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

Reasonable private pay doctor in US.



Recommended Posts

Hi all, I need your help in finding a doctor here in the United States that charges a reasonable price for the surgery. My sister wants to have the surgery but was denied by her insurance cos of low BMI and no serious health issues except for knee pain. So, she wants to pay privately for the surgery but doesn't want to go to Mexico for fear that no one will be held responsible if anything was to happen. Also, her husband is not in agreement with her going to Mexico and neither is my mom. We are in New York and she found a dr in New Jersey that will charge her about $13,000 but she wants to shop around some more to see if she can get a better deal. I also told her that I will post the question on the forum to see if anyone of you can help us.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am paying $11K for Dr. Umbach in Las Vegas (Blossom Bariatrics)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

$9800 in Louisiana.. Dr. T. Borland.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

ALOT of US surgeons have chosen to drop their malpractice insurance. Then they put everything in their wives names so they are judgement proof. So just check that out if she is using a US surgeon. I went to Mexico, 6000.00 no complications. I know it's a personal choice , just letting you know.

Teri

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Prices in Texas (Dallas/Houston) range from 7800 to 12.5k. If you google for gastric sleeve houston or dallas most of the docs have the price on their site. Many include hotel stays as well as the hospital stay.

There is a thread regarding this topic under the Surgeons forum, I think the title is something like "Self-Pay Help!". There were many responses with names, locations and prices there. Good luck!

ETA: I think that for the area (NE) the Doc you found in Jersey is quite reasonable and at least within driving distance from where you/she lives. Maybe a long drive though depending upon where in NY you are of course!

ETA: I found the thread here: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/95616-selfpay-help/

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If the 13,000 is the total price, that's not too bad. The main reason that I did not go to Mexico was not a concern over the quality of care or if I would be able to sue someone if there was a bad outcome, but rather I didn't want to have to get on an airplane and fly just a few days after major surgery. Other people decide to do that and they are totally fine, but I didn't want to do that. I found someone about 3 hours away for just over $12,000 for the surgery.

Even if you find a surgeon in Las Vegas or Louisiana for 10k or 11k, by the time you add in the cost of the airfares for two people, and hotel rooms, I doubt that you will be saving much money.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was with Dr Umbach in Vegas (baby!). For the outpatient option, he charges $10,400. I prefer not to be in hospitals, if at all possible. There are sick people in there. (and I wasn't sick!)

I highly recommend Dr Umbach. PLUS, you get a little time in Vegas. Plan it sometime in December when it is cold as all get out in NY.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeons self pay option was like 13K complete Riverside Surgical & Weight Loss center Sebastian Florida. All fees & 2 nights in the hospital at that rate.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The Woodlands TX here, I self paid and it was right at $15,500 My surgeon only got $5000 of that. The hospital was $8500 cash, the anesthesiologist was a deal at $1250 the rest was the preliminary fees (psych, nutrition, initial consult) and the blood work / radiologist. The hospital pathology gave me a 50% discount if paid within 30 days. I chose the surgeon and hospital based on stats and ratings so I was fine with paying a little more and was completely happy with my entire experience.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow I paid $24,000 with everything included(hospital, anesthesia,...) in ny . I wish I knew about this support group before lol

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Gulf coast MS 10,500 with dr. Avara or dr Baulder in Slidell LA

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Boca Raton, Florida with Dr. Shilingford 10,500 all inclusive (tests included).

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

    ×