I've been seeing lots of folks lately talking about "the great deal" they are getting on their surgery. The talk of, oh my surgeon only charges $X amount, which is cheaper than doctor Y charges.

I don't know why, but this really started to bother me this afternoon. What with all the talk of problems that have suddenly hit our community, with slips and leaks and the E-word, I would think that we would search out the very most qualified, the very best surgeon and aftercare facility that we can possibly find.

I know that I'm so very lucky to have wonderful insurance. I knwo this and I am increadibly thankful for it.

I know that when I was looking for a new sofa I looked for the best one that fit my budget. When I bought my saturn, I bought it used and got a great deal on it. It's 12 years old and I still get 35 mpg with it.

But getting a band isn't like buying a sofa or a car. It is my body and my life. I don't want the cheapest surgeon cutting on me. I don't want the best price available, with frequent flyer miles and a free toaster.

I want the most qualified laproscopic surgical team I can find. I want the best aftercare facilities that I can find.

What is at stake? My health, and possibly my very life. Are you willing to take a cut rate price?

Amen, to that!

I agree 100 % and I was self pay...money was not my biggest concern surgeon qualifications were. I believe you definaltely get what you pay for also.

Excellent post, Vines. I totally agree. I really wish banding would spread more quickly so more people would have access to great, experienced doctors closer to where they are. But it's worth seeking the docs out to get the results we all hope for.

I agree 100%.

I was self-pay, but went to a true expert in VA to get mine done. he and his staff inclusinf ashrink and a dietician took me carefully through the whole process, and are with me every step of the way.

Sure, it was a few bucks, but I"M WORTH IT!

I completely agree with you as well. I did so much research on my surgeon BEFORE I found out that his self-pay price was so reasonable. I'm truly blessed to have a great, well-respected surgeon and I didn't have to pay out the nose for my surgery.

I totally agree with you 100%! Here in Houston, there are alot of ads on TV talking about the LapBand procedure and how it changed their lives and everything else. But I knew it was my decision and how I handled the process was all up to me. I researched the doctors here and when I read of Dr. Spivak, I knew he was the one for me, no question. And when I went to his seminar and talked to the women there that had the surgery by him and aftercare was by him and their success AND his success rate was astounding, I knew I could not go wrong. So, my insurance turned me down and I went to the bank, rolled over my loan and got another $15,000.00 and had the surgery. I know not everyone can do that but I was in the poisition and grabbed hold and never let go. Now, here I am, doing fine and glad I made the choices that I made and that I didn't cut corners just to save some money. I could have taken half of the money and gone to Mexico and used the rest to pay off bills, but I didn't. Would I do it over again? In a heartbeat! Am I happy? Absolutely.

I bargain shop for everything-this was no different

I agree too Vines! When I looked into this I looked around online. Luckily I didn't have to look very far to find the best surgeon possible.

And even though I no longer have insurance, I'd gladly pay her cash out of pocket anyday over someone less experienced or less qualified, even if it was cheaper.

This woman (my surgeon) called my hospital here when I was sick with Pericarditis to see how I was doing, and also offered the attending doctor any info about the band that he needed to know. (She didn't have to do this obviously, but cared enough about me to do so.)

I cannot say enough good things about my surgeon and her qualifications and caring/kind ways. That means more to me than a cheaper way out anyday.

I bargain shop for everything-this was no different

As long as the bargain involves best VALUE for the price, and not just the best PRICE, there's nothing wrong with this approach. Even bargain hunters have to recognize that cheaper doesn't always mean better. And in this case, BETTER can make all the difference.

Due to my variety of complications, I've consulted with more doctors than most bandsters all over the US, Tijuana and Monterey Mexico. Let me tell you, even surgeons that claim to be experienced are clueless to lots of band information and rules that I've learned along the way. Many US doctors are still sending their patients away with no aftercare rules (I KNOW this because I've been contacted by Vegas patients who ask what they're supposed to do now that they're banded.)

LIke the Queen says, this ain't no sofa. Take your time, make a file of research, talk to people that have been banded, go to seminars, read books, look at statistics, share everything you've found with loved ones, and then make your decision.

I don't think someone should just go get banded w/out finding out about thier doctor but for those of us who had to self pay like me, price is very important. I really wanted to have the surgery done by Dr Cribbens who was recommended by my PCP, other people, etc and I really liked him but his office basically refused to give me a breakdown of why it costs 17 grand. With Dr Barker, I knew exactly how much was going to the anesthesia, how much was going to him, etc. I personally don't mind places offering "deals" on the band b/c these band docs are getting paid out the friggin wazoo. Also, even though some docs may not have done as many bands, they are qualified. Like my doc, he has only done a few hundred bands but he does laproscopic RNY and is a highly skilled laproscopic specialist. The point I'm trying to make is do your research, but it's fine to research the "cheaper" doctors. I am just a third year law student but I have been trained in an internship where I am more than qualified to handle law cases a more experiened lawyer might not be, yet I would never be able to get away with charging what some of these lawyers you see on tv do. All in all it is just business and the band docs want to make money, and the patients who have to self pay want to save money. Just do your research, trust your gut, and remember that just b/c a doc is offering a "deal" on self -pay,,, he's probably making it up on way overcharging the insurance companies for people who's insurance pays.

I agree Vines. When I decided to do this I only had one Dr in mind and since others here at worked went with him as well I could not have been more comfortable. I also checked his stats and made sure he was qualified. And since my Ins was picking up some of the tab I just figured like everything else I would make payments.

I went to Mexico for my surgery because of the cost, but the doctor that I chose there was not the cheapest of the bunch. I agree that those of us that self pay do need to look at cost, but that doesn't mean going after the cheapest doctor JUST for that reason.

Anyway, good post Vines. Hopefully it's a thought provoker in a lot of people .