Any testimonials for Drs. in Louisiana???

I am centrally located between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.  Can anyone give me testimonials about a Dr. that they used in the southern region of Louisaina (Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lake Charles, etc.) and what the cost was if you were a cash pay??
Thanks in advance!!

My surgeon was Dr. Richardson at Ochsner Main Campus in New Orleans. He was absolutely fabulous!!  His assistant is Amber whom you usually see for the visits and she is great as well!!  I am totally happy with my decision and my surgeon!  good luck

My surgeon will be Dr Phillip Gachassin in Lafayette.  I am self pay VSG and his price is $11,500.  I believe the Lap Band is around $16,000 and Bypass is about $20,000.

He has a team concept.  He has someone who does Nutrition, Excercize person, a Financial person, a Behaviorial Modification person.  They have info seminars monthly at Lafayette General Medical Center and support group meetings after the seminars. 

The price of the VSG, pays for hospital, surgeon fees and followup visits for a year.  I have only heard good things about Dr Gachassin.  I was very comfortable when I met him at the seminar and my first pre-op visit.

Hope you can find a Dr. who you have confidence in.

Marlene

I just wanted to say hello!!! I too used Dr.G & I have been more then pleased with him, his staff, his professionalism, there is nothing that I can say bad about my whole experience from start to finish. I would suggest that you go to the monthly meeting they are such a great motivation up keep!!! Take care & maby we'll meet at a meeting one day..lol...
Katherine

Marlene, i see you had Dr Gachassin..he recently did my gall bladder and i chose him also..i go to seminar next weekend and he said i can have my surgery in august..i am also doing the sleeve so i was quite thrilled to hear the info on selfpay b/c my insurance will not pay for it.  did you sign up for payment plan??  How was the surgery and how are you doing??  I would appreciate any info b/c i am so nervous but really excited at same time.  Its all i think about now.  I am ready to get my life back..Hope you are doing well!
Thanks, Gigglee

Gigglee,

I am so happy with Dr G.  Loved him since the seminar and his team concept is wonderful.  The women on his team are great.  I had my surgery on 4-20-10.  I lost 27 lbs between my first surgery consult on 3-1-10 and the day before my surgery.  Since my surgery I have lost 36 lbs for a total of 63 lbs so far.  

As I mentioned, I was self pay.  I looked into a payment plan with Iberia Bank near the hospital but I chose to use my credit card because I had some special checks that I could have used with 0% for 8 months.  I only had to finance about $3000 as I had some savings, my income tax refund, cashed in a CD and borowed on my life insurance policies.  I figured that I could pay off the $3000 in 8 months and not have to pay any interest.  I have not regretted my decision to have the surgery and to self pay. 

I would recommend that you attend the support group meetings if possible.  It's great to meet with other people who have the same surgery as you will have.  I also love this website and others.  I watch the videos on btv.com and love the recipes on theworldaccordingtoeggface.com

Hope your surgery is successful.

Marlene

My surgeon will be Dr. Lavin, in Covington.
I love everyone at their office--they are wonderful!

 I love Dr. Richardson at Ochsner.  He did my RNY in Nov. 2008, and then removed my gallbladder in Nov. 2009.  If I ever need another surgery, I am going back to him.

My Surgeon was Dr. Mark Hausmann in Baton Rouge. He is with the Surgeons Group of Baton Rouge. I found him to be excellent and very attentive. I had insurance that covered my surgery 100% so I am not sure of the cost if you pay cash. Everyone in his office are excellent tho.

I used Dr Andrew Hargroder, he was awesome, his office was geat, not too crazy about his PA but she was workable I had a DS done and I would do it again tomorrow. DS is such a great surgery compared to others out there. Do your research. I paid cash because my insurance would not cover it. Total for everything was 22,000. He has cash pay packages including his charges, and hospital charges, all inclusive kind of like "club med" LOL He has a web site he has several offices now I think. When I used him he was in Baton Rouge. No complicaions, I've not heard anything bad about him before or since my surgery. I had my surg. by lap procedure, 2 nights in the hospital, pulled my drains and removed my staples before I even left the hospital. No infection, no problems. He's office responds quickly to anything you need. Hope this helps.
Christa