I am going to have to self-pay if I am going to have the lap-band surgery. Dr. Spivak's web-site says it is $15K including 1-year of fills. Does anyone know if this includes the hospital charges or anesthesia, etc. If not, what is the "real" out-of-pocket cost?

:omg:

Hi there!

I just had surgery with Spivak on June 9th and I too am self-pay. The 15,000 includes the cost for everything. If you get a "low profile" port then that is an additional $700.

Melissa Lea

Spivak

06/09/2006

self-pay

i have the same dr as melissa. the total quoted was $15,700...

1. dr spivak and his assistant.. $6500 (10% self pay)

2. facility fee...................$8500

3. anesthesia....................$700

my total was $14,500 (got add'l $500 off because i'm a nurse). i'm pretty healthy, so i didn't have to have anything else done.

cutiern:D

What is "low profile"? I wouldn't want the port to be visible -- and where is it located exactly?

Dr. Spivak puts places his ports below the sternum or above the stomach (in that general area). A low profile port is flatter than the regular ports. He told me that he could not determine if you can have a low profile port until he can see the depth of the fat layer. If it's too thick, he will put a regular port but place it deeper to prevent it from showing.

Melissa

I am going to have to self-pay if I am going to have the lap-band surgery. Dr. Spivak's web-site says it is $15K including 1-year of fills. Does anyone know if this includes the hospital charges or anesthesia, etc. If not, what is the "real" out-of-pocket cost?

:omg:

I am also self pay and I'm having Dr. Stephen Hamm in Plano, Tx do it. He has made a deal with a Baylor Hospital in Frisco that includes the Hospital overnight stay, anethesiologist, his surgery and 1 year of fills for $14,500.

:clap2:

i went with dr. spivak.

$15k covered everything. i am in great health, just obese, so i did not have any pre-op testing. there were absolutely no other expenses. the $15k truly covered everything.

good luck