any late nighters out there?

I went to Dr. Hodges/Edwards free seminar at St. Johns tonight. Dr. Edwards wasn't there, but Dr. Hodges was and he seemed very nice. He quoted the same $25,000 cash price that I'd heard once before for the RNY. He said that some of the programs in St. Louis and Columbia were probably cheaper but that management at St. Johns(?) was reviewing their costs and implied that they may be working on a lower price. Has anyone had a self pay somewhere other than St. Johns? I really got a good feeling about the program in Springfield and follow up appointments would certainly be easier. It's so frustrating to not be allowed to even pay the (lower) price that medicare and insurance companies get by with paying. I've been able to liquidate some assets and have figured out how to come up with $15,000, but it's getting very hard to come up with anymore! Mexico is sounding better and better...... It shouldn't be this hard to help yourself get healthy!

I was about to resort to Mexico too! Luckily our insurance changed and we had a 70/30 plan that allowed WLS. (we paid 30%) WORTH EVERY PENNY! Anyway, I think that since you live in Mansfield, having your surgery at St John's compared to St Louis, etc would be sucha better option. Dealing with all that travel would be a real pain. Is it possible to haggle a price with the surgeon??? Not sure how to go about doing that, but I know people have gotten lower prices from doctors just by asking. Cash talks! I'm new to Missouri, but I've been to Mansfield, isn't that where Laura Ingalls Wilder lived? I did the tour of her house. My sister in law owns forty acres near the Stone house that she lived in at one time. Take care and good luck, this process can be emotionally and physically draining, but keep trying, it will be so worth it in the long run! ~~Take care, Kristen