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

Has anyone been banded in the US that has paid for it out of pocket?


Guest Fighting for me

Recommended Posts

Guest Fighting for me

I want to be banded. I don't want to wait for insurance to cover it as I am not sure they even will, I am 5'2, 191lbs. I am not sure if that is obese enough to get banded through insurance. So I am going to pay for it out of pocket but I am a little freaked about going to Mexico ( I would have to go alone). So I want to know of anyone who had it done in the US that they paid for themselves, who the doctor was, and how much you paid. Thank you all for any help you can give.

Danyielle

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

In Oregon I know it ranges from $12k to $20k. Dr. Eubanks at Portland Surgical Specialists does it for $12k and I have heard great things about him. I don't know where you live but thought I would throw the numbers out there. Teresa

P.S. My insurance wouldn't pay and I did go to Mexico and I am very happy with my results. I was freaked a little but did a lot of research and saw pics of the facility on the internet. Best wishes!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Danyielle,

Hi, congratulations on your decision. Where do you live? I was banded in Mexico but recently found out that a doctor very close does the bands for 12k. I am in Washington State.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Where do you live? If you were to be banded in the US, you'd want someone relatively close for your follow up and any incidentals like fills, complications, etc. Have you checked out the surgeon locator at www.lap-band.com ?? That might be a good place to start seeing exactly who is in your area.

Welcome to the forum!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Why are you freaked out about Mexico. I was a self pay and went to Mexico, it is 3 xs more money here in California then what I paid for in Mexico not to mention one of the 3 Drs. here in Cali that I saw one of them told me about Dr. Ortiz since he was trained by my mexican doctor on how to do the surgery. Lots of us here on this site went to Mexico, this is where they were taught first and all the Mexican docs train the US docs. Most Mexican docs have placed more bands then many of the US docs.

Here is a link to my doctors new book and some info about him, his facilities , who he has trained, info all about the band etc..

www.lap-bandforlife.com

There are several outstanding docs in Mexico

Kuri

Ortiz

Rumbaut

Rodriguez

Just to name of few that are very experienced..No reason to be freaked about Mexico Danyielle, they all have beautiful. clean facilities and most of them speak English with English speaking staffs..

I can tell you that I looked into 3 Dr.'s here the lowest being 18,000 the higest being 22,000

I paid 8995 for mine in TJ

I know cheaper is not always better but experience is always better and "most" Mexican docs are more experienced then "most" US docs

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest Fighting for me

I live in Dallas, TX. Thank you all very much for your help.

In response to the question as to why I would be freaked out about having it done in Mexico, because I don't speak spanish and would be going alone, just seems a little scary to me. I am researching like crazy though and going to a lap-band seminar on Monday to find out all I can. Thanks again.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had surgery here is Dallas, I went to Dr. Provost. The cost with everything was a little over $18,000. If you go let them know right away you would be a self pay, you will get in sooner.

Good Luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Danyielle,

I had my band implanted by Dr. Montgomery, in Kirkland Washington. It was $18,000 and included surgeons fees, hospital stay (one day), anestesiologist and one year of aftercare (fills ect). Outpatients there pay $17,200 (extra $800 for the one night in the hospital -- needed due to other conditions). I have still asked both the doc and hospital to submit a bill to insurance...who knows if they might pick up part. Good luck to you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Danyielle,

I was banded two weeks ago by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. I couldn't be happier! I wasn't "fat" or sick enough for insurance to even think of covering for a little of it. Dr. Ortiz and his facility are the best. Oh and by the way, I took the train from my home in Sunland to San Diego on Thursday, was picked up by their team, and was taken care of the whole time until they dropped me off on Sunday to take the train home---by myself. It was scary at first to think I was alone, but my cell phone still worked and I called all my friends, and then I wasn't alone. If you decide to do it, and need a hand to hold, I'm only about 3 hours away from San Diego, and wouldn't mind holding someone else's hand! (Although the staff did a great job!)

Take care!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded at The Wish Center in Tampa and an out of pocket patient pays around 16,000 and that also includes the support groups they have every month.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded by Dr. Spivak in Houston and paid cash. It cost $14,000, which included all fills for a year. However, an acquaintance just called him to inquire about it and she was quoted a price of $12,000. While doing your research on price, be sure to include costs of travel (if any), costs of fills, etc. I've been very happy with Dr. Spivak's surgical skill, his aftercare, and his office staff. He does not have a dietician, psychologist or any of that, but I don't feel I need this because I have learned so much online. If you can find a good, experienced band surgeon in Dallas, that would be the way to go. Good luck!

Nancy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Danyielle, I'm in Virginia, my doctor charged $4500.00, and my hospital bill, which includes pretesting, ekg, xrays, blood work, etc, anesth, 1 night stay..$10,500.00..in ADVANCE..cash or cashier's check.

Oh yea, my doctor's bill includes fills and follow up for a year.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded in TJ Mexico, and would do it again in a minute. I was treated much better in Mexico than here.

Staci

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It's always best to get banded locally, close to home. But if Mexico is your only choice, who said you have to go alone? People from this board go to Mexico all the time for fills, so maybe you can hook up with a band buddy that will meet you there to hold your hand. You don't have to speak Spanish since most doctors send a car to the airport to pick you up. The doctors and their staff all speak both English and Spanish and are very understanding of our American needs (most doctors, that is.)

I wish I could have afforded getting banded here in Vegas. I've been sitting here on hold trying to find out how much it currently costs, and I just choked on my own saliva! The hospital fee alone is $13,000, then you have to add in the surgeon's fees and the anesthesiologists. The surgeon's office wouldn't even quote me a fee, but they said the surgeon is about the same as the hospital.... choke choke.

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

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 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

    ×