New: Self-pay questions and FL/GA bariatric centers?

[Just_Kelly 0]

My name is Just_Kelly and I’m on the journey to a healthier me. I’d give you the pre-requisite history but it’s pretty much the same as most people’s so I’ll skip it. I’m working towards losing many things besides just 79 pounds (see header!). I believe in keeping a positive outlook, not beating oneself up, and not being or doing anything crazy.

I’m in the beginning stages of researching lap band. I’m 99.9% sure I will get the lap band procedure, I just have to figure out financing. Which leads to my questions:

· For those who self-pay, what was your total cost?

· What is the average cost of fill appointments/fills?

· Does anyone have any recommendations for bariatric centers in FL or GA?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated! Looking forward to getting to know you all!

[brynnyrk@hotmail.com 0]

Hi Kelly! I was a self pay lap band patient. I was banded in SC. My price was $17,500.00. Includes Dr's pay for surgery, hospital cost, 2 yrs of dr visits and fills. I really enjoy my Dr. His name is Dr Paluzzi out of Seneca SC. I think that after my 2yrs, it is $150 for a fill. I really doubt I'll ever havta get a fill after these 2yrs b/c I am doing so great with my surgery. If you have any question, ask...

[TopTier 0]

I'm self-pay and my total cost is $17,500. That includes all testing, the procedure, the surgeon's fees, the anesthesiologists fees, and 3 years of fills and follow up. It also includes 6 weeks of 5-days-a-week at a local gym, along with a personal trainer.

After that, the fills are $75 in office.

[suzetteherrera 0]

My total cost was $15,000 and it includes 1 year of fills. Check out www.trueresults.com or call 1-800-324-2694. I believe they have a center in Atlanta, Georgia. I had my surgery yesterday, so I still don't have a lot to report. Good luck!

[Just_Kelly 0]

Thank you for your responses, I really apprecaite it. If you don't mind me asking, why did you choose to stay in the US and not go to a surgery center in another country?

[TopTier 0]

I want a doctor that I can reach out and touch from day one. I'm "old school" and am not comfortable with the idea of not being able to follow up with my doctor. I go into it with a "we're partners" mindset.

Fortunately, so does the doctor I've chosen. But it's not just that I wouldn't go to another country to do it, I wouldn't go to a city in another part of the state, either.

It's just whatever one is comfortable with. I like having my doctor within a 15-minute drive.

[melinda_205 0]

Hey, I know that you ask for Ga or Fl, but since Alabama is just a few miles down, I am self pay and the total cost is $12 thousand. I am going in on July 1st and Dr. touliotis (spelled wrong I'm sure) with Advanced Surgeons will be my surgeon. This only covers 6 months of fills, which he seems to think that will be 90% of the fills that I will need, but if you have insurance (it doesnt have to cover the band) fills are the amount of your co pay. If you dont have insurance then fills are still less than $100, which seems to be much less than most that I have seen. I believe there is a doctor in colorado that charges $10,500, and if you want to make the trip it covers fills for 3 months then $15 per fill after that. I considered going to him, but then I thought about how much of an inconvience it would be. Plus by the time you travel that much you would be paying the normal prices anyway. Best of Luck!

[suzetteherrera 0]

I did not want to go out of the country to do it because I did not want to travel for follow ups and fills. Another reason is because I'm keeping this a secret for my family... Only my boyfriend and 4 friends know about it. So, I actually took a cab $12 to the surgery center. That's how close it is. It's only a few miles away 10 minute drive.