Is anyone paying full price cash pay for their surgery? I am because my insurance doesn't cover it. How much are you roughly paying?

$26,000 in Indianapolis

Yeah $25,000 in Columbus. I wonder why it's so much higher in the Midwest?

Also a couple of $10,500.00 cash options in Texas. They also have the hiatal hernia price if they find a hernia (this drops the cost to between $3500 - $5000).

Can you tell me which doctors or clinics do offer the hiatal hernia price? My ins won't cover WLS surgery, but I have been told by my PCP that I have a hiatal hernia. This might be the route for me. Thanks!

I did this with Dr Kim at Kim Bariatrics. Cash pay with HH repair was $4900. I had sleeve 10/27/14. Great practice. You'll love them.

11,800 self pay in Michigan

Ronimom, did you ever hear back from Dr Kim's office on pricing for you? Dr Kim did my surgery a little over 3 years ago and he is wonderful in my opinion. The staff is GREAT too! The after surgery support is amazing. Lots of opportunities to get together with fellow Dr Kim patients at support groups, fitness events, monthly Breakfast and dinner get togethers, 5k/10ks, fun events like going dancing, painting, roller skating, etc.

No, I never heard back. I will not be able to have surgery until December at the earliest, so I am waiting a bit before I start making phone calls and setting up appointments.

@@BrownEyedTxGirl - Thank you for the information. I could not find the pricing information on Dr. Frenzel's page, but I sent them a message via their website.

@@ronimom Dr. Clayton Frenzel has a cash price of $10,500 and hiatal hernia price of $3500.00. Both of these options are listed on his website.

True Results has similar prices as Dr Frenzel for both options.

Dr. David Kim is a little more, around $15,000 cash price and $5,000 hiatal hernia price.

I contacted True Results (in St. Louis) earlier today but they said I only qualified (insurance-wise) for the lap band. They referred me to another doctor in the area, but I have yet to contact him.

I also spoke with someone from Dr. Kim's office. They did not mention the hiatal hernia option and quoted me a price around $14,000. She said the special on their website ($4900) is generally for local people because it requires 4-5 office visits. I am 5-6 hours away from them. She is going to look into my insurance and get back with me later this week.

I will continue to look around. I was set to go to Mexico until I read about the hiatal hernai option. Since my PCP has told me I have a hiatal hernia, I was hoping this might be my solution to stay in the US. We shall see!

Can you explain a little more about the different lower hernia pricing? I have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia but my surgeon didn't say anything about offering a different price because of it. My insurance covers the bypass but not the sleeve and I am moving forward with the sleeve so will be cash pay. If there's a way to have insurance cover a portion of it that would be so much better! Any info would be helpful. Thank you!

Can you explain a little more about the different lower hernia pricing? I have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia but my surgeon didn't say anything about offering a different price because of it. My insurance covers the bypass but not the sleeve and I am moving forward with the sleeve so will be cash pay. If there's a way to have insurance cover a portion of it that would be so much better! Any info would be helpful. Thank you!

If you have a hiatal hernia, there are some doctors who will repair the hernia at the same time they perform the sleeve surgery. Then, the insurance will be billed for the hernia part of the surgery and you only pay out of pocket for the bariatric surgery. I have only found 3 surgeons that do this (all in Dallas, TX area): Clayton Frenzel, Nick Nicholson and Dr. Kim. Their fellow doctors that work in their clinics might also offer this option. I just spoke to Dr. Frenzel's office yesterday. If my insurance approves the hernia surgery, my out of pocket cost for the sleeve is $3500. Hope this helps!

Thank you! I'll be making a few phone calls to see if they accept my insurance before moving forward with full self pay after reading this.

Edited August 14, 201510 yr by txkat

My surgeon is with Dr. Kim on 9/3/2015 I cannot wait.

How do you diagnose a hiatal hernia?

@@JenniferP1 My surgeon did an EGD to check for a hernia. I believe that is the process/procedure that most doctors use.

@tbaby10. Good luck with your surgery. I am also a Dr Kim patient (will be two weeks out tomorrow) and so far the journey has been amazing! The after support has been wonderful! They have monthly support groups, group activities like workouts and 5K's (registered for my first yesterday) and a Facebook support group.

Is your surgery in Frisco at Destiny?

Edited August 16, 201510 yr by BrownEyedTxGirl

First post from a new forum member.

Self-pay cost in Kansas City (Bariatric Center of KC) is $11,999, which includes surgeon, hospital costs, pre- and post-surgery consults, lab work, etc. EGD is also required and can be covered by insurance or they have a flat $1,000 fee for that as well.

Also something to consider is complication coverage. This center, being a Center of Excellence, also offers BLIS insurance coverage which basically covers any complications for a set time period. The surgeon waives his fees for treating any complications but hospital, anesthesiologist, lab and other costs can be crippling if not covered by insurance. BLIS is not cheap but provides some protection from those costs. The patient purchases this coverage separately from BLIS, but the surgeon must be a participant in their network.

@tbaby10. Good luck with your surgery. I am also a Dr Kim patient (will be two weeks out tomorrow) and so far the journey has been amazing! The after support has been wonderful! They have monthly support groups, group activities like workouts and 5K's (registered for my first yesterday) and a Facebook support group.

Is your surgery in Frisco at Destiny?

In Colleyville

Well I maybe wrong, it's at baylor trophy club

Acid Reflux, Heartburn and Indigestion are all signs of a hiatal hernia.

I tried googling but I can't get a good description of how to tell if you have a heital hernia... Anyone know? I'm had a c-section and 2 back surgeries so who knows what's happening in my midsection!