Cost of surgery in Jonesboro, Memphis area with no insurance?

I would **** to here from someone that has has surgery done around this area about the cost and reccomendations on where the best place to go is?

Hi Holly, All I can tell you is from the info I got when I first started exploring WLS. The coordinator at St Vincent's told me if I paid ca**** would be about $17,000 total. This was including Dr Gibbs' fees, hospital stay, labs, etc. This was about 18 months ago, so it's probably changed. Hope this is what you were looking for. Susan

I have not had my surgery yet, but I had to pay Dr. Gibbs $1618.99, and that was my 20% plus my $1000.00 deductible. So I am guessing the the total was around $3000.00. That is just for the doctor. I don't know how much the hospital is going to be. Just to throw this in, my husband had his surgery, open RYN, in Shreveport little over two years, and the total for the doctor, hospital, anesthia, pain meds, private room, etc... was a total of about $40,000.00., at least that is what all the bills we received added up to. You may check with what ever hospital you decide on, I know at the seminar Baptist offers a discount on cash pay patients. As far as doctors, Dr. Baker and Dr. Gibbs are the only doctors I have heard of in Arkansas, but if you wanted to go to Louisana, Dr. Kenneth Jones is a wonderful doctor, he is the one who did my husbands. God Bless and Good Luck Cynthia

Hi Holly, I was a self-pay for Lapband in Little Rock almost 3 weeks ago. Dr. Wellborn was my surgeon and the total cost was $16,000 cash payment the day of my pretesting. I had my surgery the following morning. My surgery was a package deal and included everything including one night spent in the hospital. The one time payment also pays for all my follow up and band fills for a period of 18 months. In my case, I chose Little Rock because my work takes me all over the state and I don't know where I'll be from month to month, but Little Rock is centrally located and it wouldn't be more than a 3 hour drive from anywhere in the state. I will tell you that I am totally amazed by the surgery. I've lost 23 lbs. in 19 days. This time last year I was dieting diligently for SIX WEEKS and never lost a pound. I haven't been at my present weight in over 5 years!! And I can tell you it's not been from lack of trying to lose it. Seems like I've been on a diet my whole life. I've been very careful about following the rules and the weight is just falling off. I'm VERY happy I've got this tool to work with now. I plan to take care of my band, and my band will take care of me. My best friend had gastric bypass 2 years ago. She's lost 160 lbs, gotten married and is expecting their first child right now.....at the age of 38!! I wish you well in whatever you decide. You know your own body and you know what works and what doesn't.......so follow your heart and choose the tool that will work best for YOU. Vicky, Evening Shade AR

I had decided on gastric because I havent heard from anyone that has had lap band. That amount of weight in that smount of time is amazing. Do they have certain guid lines that they go by to qualify you. On the gastric from what I read your BMI needs to be 50 or 100lbs overweight. i am 5"5 and weight 220. My BMI is 36 point something. What hospital in Little Rock did you go to and how did you make an appointment? Thank You so much for your help. Holly Tyronza, AR

Hi Holly, I can give you the breakdown of costs from Dr. Gibbs in Little Rock. I know you're looking for info in the Jonesboro/Memphis area, but this might give you an idea of what to expect. GASTRIC BYPASS CASH FEES: 1. DR. GIBBS FEE: GASTRIC BYPASS: OPEN - $4000, W/GALLBLADDER REMOVAL - $4800, LAP - $6700, W/GALLBLADDER REMOVAL - $7873 LAP BAND: $5000 2. BAPTIST MEDICAL CTR: GASTRIC BYPASS: OPEN - $11,000 LAP - $14,500 LAP BAND - $10,000 PER DAY AFTER 6 DAYS - $1600 3. AHG ANESTHESIA - $1100 4. PATHOLOGY - $100-$200 5. INITIAL OFFICE VISIT - $186-$221 I hope this at least gives you a ballpark figure to work with. It is not cheap, but it is a worthy investment. You can also look into financing the surgery. This is a number given to me by Dr. Gibbs office: 1-877-559-5050. I do not know the name of the company I only have their number, but apparently they finance this type of surgery. These figures were given to me last November in case you're wondering. Take care, Denise

I am medicare and putting a supplement in place. Not sure if I will have a 3 month wait or not they told me to ask when I call for enrollment. I hope to have this done very soon but if it means the insurance would cover any balance, then it pays to wait I can see from the costs everyone is quoting! My concern is the fills. I have seen one post that said medicare wouldn't pay for them then another person wrote that they code hers a certain way and medicare does pay. Anyone with experience on Medicare and United Healthcare supplement through AARP? Carol Braman