Dr. Benavides/ Private Pay Questions

April 18, 2009

Hi

I am scheduled to have my surgery on April 30, at the Richardson Surgery Center with Dr. Benavides. I went in on April 16 for the intial consult and I am already scheduled for surgery, so I am very excited but also overwhelmed! I am going to be a private pay pt (15,000.00) and am nervous about spending this much money etc... I have a few questions that I am hoping someone may be able to answer.

1. Has anyone been a private pay patient with Dr. Benavides or the True Results Richardson Surgery Center? If so, have you had a good experience...

2. Is 15,000.00 too much (I have searched on the web and it seems prices vary- 10,000 for 4 fills to 19,000 etc..)

3. They do not do their fills under fluoroscopy unless there is a problem that they need to check on, is this ok?

4. They said that I would have unlimited fills and after care for 12 months, but then I read a form that indicated I would only have 10 covered visits ( I have emailed the patient advocate for more information)- but am wondering if 15,000 for the procedure plus 10 visits is normal/appropriate pricing etc..

My Stats: I am 29, 5' and currently about 208.. I am dying to get to 115, but would be deliriously happy to be under 140 again=).

maddy · April 18, 2009

Hi 1980

I had my surgery done in Plano texas at TLC edge, was self pay at $9990 with 6 months fills, no flouroscopy, though, in April 2008.

By going thru TLC I paid $9990 w/6 months fills.

Going directly with the very same doctor was $15000 w/1 year fills.

Ive found doctors can be tricky and higher priced than companies, be careful. Your smart to do your homework and it could save you big bucks. I went with the cheapest banding I could find, all I could afford, and had wonderful doc in brand new surgery center/hospital 1st floor. So cheap isnt always bad!!

No flouro fills was fine for me until 6cc-7cc and I had to go to Docs office for flouro and more doc/patient customer service, but in no waydid it diminish service of TLC. When I went back to doctor David Kims office in Colleyville, this fill cost my insurance $220/fill, but this is just what i need now a year out. Dr. Kims office is super customer oriented and listen to me in that now I just want to go up 2cc a visit, no more. TLC had rushed me a bit much w/fills, which was fine the 1st year, but tweaking band has been a little challenging now as it can become really tight. Still working on sweet spot, but will get there soon!

Im very happy with TLC and my doctor, wouldnt change a thing :tt1:

pm if you like Ill be happy to give any info from TLC.

maddy

surgery 4/08

H 5"5

HW 205

C 170

G 145

Edited April 18, 2009 by maddy

ParrotheadCathy · April 18, 2009

I went through True Results in Atlanta, GA with Dr. Hart. I too was self-pay. I paid $15,000 for surgery and aftercare. The $15,000 includes 10 fills during the first year post-surgery. After that, they are (I believe) $125. This is across the board with True Results so far as I know. I could possibly have gotten the surgery cheaper but I would have had to travel and I wanted the security of my surgeon being a phone call and a short drive away. I paid a good portion of my surgery fees in cash but I did finance part of it through Care Credit. You can apply for Care Credit or medical financing through Capital One from the True Results website.

No fluroscopy for fills? Frankly, unless they have a problem, I think that's an expensive frill. The two physicians assistants at TR in Atlanta have each done one fill for me. Both times, they hit the mark with no poking or prodding and the entire process was done in less than 2 minutes.

PharmaGirl · April 19, 2009

Can't comment on any of the questions you ask (as I'm in Australia where the health care system is very different). However, I'd like to congratulate you on your date.

There's a forum for all the April bandster's HERE - in case you'd like to share experiences with others of us being banded at around the same time. It's a wonderful place for support.

Also, you've been added to the list of April bandsters HERE.

April 19, 2009

Hi Maddy and ParrotheadCathy

Thank you both for your advice and congratulations on your weightloss! I checked out the TLC website and it is still 9990, so it is great to know that may be an option. It is also great to know that 15,000 and 10 fills is accross the board from True Results. I have heard really fabulous things about Dr. Benavides and I really liked their staff so it may be worth the extra 5,000.00 (yikes!) for peace of mind. Thank you both for the advice!

Edited April 19, 2009 by 1980