Please help!! So many decisions! What Michigan surgeons do you recommend and why? What pre-qualifications do they require for a self-payer. How has your experience been pre-surgery and post-surgery?

I'm brand new to all of this and I need lots of advice. My husband and I are very seriously looking at the Lap Bands for both of us. It sounds like a wonderful option if used as a tool appropriately. Mexico surgeons look tempting for cost due to I'm a self-payer. However, if I could find a local surgeon that would be all the better for the whole thing. I'm worried about what you sacrifice in a cost difference from a $5500 surgery to a $17,000 surgery. Any and all help, advice and experience would be greatly appreciated.

If your in the Detroit Location ! I highly Recommend Dr. Jeffrey Genaw out of Henry Ford Main.

He is a Fantastic Surgeon, but he's not that swift on aftercare. "That was 5 1/2 years ago." He might have learned some things by now. But for Surgery ! ! ! I don't know of a better one.

In Mid Michigan I would go see Ernest Cudjoe. I see him for my fills and he to is rated with a Center of Excellence. He's in Claire, but sees people in Midland.

Hurley Bariatric Center in Flint is also a Center of Excellence, and a few of there Dr.'s were trained by Dr. Genaw.

So location here is everything.

Any questions about them, get back and I can help.

Shirley.

The problem with going to Mexico, is trying to get a Dr. to touch you after someone else's work.

I know its tempting, but if you have a good Dr. here, and you need a unfill because your to tight or something, If its done here you go to your Dr. Out of the Country who will touch you ?, Think about that.

Shirley,

Thank you for the response. Were you a self-payer? If so, do you remeber how much it cost? I completely understand about the Mexico thing. I've read that alot about those concerns on here lately. With both my husband and I wanting to get it done together, it can be costly and so we are searching. I'm South of Lansing. I checked into the Lansing surgeon and it sounds like its about $20-$30,000 to get it done there. That's just a quick add when the prices of each part of surgery were thrown loosely at me, i.e hospital cost, anesth., lap band, surgeon, etc. That would be out of range with 2 ($60,000). Do these and most surgeons only serve people from their areas?

$20,000 - $30,000???? OMG, I would totally keep looking around! Even if you had to go out of state within driving distance (3-4 hours) that would still be worth it to me not to pay that much. I'm not in your area (I'm in the Pacific NW) but I was a self-pay patient and I paid a little over $10,000 for everything, including 90 days of all follow up care (including any fills performed in that period). I didn't stay overnight in the hospital, but I could have as long as I checked out within 24 hours of checking in without additional cost (9 am - 9 am, for example). The figures you got sound just insane to me.

I went to a Center of Excellence, and I think as long as you look at those practices (which are rated on number of surgeries performed and their outcomes), you can be confident in the level of care. I have to believe there will be one within an accessible distance of you that would cost less than $20,000-$30,000! Good luck!

Thanks for the reply Amy! I appreciate the advice.

If I were you, I would contact Henry Ford Main in Detroit.

Hurly Bariatric Center in Flint.

Mid Michigan Bariatric Center in Clare. Find out if they have a payment plan, tell them its for both you and your husband.

Find out there prices, and go with what you can. These are all very good places, and with your location your going to do some driving either way.

So call them, and get your information. You can go to Mexico and go to Fill Center usa for your fills, but if you ever need care you still need a surgeon in this state. So your caught in the middle again.

Let me know what you find out.

Shirley.

No I was not self pay.

But if this helps at all I will give you a little info on H.F.

The Canadians come by the BUS full to have the surgery done.

They accept the Canadian Ins., and Canada insists that they come

to Michigan, because of the excellent work thats done.

I had my band done there, and he didn't just put the band around the stomach

and tighten it like a belt. He put it in place and pulled part of the stomach up

threw, and over the band, then stitched it in place to help prevent slippage.

Just a little info for thought.

Another possibility is HAP insurance.

They are across the street from the Hospital. You could purchase the Ins. threw them,

and they would insist on Genaw or Carlin.

It would save you both money, and it covers your fills.

I know because I had HAP

Health Alliance Plan.

It has come along way.....

They are owned by Henry Ford Hospital.

Shirley,

I will check into Henry Ford and see what they say. I will also check into HAP. I will keep you informed. I hope it works!!! We are super excited and anxious to move on with this.

Thanks again!

Google Harperbmi.org. Dr Steven Hendricks will be doing my surgery. Harper Hosp Detroit. Good luck to both of you.