Hello all!

Considering gastric sleeve.

Curious to know about any “self pay” experiences, avg cost, was it what you expected? Did the doc/staff/financial people communicate well?

Also- does everyone have to do a sleep study, pre procedure items, or are some of those waived in certain instances.

I have been in counseling, on a VLCD for 5 yrs without success, and age 30, considered “low BMI”surgical candidate. I wouldn’t think I would need a psych evaluation and a sleep study. Want to save $$$.

Any thoughts???

I was self pay. I paid 10500. I still had to do a stress test and egd. I feel that since I was self pay I had to do alot of research and learning on my own. My surgery was outpatient. Everything went very well.

I was self pay. I paid 10500. I still had to do a stress test and egd. I feel that since I was self pay I had to do alot of research and learning on my own. My surgery was outpatient. Everything went very well.

Thanks for your response!
10500 seems great! Where did you get yours if you don’t mind me asking - where I am, the avg is over 15k.

Did you have to do a sleep study?
Did they let you do labs at your regular doctor to help you save money?

I’m self pay. Mine is $14,900. Also have to buy their pre-op diet food which is $98/week.

I didn’t have to do a sleep study or really any other testing. I did get an endoscope done since my insurance covered it.

You’re pcp can do the lab work or if you need any other labs done for wherever you go, you can usually go to your own lab if insurance will cover that as well.

I’m getting my surgery done at JourneyLite in Cincinnati. :)

I was self pay and I had to do the sleep study, nut meetings & psych eval. Regardless of how it’s paid for, they want to ensure you’re ready for this. I only paid 3K out of pocket but I had a hernia repair same time that insurance did pay for.

Self pay- Texas Bariatric Specialists - Dr. Reddy

Surgery $8,999 and they repaired my hernia as well, no extra charge!

Sleep study $375

Psych Eval $199

EKG $67

Chest X Ray $133.77

Swallow Study $250

Nutrition $50

The rest was meds and labs

Yes, other than labs everyone can see now how much insurance jacks up the prices!

total $12,900

Edited July 27, 20188 yr by okayestmom
Typo and addition

Thanks for your response!
10500 seems great! Where did you get yours if you don’t mind me asking - where I am, the avg is over 15k.

Did you have to do a sleep study?
Did they let you do labs at your regular doctor to help you save money?

I had mine done in dallas tx with dr frenzel. He did not require me to a sleep study just a egd and stress test. I did all my labs through my pcp.

My insurance excludes weight loss surgery so I was self pay for the most part. My surgeon does all inclusive VSG as outpatient for $8995. I did have a hiatal hernia so I paid $4,500 and the rest should be covered by insurance. I did have to do psych test (kind of a joke) and one meeting with nutritionist. That was it. Less than two months from informational meeting to surgery.

My insurance excludes weight loss surgery so I was self pay for the most part. My surgeon does all inclusive VSG as outpatient for $8995. I did have a hiatal hernia so I paid $4,500 and the rest should be covered by insurance. I did have to do psych test (kind of a joke) and one meeting with nutritionist. That was it. Less than two months from informational meeting to surgery.

Yea my insurance excludes it too, so I’m trying to do my homework and get the best deal. The kicker is, I am a physician assistant who works for a Bariatric physician (non surgical) and have been on a vlcd for 5 years with little success. So all I really need is the procedure...

I was self pay. Mine was 12,000 all together with hospital, doc, anesthesiologist everything.

I had mine done in ft Lauderdale FL for $9000 (was a special). There are several drs who are under around 11k . Bariatrix Fl is who I used. My insurance covered all preop testing. EKG, bloodwork, psych eval. I travelled on Thursday, had surgery Friday. paid for 2 nights in the hospital, however only stayed 1. Follow up in office Monday, then traveled home. Dr shillingford is another surgeon in the area that has a good self pay rate.

I paid 13500 for mine (plus some extra for testing), but if I could re-do, I would go to mexico and save the extra money for plastic surgery

I paid 13500 for mine (plus some extra for testing), but if I could re-do, I would go to Mexico and save the extra money for plastic surgery

I’m a little wary of going to a different country- have you heard feedback from anyone who got their surgery done outside of the Us?

I had mine done in ft Lauderdale FL for $9000 (was a special). There are several drs who are under around 11k . Bariatrix Fl is who I used. My insurance covered all preop testing. EKG, bloodwork, psych eval. I travelled on Thursday, had surgery Friday. paid for 2 nights in the hospital, however only stayed 1. Follow up in office Monday, then traveled home. Dr shillingford is another surgeon in the area that has a good self pay rate.

Any chance you have a website or link I could look into?

Many,many testimonials on Mexico on this board. This page is affiliated with bariatric pal in mx. Read here, plus watch some of dr illans you tube videos. Also dr Ariel ortiz at the obesity control center. Totally will put your mind at ease.

Any chance you have a website or link I could look into?

I used bariatrix. http://drwizman.com/
There was 2 surgeons, I used dr taggar ;but he recently moved closer to his family. Everyone loves dr wizman.

https://www.drshillingford.com/ dont know much about him, but when I was researching, everything was favorable. He has prices on his website.