Who was your Dr, and how much did it cost? I'll have to self pay

I live in Mandeville, I know there are some good lap band performing DRs in the area, but as high as 20grand from what I can find. Theres a guy in San Antonio, TX (Jorge Rincon) doing it for 12grand which I can swing, but would rather stay in LA.......any suggestions? Any info on Rincon? Im nervous, and clueless...even though Ive been researching this for nearly a year!!! Help!!!!!

Dr. Hargroder & Dr Bellanger are in Baton Rouge and their prices are about 11,900.00 for the VSG and Lap 12,900.00

Assuming you qualify for his outpatient surgery program, Dr. Lavin in Covington charges $13,500 for a 23-hour hospital stay, surgeon fees, anesthesiologist and 1 year of follow-up care/fills. His web address is www.whyweight.com.

I take that "qualifying" is tough?? WHats that all about?

Not necessarily. They just ask certain questions about your health history to determine if it's safe to do an outpatient surgery. It's for your own benefit, really. Plus, it allows them to make an educated decision so that they're confident that no complications will arise during surgery, requiring that you stay overnight. 

For example: Have you had previous abdominal surgeries resulting in excessive scar tissue? Do you have a history or high blood pressure in yourself or your family? Most people do qualify for their outpatient program. I wouldn't stress over it. I just wanted to make you aware. If you read the following info from their site, you'll have a better idea of what they're thinking. http://www.whyweight.com/PatientInformation/Financial.aspx

Hi.  I desperately want to have the DS, which Dr. Clark Warden in Covington who has done a lot of as well as RNY & Lap band.  When I called and told them that I was private pay, there was nothing said about qualifying.  Check your BMI and give them a call, tell them what type of surgery.  They will provide you all the information you could possibly need .   But I have never heard anyone say anything about qualifying other than your BMI and co-morbidities.

While the office staff may not tell you anything about qualifying for outpatient/self-pay surgery, you will still have to go through a question & answer session, which will then determine whether or not you qualify, health-wise, for their outpatient program. No doctor would blindly qualify someone for outpatient surgery WITHOUT asking about their health history. I'm not saying that it's a rigorous process, but it still happens, nonetheless.

FYI - this is an excerpt taken directly from Dr. Lavin's /Surgical Specialists of Louisiana's www.whyweight.com cash-pay page: For all cash pricing, certain medical criteria apply. **To determine if you meet criteria for bariatric surgery, make an appointment to be seen in our office. The fee for initial visit is $125. ** Not all patients will meet the criteria for this special pricing. http://www.whyweight.com/PatientInformation/Financial.aspx

OOOOOOOOOOOooppppppppppppppppppssssssssssssss.   I forgot to say: Before you decide on what surgery you want, do your research on all types of surgery that there is out there and there a number of them.  Go to the different forums and read the entries and see what problems others are having with each surgery and make an informed choice.  For me it is the Duodenal Switch.  For you it might be something else.  But do your research first.  Become an expert on WLS.  It is totally in your own best interest.  I am just waiting on getting my finances in place to have my surgery.  Good look in your search for information. Toogie

I had mine in Dec and the Lavin group (whyweight.com) was also $12,900 at that time (includes all the bells and whistles.) That would be pretty convenient for you. I had Dr. Thomas and he was great! Good luck, CJ