Soooo...the school system that I work in has chosen not to include WLS in our policy through United Healthcare. Which in turn means...SELF PAY

Has anyone in here had a sleeve done in Louisiana or the USA and had to self pay?

If so how much how much round about did it cost?

I am not interested in going out of the country to have this surgery...as my mother is in the medical profession and would hear nothing of the sort...not that I wanted to either.

Any help or information would be greatly appreciated!

I self paid in USA and got top notch care . I paid 13500. Mexico was not an option for me whatsoever.

I agree with you. Don't know why people going to Mexico to get it done. I know here in fl almost all insurance pay if not Medicare s long as the BMI is too high or health issues or self pay no more then 10,000

I had mine done in Washington state for a total cost of right about $20,000 (insurance only covered a couple of nut visits and the psyc exam so it wasn't the flat 20 grand that was normal for the doc). I would never have left the country for surgery, but completely understand why people do. I don't leave the country because I can't risk bringing stuff home to my little boy. But given how horrible my care was, you couldn't do much worse anywhere LOL (and I researched my doc, it was a bariatric center of excellence etc).

It sounds like you have a great option close by for a great price.

I'm having my sleeve done on Feb 21st with Dr. Bellanger. He isn't a provider on my insurance so I have to pay him as a self pay patient. My cost with him is $5450. My insurance will cover the hospital (Cypress point), well 80% of it so I'm not sure of a total yet.

And I forgot to say Dr. Bellanger is in Baton Rouge.

I agree with you. Don't know why people going to Mexico to get it done. I know here in fl almost all insurance pay if not Medicare s long as the BMI is too high or health issues or self pay no more then 10' date='000[/quote']

Smh...

Amanda Rae

I agree with you. Don't know why people going to Mexico to get it done. I know here in fl almost all insurance pay if not Medicare s long as the BMI is too high or health issues or self pay no more then 10,000

If you don't understand why, then go back and read some of our posts... I think it's clear why we choose mexico. I'm not saying it's the right choice for everyone if you have a better option close by then of course choose it... For me, I'm going to a competent doctor who has done thousands of procedures but happens to be in mexico simply makes sense. I'm having a two night hospital stay AND I'm saving $15,500 off of what it would cost locally.

I'm from Mobile self pay here is 11,900 al inclusive. That also include 50 k of insurance I case it's needed.

And I forgot to say Dr. Bellanger is in Baton Rouge.

I'm just scar for others going out there to Mexico. I was lucky because my husband work at the hospital so our insurance paying everything. My doctor wanna me to go to his doctors and nutritionist but it was coming out for like $1200 out of packet but I did everything throw my insurance and at the end all I spend was 30 dollars per medical visit in which it was one's time a months for three months. So total cost was $90.00 well plus food. I been very Lucky thank god. Because I don't have no money for this surgery

Pelekania,

I will do some research; but the website that Tiffany left lists the quote as just under 10 grand...which to me is much less than some of the self pay quotes I have heard recently. I joined this site for information, insight, and suggestions thanks so much!!!

Bonnie

I'm going to Mexico... but self pay here in my area is over 20,000 so $4,500 in mexico just makes sense... If I lived in lousianna or Texas where I could get treatment for $8900 I'd probably do that to avoid having to travel.. It WOULD be nice to have my surgeon close for followup support.. but since I have to travel anyway, I may as well get it done in mexico for much less.

Dr Joya and his team were absolutely amazing, 5 star resort on the beach, you're treated like royalty. $6000. Just had it done Jan 21st... incisions are impecable. I would do it all over in a heart beat. I have had zero issues (aside from the gas the first few days which is expected)... but ZERO issues from 3 people including myself who went to him.

HIGHLY recommended!

I am also from Canada so it was a long haul to get there and back. My only regret was not staying at that hotel a few extra nights either before or after. I miss my butlers!

I agree with you. Don't know why people going to Mexico to get it done. I know here in fl almost all insurance pay if not Medicare s long as the BMI is too high or health issues or self pay no more then 10,000

I can tell you why I am going to Mexico vs staying in Florida. I met with 2 surgeons here who quoted self-pay prices of $20,000 and $14,000. I don't have that kind of cash and am not in a position to charge that much.

I started out staying "I'd never..." about Mexico. It sounded like something out of a horror novel to me. Who goes to a place that is little better than a third world country for a major medical procedure?? Then, I watched a documentary on Medical Tourism. It discussed not only medical tourism in Mexico but in India, where it is becoming very common place for Americans to receive what would be cost-prohibitive in the US treatments. It discussed a LOT about doctor credentials and what it took in those places to be able to practice medicine. I knew then I might be in a position of having to eat a little crow.

I started researching, having discovered that my insurance through my employer has a total exclusion for weight loss surgery. I met with a surgeon I had previously connected with, who has a bariatric practice but had treated me, in conjunction with my reproductive endocrinologist, to ask her thoughts. I talked to my primary care physician who is outspoken in his opinion that the medical field in the US is broken. If you've ever suffered with a chronic illness or needed expensive care without any insurance, you know it's broken. I got the green light from him to research it more and follow up with him again.

I'm now about 18 months past the original discussions with my doctors. I'm certain that for around $6k, including airfare and other incidentals, I'm making the right choice for ME in going to Mexico. I'm not about to try to convince anyone else it's the right choice for them. My doctor agrees it's the right choice for me. I'm 33 and hypertensive and pre-diabetic, in addition to some other things that add to this being the right choice for my body. I've been on and off of diets for at least the past 10 years. My doctor has personally watched me struggle with my weight, losing some then gaining it back plus more for good measure.

In the end, I don't think that even if it doesn't make sense to you, anyone should have to justify their decision....whether it's to stay in the US and pay more money or if it's to go to Mexico.

~Kat

I'm having my sleeve done on Feb 21st with Dr. Bellanger. He isn't a provider on my insurance so I have to pay him as a self pay patient. My cost with him is $5450. My insurance will cover the hospital (Cypress point), well 80% of it so I'm not sure of a total yet.

That's a great price! When I went for a consult with him, I was quoted $11,000 since I was a self pay.

I wish I knew how to respond to every one individually because I would tell each and every one of you THANK YOU!

All of your comments are welcome and taken into consideration. I think I will stay close to home because I have a 7 month old and an 8 year old...my husband works ALL THE TIME IN THE OIL FIELD and is never home. I think my kids would have a complete melt down without seeing me for three or four days straight. I have never been away from my baby either. Plus if I travel I am not sure who would go with me...since I would want my parents to stay home with the kids if my husband was working.

I can't wait to start calling around and interviewing the doctors...after all it is like hiring someone for the job!

Again thank you so much for the help I really appreciate it!!!

Soooo...the school system that I work in has chosen not to include WLS in our policy through United Healthcare. Which in turn means...SELF PAY

Has anyone in here had a sleeve done in Louisiana or the USA and had to self pay?

If so how much how much round about did it cost?

I am not interested in going out of the country to have this surgery...as my mother is in the medical profession and would hear nothing of the sort...not that I wanted to either.

Any help or information would be greatly appreciated!

I live in Austin and after talking to several doctors I work with at an ER followed their recommendation to check Houston and Dallas. Their advice was, good doctors in Austin but at 16k self pay was more than I wanted to look at. Lots of research landed me at My Bariatric Solutions in Decatur, TX NW of Fort Worth. They have on line portals and really cater to out of town and out of state patient.

$10,450 cash for sleeve. I have a hietal hernial they are going to repair at the same time. They checked with my insurance who DOES cover hietal hernia repair. So I have a further cash discount. Total $7,200 self pay. I will have some out of pocket for the portion they file with insurance. Once the dust settles after my surgery I can let you know what my out of pocket from the hernia repair runs if you message me. Bigboy will depend for you what your coverage is.

Love love love Dr. Stowers staff. Deanna

I paid $8000 in South Carolina and ther is a dr in Texas - http://www.drdirkweightloss.com/. His sleeve starts at $10,900.

I live in Louisiana and had mine with Dr Thomas Borland in New Iberia. 9' date='800 self pay. Here is his website

http://www.thomasborlandmd.com/[/quote']

I'm going through this same Dr in 15 days. I know about 15 people that have used him and love him. Nothing but good things to say.