<p>Hello All,</p> <p> </p> <p>I know several of you have said that you went through Dr. Malley in Kansas. I am signed up to attend a seminar next month and am VERY ready to go forward with the process... my only question is that mine will be a self-pay so I am curious as to how long... and how much I will be looking at. Any insight on Dr. Malley is appreciated!</p> <p> </p> <p>Allyson<img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/confused.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Confused" smilieid="11" class="inlineimg" /></p> Should be Dr. Malley in the title

<p>Hello All,</p> <p> </p> <p>I know several of you have said that you went through Dr. Malley in Kansas. I am signed up to attend a seminar next month and am VERY ready to go forward with the process... my only question is that mine will be a self-pay so I am curious as to how long... and how much I will be looking at. Any insight on Dr. Malley is appreciated!</p> <p> </p> <p>Allyson<img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/confused.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Confused" smilieid="11" class="inlineimg" /></p> Should be Dr. Malley in the title

Hi Ally! I'm a self-pay and from my personal experience, everything from the first initial seminar to the surgery date was about a month. I went to the seminar, had the consult a couple days after that, then was scheduled for surgery at the end of the month. If you're self-pay, they'll schedule you in as soon as possible so it really depends on how busy their surgery schedule is. So far, I've had nothing but a wonderful experience with Dr. Malley and his staff, they are very supportive and are easy to talk to. The hospital I am going to also had nothing but good things to say about him, so I feel confident I went with the right doctor! As far as how much, they'll discuss it at the seminar but roughly you're looking at $5,000 (Dr. Malley) + $10,000 (Hospital) + $1,200 (Anesthesia) = $16,200. Hope this helps!

Which hospital are you going through? Also, do you know anything about financing? I was also possibly looking at that as a payment option... i KNOW my insurance won't cover it. It won't cover anything it seems haha.

Also, what does that all cover? As far as fills... etc? I guess my question is... roughly what am I looking to spend in the first year.

Which hospital are you going through? Also, do you know anything about financing? I was also possibly looking at that as a payment option... i KNOW my insurance won't cover it. It won't cover anything it seems haha.

Also, what does that all cover? As far as fills... etc? I guess my question is... roughly what am I looking to spend in the first year.

My procedure is at Heartland Spine & Specialty Hospital. Chances are, if you're self pay or going through insurance other than Blue Cross you'll end up at HSSH. If you're Blue Cross, you'll be at Menorah Hospital where surgeries with Dr. Malley are booked up until the new year! I went to HSSH for my pre-surgery exam and it was a beautiful hospital. The nurses and staff and really really nice and each room is private so you don't have to share a room with anyone else. A lot of people that have gone there have had really good experiences and people who haven't have said it's a great hospital.

As far as financing, Dr. Malley's office doesn't offer that. But, at the seminar, there is a company that offers financing and the rep will most likely be there to help answer questions afterwards. Though, when I asked the rep about financing, the APR rate was comparable to opening up a credit card, so you might as well open a credit card where you can earn some airline miles. I understand the insurance situation. They'll make you jump through hoops and there is so much waiting and sometimes disappointment and frustration when trying to get them to cover this type of procedure.

The cost I mentioned earlier is for the consultation with the doctor that you will go to after the seminar, the procedure itself, the hospital fees (including an overnight stay), anethesia and a year of fills. Oh, of course you probably know but the seminar is free but when you go to the consultation there is a $150 fee. If you decide to go with Dr. Malley, when you pay him for the surgery, the $150 consultation fee will be subtracted because it's included and you will have already paid for it when you went to your consulation.

Thank you so much! That helped alot! I am going to the seminar this coming Saturday (7/28/07) and am very excited!

Thank you so much! That helped alot! I am going to the seminar this coming Saturday (7/28/07) and am very excited!

I'm glad I was of some help. I've learned a lot here at the forum. Good luck with the seminar, you'll have to come back and tell us what you thought of it.

I noticed we're about the same age, are you done with school? I was just wondering because it sounded like you were wanting it done pretty soon, so I thought perhaps you were avoiding having it done later during the school year. I know I am!

I had actually planned to take the fall semester off (we just relocated here from Mississippi) so the time frame makes it so that going ahead with the surgery now... would mean I have a firm grasp on things by the new year. I will definately let you guys know how the meeting goes!

Hi Ally and CityGirl,

I just had the procedure at Heartland Spine and Specialty on Tuesday. The Dr and hospital staff were just wonderful. They were all kind, caring and very attentive to any need I had. HIGHLY recommended. I'm a bit older than you young'uns so I'm still trying to get all of the anesthesia out of my system, but so far so good. The 5 surgical "holes" are minimal and it seems Dr Malley has quite a fine stitching technique. Other than a little bruising, they are flat and straight. I'm sure they will fade away easily. Feel free to ask me any questions, I'll be glad to help if I can.

Rep

Oh thats great to hear that everything went so smoothly for you! You get some good rest and keep us posted on your progress!

Hi Ally and CityGirl,

I just had the procedure at Heartland Spine and Specialty on Tuesday. The Dr and hospital staff were just wonderful. They were all kind, caring and very attentive to any need I had. HIGHLY recommended. I'm a bit older than you young'uns so I'm still trying to get all of the anesthesia out of my system, but so far so good. The 5 surgical "holes" are minimal and it seems Dr Malley has quite a fine stitching technique. Other than a little bruising, they are flat and straight. I'm sure they will fade away easily. Feel free to ask me any questions, I'll be glad to help if I can.

Rep

Congrats with your new band! I hope you have a speedy recovery. I'm scheduled for surgery July 31st. I'm so excited. I've heard nothing but good things about Dr. Malley so with your added good words about him, I'm feeling even more confident with choosing him.

I'm deathly afraid of pain and the thought of going under. I've never had surgery before, not even dental work like having wisdom teeth pulled out! Just wondering if you felt any pain? How was it going under and waking up?

Hey banders, I've been chatting with allymb for a couple days now. It's good to get some other input about Dr. Malley as well. I'm also heading to the seminar this coming weekend and am SO extatic!

Replicatr you will have to fill us in with your whole recovery... I'm a little older as well, so I'm sure I will relate once my process has started rolling... as it were.

citygirl I have to admit that I'm a little freaked about the whole thing too, but this is a MAJOR step toward the next chapter in your life. So I know that you will do great. Do you have a good support system around you, friends and family, not to mention some good old fashion prayer... LOL Hang in there.