I have been searching for facilities in Mobile,Al. As I will be paying out of pocket I have been checking for prices. USA Medical is under $10000.00 . Any comments about this hospital?

Also I read anything I could find on Dr. Richards. He is very qualified and has done 1000's of surgeries.

I am very anxious to hear your story. Thanks you SOO much for the info.

I was starting to feel very discouraged. They told me today I actually must see my primary for 7 mos in a row before my ins will pay and then it will cost me $2700. out of pocket.

My primary is a great dr , but everytime I go to her office I seem to catch whatever the latest bad virus going around. Its possible that the amounts could be different at USA? I will check into it.

You are the first person to mention USA. Everyone else I know has been to Mobile Infirmary.

I read a little about Dr Richards and he appears to be a very skilled dr

PLEASE keep me posted and let me know how you do after surgery .

Do you have insurance and just didnt want to wait?

I have BC/BS however it doesn't cover any weight loss procurers no matter how medically necessary. So I decided to just go for it and pay myself

my self pay is 11900.00 that includes 2 nights in hospital . It also includes 50000.00 of insurance in case of any problems that may occur. Most insurance co. have a lot of requirements ,test,evaluation,etc.

I have been searching for facilities in Mobile' date='Al. As I will be paying out of pocket I have been checking for prices. USA Medical is under 10000.00 . Any comments about this hospital?[/quote']

I could ask my doctor. To see how much it cost.

Hi D Mixon,

I am very anxious to know how it went at USA?

Are you doing well?

Any info you can share would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

I am starting to get so scared, but feel I have no choice.

I am considering self paying too because it looks like it will be Christmas before I can get the surgery with Dr Lord in Pensacola.

Hope you are doing well

Hi, yes I'm doing great. I've lost about 46 lbs. it comes off slowly but once it's gone ,it's gone forever. I loved using dr Richards and my experience at USA was wonderful

U should come to one of the support groups. That will answer some of your questions. This Dr. Only has a 5 day pre op diet which wasn't too hard. After the surgery it has been just a matter of me relearning how to eat correctly. It's not a picnic but it is certainly worth doing.

THANK YOU so much!!

I hope to go to the next support group. My name is Vicki. Hope to see you there !!

I went to the seminar a few days ago there and really love the nurse that gave the seminar. her name is Valerie , I think.

Do you or did you have any nausea? vomiting? Was the pain bad?

There was a little pain at first but I was able t o get up and around ok. I had a lot of pain on my third week around the major staples but was told that was normal. I never was nauseated. I took two weeks off of work but could have gone back after 10 days. I don't regret doing this at all. .