euro Salon." I paid 9,500.00 And That covered EVERYTHING.. except airfare.. and that Included having my DAD go with me !! ALL pre- and Post testing, Surgeon, Anesthesiologists, Meds, X-rays, food, 1st night at a Resort hotel and 5 nights Stay in a PRIVATE room in the hospital !... EVERYTHING !!:w00t: This was the "SAFEST", Best deal I could find.. If you want... check out my website...

MySpace.com - Randall - 45 - Male - DELTONA, Florida - www.myspace.com/fatboynomore

I have Pictures, And Video i took while there documenting my experience.

I am 6 months post surgery now and have lost over 115lbs !!!:thumbup:

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

______________________________________________________________

I went to Mexicali, Mexico. And My surgeon, was Dr. Alberto Aceves.

I flew into San Diego from Florida, EVERYTHING ABOUT MY SURGERY EXPERIENCE WAS A 10 !!!!! All the way across the board.

MY cost..was 9,500.00 for EVERYTHING.. except my Airfare, Which i got for 189.00 Round trip. Other than that.. the 9,500.00 COVERED EVERYTHING.. there were NO hidden surprises.

Isn't that a sleeve cost? Aren't bands $7K.

I've now had both by Dr. Aceves. Started out with a band and 18 months later decided I wanted a sleeve instead.

I'm with Randy, I can't imagine going to anyone else.

[Fearless55 0]

I have two items, first has anyone got information on Dr Earl Fox. Second, the price is around 14.5k to have it done here in the Tri-Cities of Washington. I see reading the forum that the average is about 16-17K so I feel good about the price. The fact that the insurance is paying 90% is also a great factor.