Question:
Has anyone done a self pay in Northern Virginia?

My insurance, Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield, will not pay for my surgery because I do not have a BMI of 40. My BMI is 36. I want to self-pay now rather than wait until I hit a BMI of 40 (which I will if I don't get this surgery.) Does anyone have any idea how much it costs to self-pay? Thank you.    — Kathleen C. (posted on May 1, 2006)

April 30, 2006
I believe the surgery can cost up to $25,000. That is what I was told by my surgeron.
   — danals24

April 30, 2006
Kathleen: Greetings from South Florida. I transplanted here from the Maryland suburbs of DC (just cross the river from you). I recently had surgery here at Cleveland Clinic near Fort Lauderdale, and was self pay. The total for lap gastric bypass was $25,000, which included all pre-op tests, shrink, hospital stay and follow-ups. I am 3 weeks post op today and have lost about 25 pounds. If you can swing it, I highly recommend you proceed with self pay. Good luck. John
   — John Hoffmann

April 30, 2006
Here in Colorado, the cost could be up to 35,000. However you will need at least 15k back up for any emergencies that could pop up. It cost me for each stricture I had 3500. If you get a hernia, it could could cost at least 3-5k. Good luck \ Steve
   — Steve Cohen

April 30, 2006
Hi Kathleen, You know - self-pay depends on which surgery you pursue and which surgeon. When I was seeking a self-pay solution since my insurance companies (yes - more than one!) had an airtight exclusion on any treatment related to weight - even though I was more than 200 lbs overweight, with severe co-morbidities, and five letters of medical necessity from my health care team - I was quoted as little as $12,000 by one surgeon, and as much as $200,000 by another. The differences were influenced greatly by type of procedure, my co-morbidities, the skill of the surgeon, etc. I ended up choosing Dr. Aniceto Baltasar in Alcoy, Spain - and I'm so grateful he accepted me as a patient, too! His level of expertise is very high - he is on the standards committee of the ASBS, is the past president of the IFSO, founder and past president of SECO, as well as has been the recipient of many commendations for his work in the field of bariatrics. I knew his level of skill was what I needed (and my doctors confirmed this), but I was worried that because of that skill level, the cost would be prohibitive. However, because the surgery was in Spain it was VERY affordable! For everything - all tolled - travel, surgery expenses, lodging, etc. I paid $15,800. That was nearly 4 years ago. I've lost 210 lbs, a boatload of co-morbidities, and have a quality of life that I never dreamed possible. Do your homework! Choose your surgery and your surgeon carefully. Remember that WLS is about the rest of your life! Be certain that you will be happy with the post-op lifestyle modifications that will be necessary from the time of surgery forward. This is a huge decision! If you'd like to know more about Dr. Baltasar, you can go to www.drbaltasar.com and if you'd like to see my pictures, you can go to www.bodybybaltasar.com and go to the Photo Gallery - look for my name and that's where you'll find them! Best of luck to you! Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

May 1, 2006
I am 3 weeks post-op, and self-paid for my RNY. The total cost, all inclusive, was almost 23,000. My insurance did pay for the pulmonary eval. Also, I've been told that even if they don't pay for the surgery, most insurance companies will pay for complications if they arise later. It was totally worth it to me. Also, be aware that if you choose to go overseas or to Mex., many surgeons here will not do your followup care.
   — nicolerod

May 1, 2006

   — [Deactivated Member]

May 1, 2006
Without insurance mine would of been $37,000 including all the labs and anesthesiologist(sp)
   — speciallady

May 3, 2006
Okay. I had Lap RNY with Dr. Moazzez in Fair Oaks Hospital two weeks ago yesterday. So these figures are as current as current gets. Consult: $500 (submitted to insurance, denied) PRE OP TESTING: (I think people sometimes fail to take this into consideration) $1986.40 for EGD $1178.91 for central testing (gallbladder sonogram, blood work, urinalysis, chest x ray and nurse interview) $2500 anesthesiologist $5500 surgeon's fee $14000 hospital stay Grand Total: $25665.31 With this are included three months of visits to the surgeon. Don't know how much they are after, but it's about three months where they become fewer and farther between.
   — ~ Julie ~

May 4, 2006
I was recently quoted that Johnson Memorial in Franklin, IN is doing selfpays for $22,000. It include all fees, test and surgery.
   — jstplainwyrd1956

May 20, 2006
Look up Dr. Eric Pinnar in Reston, VA. His price for lab band including hospital is 16,500. My surgery is 5/26/2006
   — swilson1957

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