vsg, surgeon, and insurance

hello. this is my first time posting to any forum although i have been reading many post for almost a year.   i thought i wanted the lapband but have changed my decision and now i want to have the vsg surgery.  what i wanted to know is there any surgeons in alabama performing the vsg surgery and if so who are they and what type of insurance do they accept.                        

thanks for your reply.

I don't know about the vsg I am having the realize band . I just wanted to say hello and welcome .

thanks for the welcome vicki

First, welcome to the BAMA Board.  Dr. Andrew DeWitt in Birmingham is performing the Gastric Sleeve procedure.  As of right now, the insurance companies are not paying for this procedure.  I am sure that eventually they will just like they have for the Gastric Banding procedures (Realize and Lap-Band).  We have done several of the Gastric Sleeves and those patients have been "private or cash pay".  The cost for cash pay is $13,800.  This covers the hospital (Physicians Medical Center-Carraway), Dr. DeWitt's services, and the anesthesia group (Southern Perioperative).

I hope this information is helpful.  If you are interested in attending one of Dr. DeWitt's seminars please let me know.  You can pm here or email me at my office at:  [email protected].  My office number is (205) 502-4550.

Have a great day.

Stefanie :)

thanks for information.  i know someone that is a patient of dr dewitts.  i signed up for the seminar in august. hope to see you there.

I will be there.

Stefanie :)

Hello and welcome to the Alabama board!!  You have picked a really good surgeon and his coordinator, Stephanie is an angel on earth.  While it is true that some insurances are not yet covering the VSG, many are beginning to cover it.  Mine, BC/BS Carefirst (out of Maryland--where my company is based) has just added it as a covered WLS.  I think the doctor codes it as the first part of the DS.  Many times when one BC/BS starts covering something, many will follow suit.  Of course you didn't state what type insurance you have, but give it a try!  Never hurts to ask.  I think the VSG is a great choice for many.  It is a tool like any other type of WLS.  It helps get your weight down to a manageable level and the work is up to you.  While it does not have the malabsorption factor like the RNY and the DS, it still is very successful for many.

thanks kay for the welcome.  my insurance is bc/bs federal.  i hope that it will start as soon as possible.