will have to self pay for procedure and have questions re: cost

and I was wondering has anyone else done so, how much? Where?

Hi maura I wish I was able to self pay aetna denied me now I am appealing I am doing the 6 month diet with doctor I work for bp/amoco not sure if it is their exclusion or aetna why were you denied? Please don't give up I am still fighting

Hi Cathy, I had to do a re-fi on my house to get the $$$. I am told that Aetna excludes the procedure. I have heard if you have a PPO instead of an HMO they will cover it. but I work in insurance, and our agent says there is NO policy any more that covers it. But it seems like lots of people on this website are having it done thru their insurance. Oh well. Thank God I had a way to get the $$$. Seems like bp amoco would be a fairly large group, I'm surprised its not covered. I say a prayer for you. Thanks, Maura

Maura, I self paid in April of 2004, with Dr. Haicken, in Clearwater Fl. The Hospital was $12,000, the Surgeon was $6,000, the anesthesiologist was aboiut $1,000. My insurance paid for all of my testing except for my Psych eval, I think that was about $200.00. Plus I had co-pays for all of my office visits. Good luck, Steve

Hi Maura, I was self pay for laparoscopic RNY, I had it done with Dr.Marema who also does the surgery at holy cross hospital in fort lauderdale. It cost me total 21,600. If you have any questios feel free to email me. Good Luck, April

I am also a self pay patient and I am going to Tijuana to have the lap band inserted by Dr. Ariel Ortiz. He is a guru on the subject, his credentials are numerous. Here the total cost was $17,000 (and thats after calling aound). There is is $8500. Surgery date 3/1/06

I was a self pay patient with Dr. Marema in Ft. Lauderdale at Holy Cross Hospital. He was fantastic and I would definately recomend him to anyone! It cost me about 23,500 including the program fees. US BAriatrics has one of the most complete pre and post surgery care and education. Please fell free to email me if you would like, I would happily answer any questions. I am 6 months post op and down 115 lbs. I had the Laproscopic RNY Gastric Bypass surgery.

I work with Dr Bob Marema and Dr. Keith Kim in Celebration. Let me know which surgery you are considering, and I'll send you a self-pay breakdown for surgeon/program; hospital (including some pre-op tests); psych eval; and anesthesia. Kristen

WOW! thanks, Just today my pcp reccomended dr. Marema or dr. Wizman [sp?] Is dr Marema in Ft laud at Holy Cross? Please do send a breakdown. Is it possible to have my pcp order the pre op tests to save $$$? Thanks so much, Maura

Lap band with Dr.Mac is $15,500. that covers everthing with 4 fills. you still need to pay for shrink thou. Lisa