Can anybody give me testimonials about doctors in the New Orleans/Baton Rouge/Lake Charles areas that have done VSG??? And if you were cash paying, how much did it cost you?

Thanks in advance!

Hi there. I'm a Louisiana girl too so I'll be interested to see the responses to this as far as cash price goes. I know that Dr. Merriman in Shreveport costs around $14,500 cash. I talked to a surgeon in OK who used to be in North Louisiana and he said the only docs he knows personally and would recommend in Louisiana are Dr. Hargroder (sp?) and I think the other is Bellanger. They are partners in practice I believe. Anyway, he said they are awesome and have the most experience in Louisiana with sleeves that he knows of.

I personally know someone who used Dr. Bellanger for her surgery. He was the first in the state to do the RNY. She told me that she paid $13K for hers, two years ago.

Dr. Lavin in Covington is an extremely well known surgeon. He is AMAZING. His cash price for the sleeve is $13,500. His website is www.whyweight.com. It is very informative. He also hosts several seminars a month. I recently attended one in Baton Rouge. Attending the seminar alone made me decide to choose him. I am traveling two hours for him to perform my sleeve. You should defeinitely research him.

Cool....I will check it out.

Thanks!

Dr Thomas Borland in New Iberia, Louisiana is highly recommended; cost $9800.00

Dr Thomas Borland in New Iberia, Louisiana is highly recommended; cost $9800.00

You are the second person to mention him and this price to me. I think I am gonna check him out a little bit more! That price is not much more than two of the docs I was looking at in Mexico.

iluvaleo...

Have you been sleeved by Borland? I have a friend who was considering him, but we didn't know of anyone that had gone to him. Can you give me your testimonial if you have?

Thanks!

my bf is getting sleeved in two weeks by Dr Borland, but he knows several ppl that have been sleeved by Dr Borland and they sing his praises. We went for the consultation at the beginning of the week, he was extremely nice. I'll keep you posted. I see you are from Raceland, we are in Morgan City

Dr. Carson Cunningham in Lafayette did my sleeve. Love him. The two Drs that work with him are also great. Dr. Stevens and Dr. Chiu. My price was 13665.

I am going to use Dr. Lavin. He removed my gall bladder several years ago. He is really a nice guy. When you are checking prices make sure to get what it includes. Some may be for just the surgery, while others have follow up and also included sometimes is if there is a problem or complication that will also be covered. Sometimes cheaper isn't always better.

The bf was sleeved yesterday (4/28) by Dr Borland in New Iberia. He is doing great. His surgery was at 9:00 and we were discharged around 6:00pm. The doc does "house calls" (also gives you his home number, pager and cell), so doc came by to check his vitals, etc. Since we do not live in New Iberia, we had to stay in a hotel in the area so the doc could come by. The doc will come back in the morning to check again and send us home. Bf has been doing really good. No nausea, but he did have a hard cough that caused him to gag which made him "throw up" some mucus. Besides for that, he is up walking around, takes his pain med about every 4 to 5 hours which is usually followed by a 2 hour nap each time. Just now he got the hiccups, he said those really hurt! He had back pain and soreness but that is from the surgery. That has been the only real pain he has experienced. Dr Borland is extremely nice, returns his calls and answers however many questions we may have. The staff at the surgerical center is top-notch. The bf's nurse was absolutley amazing, love her!! If anyone is considering Dr Borland, we highly recommend him...very satisfied!:thumbup:

I was sleeved on February 23, 2010 by Dr. Andrew Hargroder at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Gonzales. He also does the surgery at Woman's Hospital in Baton Rouge. I was a revision so mine was a little more expensive. I think it's $15,000.00 without a revision. I had fantastic care at St. Elizabeth's and Dr. Hargroder and his PA did a great job. Andrew Hargroder, M.D.

I was sleeved by Drs. Moore, one of Dr. Lavin's partners, with Louisiana Surgical Specialist. My surgery was $13,600, but this includes a medical policy that covers any problems with your surgery, first year of appointments and one night in the hospital. Drs. Moore is wonderful, she takes a lot of time to answer your questions, and even took the time to talk with my husband who was not to excited about me having sleeve surgery. I am so thankful that I had the medical policy, because I had my surgery Monday, April 26, was released the following afternoon, only to be readmitted Wednesday morning because I had started vomitting. I saw Dr. Lavin, will I was in the hospital and he was very nice as well. So just make sure that you know exactly what you are paying for.

Thank you all for the information. It is very helpful....there is so much to consider besides just the price.

I am also from Raceland and wanting to do VSG surgery. I will look into Dr. Lavin...

Thanks!