Getting surgery....weighing Mexico vs. US and looking for info from those who were self pay in the states.

What's it cost and what was your experience? SCObesity center in Lexington seems like the best choice for me due to location but I have not found their costs yet.

Who has something to offer?

Hi

My name is Sharon and I had a consult with Dr.Givens back in March. He works out of Lexington Medical Center. I was quoted a price of 18,000 for the lap band that includes 4 adjustments. I hope this helps. I am still battling with my insurance company. They will not pay for me to have surgery at Lexington Medical center but they might if I go to Huntsville Alabama.

Sharon

Ouch...was that a self pay price or insurance price.

I am at the point that medical care in America seems hopeless due to costs involved and I don't think I want to jump through all the hoops to even try to get my insurance involved....although I am pretty sure they do not pay.

Mexico is looking better and better I guess....I just wanted to avoid aftercare headaches.

If you're willing to travel to Louisiana, my surgeon, Dr. Thomas Lavin, has a self-pay package price of $12,900, which covers surgeon, 23-hour hospital stay, anesthesiologist and 1 year of follow-up care/fills. His web address is www.whyweight.com. I would recommend him to ANYONE!!

Thanks Tricia.

I checked their site and they list a lot of possible fees etc that you may run into including a psych eval etc.

What was your actual cost out the door of your surgery if you don't mind me asking.

Thanks Tricia.

I checked their site and they list a lot of possible fees etc that you may run into including a psych eval etc.

What was your actual cost out the door of your surgery if you don't mind me asking.

You're very welcome. The initial consultation is $125 and the psych evaluation is $50. The other testing should be covered by your insurance. They code the papers so that your insurance will cover it.

My total cost for surgery and testing was $13,075.

There is a in seneca south carolina that the total cost is 18,500 that is for all the office visits, surgery,band, 2 years of fills, and visit with the nut. the psyc eval was like 150 i think....his name was Dr Hughes and Dr Paluzzi...I didnt get to have the surgery b/c 4 days before my surgery date i found out i was pregnant...I was excited to be pregnant but a little upset b/c i didnt get my surgery first and to top it off Dr Jaime Ponce was coming up for my surgery..but i have a beautiful little girl now that iw oldnt take anythin gin the world for best of luck...i am still searching for a dr to take medicaid...

KB

I had mine done by Dr. Sanchez in Monterrey Mexico as have lots of people on here. Mine was 8500.00 and free fills for life. He's done more than anyone in the world that I've researched. He's done over 7000. I've had no problems. I see a fill doctor in Cinci which isn't far from you and he's the best too as far as I'm concerned, he's done thousands as well. He's the Dr. C that answers all of our questions on here. He is wonderful if your looking for someone as well to do your surgery. I'm not sure on his cost but he's good. Here's is website www.thebanddoctor.com

Hope this helps.

Hi everyone, can you give some feed back? Obviously I'm new, haven't had the procedure done. I've attended a support group in Savannah, GA. This is a requirement. Can anyone tell me If you MUST eat your Protein first , and how do you NOT drink while you are eating?? Isn't that hard?? This is what I found out from the support group. For anyone that has been banded in Mexico, can you tell me why? are the dr's better there, cheaper, etc??? Would many doc's take you on as a patient even though you had your surgery elsewhere?? How about Canada? Has anyone been there for the lap band? I am a self pay so if I can save money going out of the country -- great..

Thank you

Hi. I flew from Charlotte to Denver for surgery with Dr. Kirshenbaum in Aurora, CO. His price is $9950 including everything. You do a phone consult with him and a nutritionist before the surgery (included in the price), so you only have to go to Denver once. His fills are free for 3 months, then they are $15 each. I used to fly back and forth to him for my fills, but now I go to the fillcenters usa location in Denver NC. The fills are only $150 (the first one is $350). Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.

Ouch...was that a self pay price or insurance price.

I am at the point that medical care in America seems hopeless due to costs involved and I don't think I want to jump through all the hoops to even try to get my insurance involved....although I am pretty sure they do not pay.

Mexico is looking better and better I guess....I just wanted to avoid aftercare headaches.

I went to Palmetto Baptist in downtown Columbia, Dr. Benjamen Tribble, He is awesome. I was a self pay, his fee for me was $1,500.00 (him), Hospital, including 1 night stay was 12,000.00 including anesthesia TOTAL, and their "clinic fee is $500.00. ( for Nut, Psy, and weight consultant), $250.00 at first visit and $250.00 right before surgery. Baptist let us pay $6,000.00 before and $6,000.00 30 days after. Dr. Tribble let me pay $750.00 before and $750.00 30 days. You have 90 days of free fills and if his Nurse Pract., Judy (AWESOME LADY) can do it, she does not charge u! I have to say I had a much better experience than a friend who went to the Dr. Givens group at Lex. Hospital! Phone # is 376-5982. They are a Bariactic Center of Excellance!

Hope this helps....I truly had NO problems! :biggrin: Joy

I am waitng to get my Band in LaGrange, Georgia. Insurance process is taking a lot of time. Thought about paying myself ...but waiting on insurance. Self pay price is $17,500 which includes followup and adjustments for 1 year including "fluro" adjustments. Dr Turton said "fluro" adjustments are done with xray and helps to be more precise and less chance for too tight.Wish me luck!!!