Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hi,

Has anyone out there gone the self-pay route? I may have to and I was wondering how deeply in debt I might become. If someone wouldn't mind ballparking I would really appreciate the info.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

There have been numerous threads here lately on the costs of self pay. Run a search and you will find TONS of information! Good Luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am self pay on Monday but I'm having it done in Monterrey Mexico with Dr. Sanchez. I'll be having my after care done here by Dr. Curry. It is 8500.00 for the surgery then airfare was 1200.00 so about 10,000.00. Then your fills are free if you have them done in Mexico but I've found it cheaper to have them done here than pay for airfare. Most places I checked in the states was around 16000.00 to 28,000.00. There are many financing options such as health loans and things like that at low interest rates.

Hope this helps. You can find lots of info on this site and many wonderful people.

Sherri

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Mine was $17,000 in Everett, WA. Outpatient basis. Included the anesthesiologist one year after care/fills.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I used Dr. Speigel in Houston, TX and the fee was $15,000. Since I had it financed through Capital One, Dr. Speigel also charged an additional $510 fee. The interest rate I secured with Capital One was 9.9% for a five year loan. So, my monthly payments are about $320.

This is a lot of money, but considering that my husband and I were probably spending about $800 a month going out to eat (dinner and lunches), we are actually saving money since the surgery. Not to mention, you can't really put a price on your health and happiness.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am self pay, I went through the Wish Center in Downer Grove, Il. I was charged about $9800.00 for the lap band (fills not included) It was a good deal for me rather than fly to Mexico

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello,

I was self-pay, and I think the total was around $18,500. We took out a regular loan at the bank, and I think I borrowed $20,000 just to be safe. My monthly payments are around $400.00. This covered EVERYTHING to do with the surgery, hospital, one night's stay, and four fills afterwards. I love my band, and I don't regret it for a minute. The only time I have any bad thoughts are when I make out that check to the bank every month!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I also was a self pay, I did mine in france, airfare from USA is quite cheap to Europe, can get flights to Paris for under 800 USD with research. The medical care in europe is considered best in france and belgium. Max surgery costs and all inclusive hospital stay was 3500GBP, so roughly 6000USD. I stayed in a private room in an excellent hospital for 5 nights.

I can only highly recommend my surgeon, as he performs this surgery many times a week and has done for a number of years.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello.

I'm a self pay via SurgeryLoans. I decided to do my banding through Dr. Sanchez with the Diamond Package for $10,150 which includes my airfare for the surgery and airfare for my next follow-up/fill. My repayments will be under $300 for 60 months.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for all the input y'all. I did a search of previous threads and found most of what I was looking for. I also saw several posters mentioning lots of paperwork. It seemed that most of it had to do with getting insurance to pay though. What kind of paperwork or tests do most self-payers have to contend with?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was self pay in Mexico, my SIL and I went together and had it done, we each paid about $7500.00, which included all surgical costs, would cover 1 year of fills, Dr. fees, pre-op testing of bloodwork, EKG,& Xrays, and 1/2 of the cost of our airfare. As for paperwork, we had to have medical records, and forms filled out for the Dr. that they sent to us online. There was a questionairre that I thought was likely ignored, that was done as a psych evaluation, but they questioned one of my SIL's answers and called to talk it over with her. Ends up she was being sarcastic, and with the language barrier, they didn't get it!!!

Kat

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for all the input y'all. I did a search of previous threads and found most of what I was looking for. I also saw several posters mentioning lots of paperwork. It seemed that most of it had to do with getting insurance to pay though. What kind of paperwork or tests do most self-payers have to contend with?

Now THAT was the good part. My surgery center had a nutritionist and psych in the office, so the only paperwork was regarding my health, physical and mental. There was quite a bit of that, but at least there was no fighting with the insurance company.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×