Please Help looking for Oklahoma Doc

Hi I am new here. Live in Oklahoma. I have been reserching lap Band and I think that it is something that Will work for me! Problem now is, my insurance will not cover wls surgery, so looks like I will be paying on my own. So where do I go now to get help, Is there anyone that has been thru this and can share your experience an how you financed your surgery? What is the cost that I can expect. I am not poor but I dont have $20,000 just laying around.I would have to beg and borrow. An who would be a good doc for this procedure. I am 54, 5'4 and weigh 230 my bmi is 39.5 I have type II diabetes and high blood pressure. It is time that I do something for myself. so please anyone that can help point me in the right direction HELP HELP!!!!!!!!!!!Thanks

What area of Oklahoma do you live in?

I live in Enid.

Hi Charlene, I'm Evie and I was pretty much in the same finacial situation with the surgury. There are additional options to staying in state. It took a bit of a leap of faith for me, but I decided on Mexico. I had lap RnY. The cost of flying down there, the surgury, surgeons, assistants, blood work, etc, 4 nights in the hospital and a few days recovery at a 5 star hotel ran me $12,000. I had my surgury done by Dr. Joya and everything I mentioned is included in that price. The only extra's I had to pay for was companion air fare. I had to get over all the 'horror stories' you hear on the media. Logically, there are always quacks out there. Both sides of the border. Have a friend who's doctor here screwed up on a number of paitents while he was 'learning.' Thankfully he didn't pass to become fully accrediated. This is just all my logical mind working so I'd be comfortable going. I can be such a worry wort. But lots of people do go down to Mexico for affordable health care. Deeper in the heart of Mexico, it is very different from the border towns next to the states. If Mexican doctors were killing or hurtings so many US citizens, we'd have some sort of group protesting it and it'd be in the media alot. The medical industry is big money here. The biggest cost unfortunately here is malpractice insurance for our docs. What would it do to the medical community in the states if people here just started going over there because they found out they can receive the same services, far better care at a much better price? I was very shocked when I got to the hospital. It was spotless and bright and cheerful. I swear, they mop twice a day it seems. It's not a huge hospital, so you get very personal attention. Everytime there was a shift change, the new nurse or doctor would come greet me and check on everything. The nurse station is literally 3 feet from your door. They're helpful and sweet. Once I was let go from the hospital and sent to the hotel, a doctor was sent every morning to check on my progress. I actually stayed at the hotel 10 days and every morning I got a doctor visit. One evening my drainage bag was just hurting me and I called the hospital. Less than an hour later about 10pm, there was the doctor at my door with a pain shot. He gave me his home and cell number if I was in any more pain. The medical community down there seem to really enjoy their work. I was worried about the language barrier, but most speak a little english. Just something to consider, going South of the Border is a very good option. There is a South of the Border message board and you can talk to lots of folks who have gone. Oh yes, one more thing, good doctors in Mexico generally have far more experience with these surguries. They've been doing them longer too. Hope that helps. Evie (280/240/145)

Our program will have a seperate financing option as well as insurance assistance. We will be doing surgeries in the Oklahoma City area by February 2006. Please feel free to come to one of our Support Group meetings as you can obtain a great deal of knowledge there. We have a large number of people who have already undergone surgery who could help guide you down the right path. Also, you can feel freet o call our office next week and speak with Marilyn Minter 405-286-4830. WeightWise Bariatric Program invites you to our support group meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 6 "Special Guest Speaker" Gene Lymon with Bariatrix Foundation Surgery Affiliates Corporate Office 13900 North Portland Oklahoma City For more information, contact Marilyn Minter at 405.286.4830 or Teresa Jackson at 405.286.4846 Our support group meetings are very helpful, and serve as an invaluable resource for answers to any questions or concerns you may have pre or post operatively. Everyone is welcome!