unbelievable.......

Surgeon $29,279.00

Asst Surgeon - which is NOT covered - $16,061.22 - which I will fight against since I was NOT told there was an assistant surgeon

Hospital (1 night) - $42,227.20

Anes - $2,562.00

Pic line - $551.00

Lab work - $185.00

thank goodness for insurance.....just to think that we charge here in the US over 80K for a surgery and you can go to Mexico and pay under 10K....something is really wrong with this picture and Obama Care is NOT the solution, trust me.

unbelievable.......

Surgeon $29,279.00

Asst Surgeon - which is NOT covered - $16,061.22 - which I will fight against since I was NOT told there was an assistant surgeon

Hospital (1 night) - $42,227.20

Anes - $2,562.00

Pic line - $551.00

Lab work - $185.00

thank goodness for insurance.....just to think that we charge here in the US over 80K for a surgery and you can go to Mexico and pay under 10K....something is really wrong with this picture and Obama Care is NOT the solution, trust me.

Sad part is, that is what they charge the insurance company.... I paid cash for my surgery, 12.500 for EVERYTHING... anesthesia, hospital, surgery and all...

I had my sleeve in the US. when you are self pay you get a discount at most all hospitals in the US. So mine was a tad over 25k. I was happy to pay it going to Mexico was not an option. I wanted it done here so my doc was here when or if I needed him. So keep in mind self pay always has a nice discount call a few places if you like to confirm that .

Yes, it's for sure less if you are self pay.

I was told $16k if pre-op stuff got covered by ins.

$19k if not.

There is a big difference between what they charge insurance and what insurance actually pays.

For example, I had an amnio once and the hospital charged 7,000, but ins said they are only allowed to charge 2,200, so less than 1/3 is what they got paid.

That being said, they can charge a self pay more because there is no one telling them they can't. At one of the hospitals that I work for the self pay cost was 24,000 and you still have to jump all the hoops, some of which will be covered if you have a reason to get it other than "pre op".

The outpatient clinic I contacted was 22,000. That includes 0 days in the hospital. And still the hoops.

I opted to schedule with Dr Garcia in Mexico for 4700. Hopefully that will work out OK.

There is a big difference between what they charge insurance and what insurance actually pays.

For example, I had an amnio once and the hospital charged 7,000, but ins said they are only allowed to charge 2,200, so less than 1/3 is what they got paid.

That being said, they can charge a self pay more because there is no one telling them they can't. At one of the hospitals that I work for the self pay cost was 24,000 and you still have to jump all the hoops, some of which will be covered if you have a reason to get it other than "pre op".

The outpatient clinic I contacted was 22,000. That includes 0 days in the hospital. And still the hoops.

I opted to schedule with Dr Garcia in Mexico for 4700. Hopefully that will work out OK.

Self pay = no hoops... the hoops are determined by the insurance companies.. No insurance, no hoops... All I had to do was tell the doctor what I wanted... The NUT, the shrink, the hospital, and the labs were all included in my price. Also included 1 year of follow up care. The only thing outside of that, that I had to pay for, was my after surgery meds.. Those were nearly 400 themselves..

Of course if you are not overweight and are doing it for a vanity issue, you will have a harder time finding a doctor to actually do the surgery but that was the ONLY hoop I saw...

Self pay = no hoops... the hoops are determined by the insurance companies.. No insurance' date=' no hoops... All I had to do was tell the doctor what I wanted... The NUT, the shrink, the hospital, and the labs were all included in my price. Also included 1 year of follow up care. The only thing outside of that, that I had to pay for, was my after surgery meds.. Those were nearly 400 themselves..

Of course if you are not overweight and are doing it for a vanity issue, you will have a harder time finding a doctor to actually do the surgery but that was the ONLY hoop I saw...[/quote']

Yep no hoops here as well after meds I payed for. Follow ups are payed for here to

Surgery - $$$$$, Health - priceless.

The surgeons look at those of us who have excellent insurance as 'cash cows'! They can bill highest fee on scale (I'm sure what ins. pays surgeons is a lot more than self-pay!) Send us for a kazillion tests, etc. I'm glad I have great ins. and had all the tests. With self-pay I don't know that my apnea would have been discovered and treated! My oxygen level dropped to 85% when sleeping-a big reason for my recent rapid weight gain and constant fatigue. I do have to save up for the inevitable tummy-tuck I'm going to need after losing 100 lbs. I don't think my ins. covers this. Maybe by the time I'm ready it will be- who knows! (throw in breast augmentation and I'll be good as new! Ha ha!) Good luck!

Just did the math, which includes psych consult, EGD, nutritionist, surgery, anesthesia, assistants, STAPLES & all meds:

Billed: $129,320 Insurance paid: $19,899 (>16%)

Hit enter too soon, but my out of pocket was $1,038!

I was self pay. Went to Michigan in 2011. 11k out the door and worth every penny!

That is an amazing price difference! No wonder health care in America is so messed up! Has anyone gone to Mexico for plastic surgery (if I have to self pay my tummy tuck and breast augmentation, might as well explore all options.) So many success stories from people who went to mexico (Dr. Alvarez, if I recall). Curious if there is plastic/reconstructive sugary center that does such an excellent jib as Dr. Alvarez.

What's wrong with this picture! It makes me so frustrated with the medical billing practices of these hospitals. How ridiculous is it to expect you to pay for an assistant surgeon that is most likely an intern that has o experience...... <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/angry.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> These are fighting words....My surgery was 49' date='000 for the hospital fees and I believe 8,000 for the surgeon. Thankful that I only paid about 20.00 my co pay. I an socked.....[/quote']

I understand most frustrations about not wanting to pay for any additional unnecessary cost.. However Surgical Assistants are highly trained professionals who have been to school and passed national boards to be able to practice. Info about the profession can be found at NBSTSA. Org or www.nsaa.net

I was self pay. Went to Michigan in 2011. 11k out the door and worth every penny!

Where in MI did you go?

I was a prepay becise my Insurance did not cover WLS procedures. I had my surgery in the U.S @ Laredo Tx. Price was total $8500.. If you want inexpensive, high quality and still stay in the U.S. try Dr. Morris throught the Laredo Surgical Center. My brother also used him and he has no regrets.