to all the self pay people

[pebbles430 0]

hello, i am going to be a self pay for lap band surgery...and i was curious...do patients have to just thru as many hoops if they are self paying? such as tests, history, etc?

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Your surgeon may require additional tests, data, etc but generally no.

[thesuse2000 698]

I got mine done at the OCC in Mexico with Dr. Ortiz. I had to fill out some forms and do a pre-op diet - but it was only about a month between my first contact with them and my surgery - very fast!! And affordable - and he's one of the best lap band surgeons in the world.

I have no idea what the process is like in the states, but it definitely costs at least twice as much.

Good luck!

[Kalipso2 25]

i was banded in april 2008 and i was self pay.

my surgeon was 4 hours away from home so i was able to get all my testing done in one day instead of multiple visits. i met with the surgeon and the nutritionist during my initial consultation and the blood test, EKG and mandatory 2 hour nutrition class a week later.

i had my surgery within 30 days of my initial consultation! i did still have to follow the 2-week liquid diet prior to surgery but i didn't have to do a 6 month diet or show proof that i've tried other methods of weight loss.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Actually there's a doc in aurora co who does the surgery for I think 9500...there are competitive US surgeons.

[MissMom24 2]

I was self pay with Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver. I had no hoops to jump through. I made my appointment and surgery was 5 weeks later.

[divorceattorney 0]

I was self pay with Dr. Chau in New Jersey. I had surgery three weeks after my initial consultation. I met with the Dr. & nutritionist on August 13th, had my pre-admission testing on August 19th & had surgery on September 5th. The hospital wrote on their charts that this was "cosmetic surgery" which it absolutely was not - but they required their full payment of $8000 at the pre-admission testing date. The surgeon charged $5500 for his fees (reduced for cash pay - usually $7000.) I am waiting for the anesthesiologist bill. I was told that should be about $2000. I am hoping that I don't get any other bill for the meds I enjoyed in the hospital for my 1 overnight stay Altogether, I was charged about $16,000. I was not placed on a liquid diet (I had a 43 BMI and was told that liquid diets are advised for those with a 50 BMI.)

I am happy with my decision although it really is a huge expense. It is the first thing I have done just for me in a long time.

Enjoy your journey.

Amanda

Surgery date: September 5, 2008

Weight Loss: 8 1/2 pounds (it has been just one week!)

Goal Loss: 100 pounds (91 1/2 to go)

[Totallytater 1]

Another patient of Dr Kirshenbaum here. No pre-testing. Just one trip to Denver is all it takes.

[allymb22282 0]

I am also One of Dr. Kirshenbaums patients. I am having surgery Nov. 19th. No tests, just phone consults with Dr. K and the nutritionist. And a pre-op appointment the day before surgery. No hoops at all. Plus the 9950 price was great for me. Considering the costs of cash pays across the country.

[Michee 2]

Self Pay = No Hoops

3 weeks from initial consult to surgery.

Had to get some basic blood work and a preop form from my GP.

Money Talks

[MacMadame 81]

There are a lot less hoops if you self-pay but there are still hoops. I had to do a nutritional consult, a psych eval, an EKG, an Upper GI, a Cardiac Stress Test, labs and a physical. The physical usually includes a PAP and Mammogram but I had them done less than a year ago so they accepted those instead of demanding new ones. What tests you get depends on your pre-op symptoms. I probably didn't really need the Stress Test as it turns out.

But no 3, 6 or 12 month diet, no classes, no documentation of 2 - 5 years of weights, no having to submit a list co-morbidities and other documentation of medical necessity, etc. I could have had surgery 2-3 weeks after my first surgical consult if I'd wanted to.

[pebbles430 0]

tarheel....when you had to get fills, did you go back to colorado? or find a fill doctor closer to where you live?