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

Anyone Self-Pay In The United States?



Recommended Posts

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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???

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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!

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

    • 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.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • 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

    ×