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I paid 10,000 for the surgery itself, 4,000 for out patient testing which included everything since I’m getting it done in the us and they require so much (endoscopy, pulmonary, cardiac, psychology, stress test, sleep study, ect.) I also did labs. I got it all done at the surgeons practice. It was so convenient who was able to do it all in one place. I wanted to get it done quick and I have crappy insurance so I did not try to get it done for cheaper. My hospital stay and all the anesthesia for the surgery is 8,000.00. But since I’m paying out of pocket I was super picky and went with a surgeon who does the single incision gastric sleeve surgery so the surgery is virtually scarless. It’s expensive, but I am young and looking at this as an investment in myself and my future :)

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I am in Los Angeles and part covered by insurance and I have $3750 out of pocket. sleep study was with a little machine they sent home with me for one night.. so I can't see that being much.. endoscopy was $700 out of pocket.. but Hernia repair as well during my upcoming surgery..just had my last call with nutritionist to go over pre and post diet plans. Its getting so real!

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I wouldn’t pay triple the price to have it done in US. Seriously research Tijuana and the doctors there. Everyone I personally know that has VSG has went to Doctor Ponce. Im scheduled for August 31st. Cant wait!

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On ‎7‎/‎26‎/‎2018 at 7:58 PM, okayestmom said:

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

Hey, I'm also going through Dr Patel...Pending Insurance .. will know something any day now. How was your experience PreOp /Surgery/Postop?! Thanks :)

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Very positive experience. I have had some health issues after, but I am 47 and post menopause from hysterectomy . My thyroid function went back and forth for a bit. I never had an issue drinking or getting enough Protein. I did not lose as much as most people in the first 6 months. My exercise started getting worse and I was losing muscle. Things are looking up now though. Thyroid function is in the normal range and I started losing again. Back at the gym, but super sore. Started surgery at 209. Stayed at 180-185 for over 2 months. Now at 175. Waist went from 48 to 38. The only negative thing I can say is the binder with the nutrition info has things in there on the approved list that the surgeon does not want me to eat. Like nuts and cheese. The nutritionist also does not provide a calorie guideline because it is a “life style change”. The group meeting we were in post surgery was filled with people that could not get enough protein or Water, so they probably didn’t need a guide. I guess I was just hoping for more specific guidance.

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I went to Mexico (Tiajuana) and I have no regrets. My surgery was $4200. My insurance would have covered the surgery in the US, but I didn’t want to go through all those months of appointments. I am down 65 pounds since my pre-op started in late September.

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On ‎7‎/‎27‎/‎2018 at 8:22 AM, GassyGurl said:

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.

Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

I had Dr Shillingford for 10500. Included pre op testing, consult, 2 nights in hospital, anesthesiologist and all that good stuff and a year worth of follow up Appts.. tho after the first one I will consult by phone.. Nothing extra needed, no studies or evaluations.. He did an amazing job, the ladies in the office are amazing, and the hospital staff are awesome as well.

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9 hours ago, okayestmom said:

Very positive experience. I have had some health issues after, but I am 47 and post menopause from hysterectomy . My thyroid function went back and forth for a bit. I never had an issue drinking or getting enough Protein. I did not lose as much as most people in the first 6 months. My exercise started getting worse and I was losing muscle. Things are looking up now though. Thyroid function is in the normal range and I started losing again. Back at the gym, but super sore. Started surgery at 209. Stayed at 180-185 for over 2 months. Now at 175. Waist went from 48 to 38. The only negative thing I can say is the binder with the nutrition info has things in there on the approved list that the surgeon does not want me to eat. Like nuts and cheese. The nutritionist also does not provide a calorie guideline because it is a “life style change”. The group meeting we were in post surgery was filled with people that could not get enough Protein or Water, so they probably didn’t need a guide. I guess I was just hoping for more specific guidance.

Oh ok Thank... Did you do your surgery at the Southwest General Hospital?

Also, Were you told you HAD to buy their Bariatric Advantage Kit at the Pre-Op Class?!

Asking because I have preop tomrrw and was told that I Have* to buy the Bariatric Advantage Kit *($300) at the class or they will cancel/Reschedule surgery.... 😕

(I really dont have the extra funds due to the holidays) Ive seen a few ppl that have been through them, but they said they weren't forced to buy it....just asking!

Did they give you a binder for stomach, or do I need to buy one before?! Thanks! :)

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I did have to buy their kit. They did give me a binder for my stomach. My surgery was at their same day surgery outpatient clinic in San Antonio. Nicest most attentive nursing staff I have ever encountered.

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I had my VSG done by Dr. Jaime Ponce in Chattanooga for $12,000 plus a $250 consultation fee. This covered all the pre-op testing, etc. I had a one night stay in the hospital and all post-op visits are covered. All in all a great experience with almost no issues other than getting oral thrush and Constipation from the Iron supplements. I highly recommend his practice as the staff is extremely efficient and the hospital (CHI Memorial) was awesome.

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    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
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    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
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    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
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    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
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    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
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