I'm looking into VSG Surgeons in the Houston TX area and was hoping to find some forum users who can recommend a good surgeon as well has provide information on cost...

I have Blue Cross / Blue Shield of TX insurance and it does cover the VSG. However the one office I called came back with an out of pocket cost that damn near the cash-pay cost!!!

So I'm thinking I need to shop around and would love input from other Houstonian VSGers.

Thanks!

Mike

Edited April 17, 201511 yr by pushforth

I am currently trying to find out the projected out of pocket cost for my surgery next week, but am having problems getting the correct price!

My doctor is Dr. Kenneth Hollis at Bay Choice Bariatrics at Southeast Memorial Hospital in Houston.

He did my friend's surgery, and she was very happy with him, so I am using him. I have Cigna. Send me a message in about a week or so, and I should have the correct figures for you. Or if I find out soon, I'll post back here.

I Am Using Dr. St.Laurent in cypress TX. The cost is going to cost me about 5,000. $1500 for deductible and put of pocket max. 2000 for assistant surgeon as they are not in network and $1200 for post surgical dietician which you use for your lifetime. I have an out of state BCBS so I have to do 6 months of dietician and doctor monitoring. I believe BCBS of Texas only requires 3 months.

I will be attending a Seminar with Dr Dexter Turnquest on May 22 & will meet with him at that time. He works out of Methodist Willowbrook and Houston NW Medical Center. He is very highly rated. I have Medicare and UHC Supplement Insurance that should cover most if not all costs. I couldn't afford it otherwise.

Louise

By the way, I still haven't found the absolute total of my out of pocket yet. I am 2 weeks post op, and I had to come up with half of my cost at time of surgery, which was $2400!! I wasn't expecting it to be this expensive, which is around $5000 out of pocket, after my Cigna insurance pays their 70%. I'm not to happy, but at least I had the surgery, and happy with my results so far. I'm doing good, and it will be worth it later!

I would recommend to you the UT MIST group. Dr. Erik Wilson is a pioneer in revisions and overall bariatric surgeon. He is the top go to guy for bariatric at memorial hermann in the medical center.

I am going for a Seminar and my first consultation with Dr. Dexter Turnquest a WLS and general surgeon here in NW Houston tomorrow morning bright and early. He is rated very highly. Just Google Turnquest Surgical Solutions. His office said he excepts most insurance plans. I have Medicare and AARP SUPPLIMENTAL, an excellent plan even if it is expensive. If Medicare covers it, they will pick up the difference that isn't paid. I will report tomorrow how things went.

If you have a chance, I would love to have everyone visit my blog:

http://losingitat67.wordpress.com.