Options for Self-Pay (Dallas)

realme · May 6, 2008

Hello to all the fabulous people out there.

This is my first post here on this forum. I have been thinking of getting lap band for past 3 months and was even preparing for all the documentations that insurance companies might need to approve me, but today I came to know that my insurance company does not cover this (I should have find out about this first). :thumbup:

Anyways, my husband and I have decided to self pay. I have read posts at various places in the forum and trying to compile following

1. List all the doctors in Dallas Area

2. Find out the prices

3. Find out the various packages (hmm I notice comparing by price is not enough as there might be different facilities in these packages)

4. financing Options.

5. Misc. - Reputation, experience, service, etc.

If you could share any of the above information or know a resource that would be useful in compiling above information that would really help. It will help me make a more informed decision.

Best,

Realme

danyel723 · May 6, 2008

Well I'm not sure how far you want to travel. I am from Detroit and here at Harper hospital they are running a spring special for 9,900. I just had my surgery done there on the 30th of april and had a great experience there. I know a lot of people come from all over the to have their surgeries done there. It took only 2 weeks from my first phone call till the time I was having my surgery. Hopefully some of this was helpful, and if there is anything else I can help you with let me know.

Take care and good luck,

Danielle

TexGal · May 6, 2008

I also am self pay and I am having my surgery done in Houston. By Dr. Garth Davis. His father and him do the t.v. show on TLC called Big Medicine. He is awesome. My surgery will be 11,900 and is being done at a new five-star hospital. If you need any information on this you can contact me anytime. I guess it would be about a 4 hour drive for you, but I know that people come to him from all over, because he is worth it.

realme · May 6, 2008

Thanks for responding,

This sound wonderful. My concern is other costs such as travel, stay and every month visits for fills, that might increase the cost. Also more importantly I am scared - if god forbid any complication happens post surgery, then I should be able to reach out to my doctor immediately.

Lori in Cali · May 6, 2008

bariatric surgeons in Texas and includes their credentials, how many of each type of surgery they have performed, where they went to school, what their professional affiliations are and reviews from their patients. For instance, here's Dr. Wade Barker's page:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeon+profile+Wade+Barker+dhs.html

Using the list should probably allow you to assemble a lot of information over one afternoon. Here's all of the doctors for Texas. Good luck!

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/TX/a,doclisting/type,46/

realme · May 8, 2008

Thanks Lori for the resource. After spending two days of extensive research we finally made the decision. I am going to be banded on 2nd June (feeling strange and scared)

I hope everything turns out well.

U_go_gurl68 · May 12, 2008

So where did you decide to go and what rate did you get? I too, am trying to research and decide on which physician to choose. Don't necessarily want to choose an office because the price is cheap, but on the services offered before and after surgery.

realme · May 13, 2008

Hi there,

I decided to go with TCL Edge. Their rates are reasonable. I was talking to Dr. Cribbins too. I liked the staff and Dr. I believe Dr. who would be doing my surgery is also a reputed doctor. So it doesnot matter. TCL was offering me 2K less. As far as service Pre and Post - they seem good but it is too early to comment.

ImGonnaLose · May 13, 2008

I've chosen Dr Nick Nicholson in Plano. I'm hoping to have surgery on June 19th. His cash-pay price is $15k, which includes fills for life, as well as coverage for complications that can be fixed on an out-patient basis.

-Marianne