Those of you who are self-payers...

CajunDisney · February 15, 2008

what is the cheapest price you have found? Do you know much about the doctor?

Found out yesterday that UHC will cover the procedure, but Office of Group Benefits (OGB) won't. OGB is the insurance for Louisiana state employees.

Still doing research, but looks like the only way to get this done is by being self-pay. Sucks!! So, I am trying to find the best deals. Not sure I can even afford to go this route, but I am exploring all options. I am so desperate to have this done...you just don't know.

Any and all advice and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

BTW...what is the average cost for a fill if I am self-pay?

gordonfamily3 · February 15, 2008

So sorry to hear that....sometimes insurance companies will approve if you have some major co-morbidities that the doctor is going to treat by doing the surgery.

I know in Charlotte, NC we have a doc that will do the band 15,900 and that includes the fills for the first year.

Good luck in your search!!!!

Ang1982 · February 15, 2008

If you want to get your's done within the US - Dr.Kirschenbaum in Denver is raved about and he is approx $9500.

I believe for fills you would be looking at approx anywhere from $125-200 per fill. Check out fillcenterusa website to see if there is one near you.

Sorry can't help much more than that as I am Canadian and my surgery cost includes fills for life.

Good luck in your journey!

vulnadia · February 15, 2008

i'm self pay in shreveport-mine is going to be right at 11000 (a little bit more, but its like 11100) + the cost of the pre-op testing- your insurance will most likely cover the preop testing parts & probably the fills too-my doc's office bills it as an ultrasound & injection & office visit i think is how they put it-

so its not that bad around here- there is a similar place down south i think in the baton rouge area that is also surgical specialists & they have a similar plan/price- it just depends on what part of the state you're in:biggrin:

kbinaz · February 15, 2008

My band was $11,500 and with everything included it came to around $15K (that was all the pre-op testing etc.) Be careful as you are checking prices and find out what exactly is included. My doctor has a very intensive education program, a nutritionist, exercise physiologists etc. and I get their services free. All my fills are free the first year. The main thing for me though, would be to make sure whoever you go to is a good educator. I see people on this sight all the time who don't even know what they are supposed to be eating post-surgery and I can't imagine having a doctor just do surgery on me and send me home. The lap band has a real learning curve and there are lots of things you need to know before going into this so make sure you find a doctor with a good program. (a good thing to check is for centers that have been named "Center of Excellence" that means they have passed a number of criteria for being a really good gastric surgery practice.)

jnbwilds · February 15, 2008

I did self-pay and my doctor is about 2 miles from my house! (Looking forward to actually walking or biking there when it warms up!) I paid $15,300, and it was worth every penny. (that also includes a year's worth of fills & appointments) I've seen it advertised cheaper - especially in Mexico, but I'd much rather pay a bit more and have my doctor convenient for fills, questions, & support.

Writing the check was hard - but we took it from long term savings, and I knew if I kept going the way I was - I wouldn't be around in the "long term".

I'd pick a doctor you feel comforable with and who is close to you anyday over a savings of a few thousand. Good luck!!

Christal · February 15, 2008

Mine was $8000, plus airline tickets to San Diego. I had it done in Mexico and fills are included for the first year if you can get back there often. I am pleased with everything. I stayed in a real hospital for 2 days and had great care. I have my fills done through fillcentersusa and they cost $155.

cara51183 · February 15, 2008

I am self pay and I plan to go to Dr. Kirshenbaum. His cost is $9950 and includes all the surgery center, surgery assistants, and surgery doctors. It also includes 3 fills, after those fills are only $15. I live in west texas and even with travel to and from a few times it is a cheaper option. I figure that after the first 3 fills or so I will go to a doc locally. Fills for me locally will cost about 200. Also, they do preop consultations over the phone, so all you have to do is show up the day before surgery.

Hope this helps!

katrose · February 15, 2008

I went to Mexico to Dr Jose Rodriguez. It was 7250.00. I had no problems or complaints. Look into it. It was totally worth it to me.

CajunDisney · February 16, 2008

I went to Mexico to Dr Jose Rodriguez. It was 7250.00. I had no problems or complaints. Look into it. It was totally worth it to me.

This was surgery only and not the cost of getting to mexico, right?

katrose · February 16, 2008

The flight is seperate, but you fly into San Antonio, get in touch with Barbara Lozier her no is 2107891434. They pick you up at the airport. They put you in a nice hotel. They give you a great q& a session the night before. They take you to the hospital in Mexico, you spend the night, they drive you back to the hotel you spend the night then you are taken to the airport the next day. All of that is covered in the price. Barbara is wonderful. She will answer all your questions and is a lot of help.

WASaBubbleButt · February 16, 2008

I went to Mexico. I paid $7800 but now that J&J is out they are giving docs a break on the cost of the band as a promotion and most docs are passing the savings on to the patient (well, they are in Mexico). My doc was Aceves out of the San Diego airport and for J&J it is $7250. A friend is getting banded Friday but I believe she is opting for Inamed.

Regardless of where you go please read my sig link.

CajunDisney · February 16, 2008

I went to Mexico. I paid $7800 but now that J&J is out they are giving docs a break on the cost of the band as a promotion and most docs are passing the savings on to the patient (well, they are in Mexico). My doc was Aceves out of the San Diego airport and for J&J it is $7250. A friend is getting banded Friday but I believe she is opting for Inamed.
Regardless of where you go please read my sig link.

Wow! The link in your signature is awesome! Fantastic information! Thanks for sharing and for all the hard work you put into that.

The flight is seperate, but you fly into San Antonio, get in touch with Barbara Lozier her no is 2107891434. They pick you up at the airport. They put you in a nice hotel. They give you a great q& a session the night before. They take you to the hospital in Mexico, you spend the night, they drive you back to the hotel you spend the night then you are taken to the airport the next day. All of that is covered in the price. Barbara is wonderful. She will answer all your questions and is a lot of help.

Let me see if I understand...you fly from San Antonio to Mexico, right? If so, do you have a ballpark figure for the cost of the flight. If I could calculate approximate flight costs, I could see if it is cheaper to go to Mexico or stay here in US.