Hi sleevers. I am in the process of waiting for the Dept of Veterans Affairs to approve my surgery. In the meantime (and due to excessive worry), I am thinking about what is going to happen if they don't approve it for some reason. I don't want to go to Mexico (not bashing it, just not for me). Has anyone self paid in the US? How much did you pay, and can you send me your surgeon's name? I meet the minimum quals of 35 BMI and hypertension. Thanks very much.

tdskkenn

I THOUGHT I was going to be insurance...but my policy did not cover it. So, now I am self pay, scheduled for March 5! My total is almost $14,000...that includes hospital, doctor, 2 week diet plan post op, and vitamins for first 3 months. My doctor is Drake Bellanger, MD in Baton Rouge, LA. So far, I really like him and his staff...along with the staff at Women's Hospital. I know it is a lot of money...but Mexico is not for me either and I have wanted this for so long. I'm gonna work hard and it is going to be SOOOOOOO worth it!! Good Luck!

I was self-pay with Dr. Morris Washington in Myrtle Beach, SC. It was $8000 for everything.

Good luck with your choice and you can inbox me if you have questions.

My surgeon's fee were just under 9K and about 1K for anesthesiologist. It was the hospital fees that pushed it to about 20K. I got in just under the wire as the hospital increased their fees. I was sleeved in San Francisco, California. Great surgeon, great hopital, incredible care before,during and after. It really was a great experience. I don't regret it one bit and I am soooooooooo thrilled, and greatful, that I did not have to wait for insurance. I was ready and did not want to go through more. I am greatful I was able to do it. I know it's a huge hardship. But I made the decision to do this for me. Best of luck with this. I know it's a big decision!!! Let us know how things go.

I am getting the surgery on March 12th in Birmingham, Alabama and the cost is $13,500. My husband would never let me go out of the country to have it done and the surgeon I am using is excellent. My insurance excludes WLS.

I am self pay as well. My insurance won't cover anything related to weight loss :mad5: . My surgery is March 20 and my total is $12,500. That includes everything - hospital stay for one night, surgeon, anesthesia, etc...and followup visits. My surgeon is Dr. Domkowski in Sebastian, FL. He is wonderful!

I was self pay. $9500 covered surgeon's fee, anesthesia, 1 day hospital stay, pathology and radiology. I also work for the hospital I had it done at so I got a bit of a discount, but not much.

I was self-pay with Dr. Morris Washington in Myrtle Beach, SC. It was $8000 for everything.

Good luck with your choice and you can inbox me if you have questions.

Mocha,

Were you happy with Dr. Morris and the hospital???

christin (a poster here) was self pay with my surgeon. Dr. Marema in St. Augustine Florida. He is FACS and a surgeon of excellence. Has done thousands of surgeries. Send christin a private message in case she doesn't see this. I don't know how much she paid.

I was self-pay and had my surgery with Dr. David Kim in Dallas TX. The surgery, hospital, anesthesia, year follow-up with complication insurance and all pre-op testing included was 12,300. Well worth the money considering the credentials/experience of this surgeon.

I was self pay in New Iberia, Louisiana with Dr. Borland. Total cost $9800. I'm extremely happy with my experience.

I am self pay. $16,850.00 includes procedure, two year comprehensive nutrition and fitness program and anesthesiology. Puget Sound Surgical Center located in Edmonds Washington. Good luck to you!