New to all of this and need info

I am looking into having WLS. I will be a self pay patient. Can anyone tell me a good surgeon in SC and if they have paid out of pocket what am I looking at spending?

Thanks!

Welcome! I don't think I can answer your question on the self pay or surgeon in your area. We have a great one in the Upstate, Dr. Eric Bour. I know the surgery isn't cheap,but I'm sure it is cheaper when it's self pay instead of what they charge when insurance is involved. My surgery was 3 years ago and the hospital bill I received came to over $47,000.00. Mine was covered 100% by my insurance though. I figure your probably looking at  at least  $30,000.00, but that is just a wild guess. Call around to some bariatric surgeons and see if they will quote you an approximate price on self pay.
Good luck with everything.
Hugs!
Mary

    I had my surgery in Charleston at MUSC w/ Dr. Byrne who was wonderful and very knowledgeable. A friend of mine had her surgery in Lexington Med Center in Columbia, she raves about her surgeon also.

   My suggestion would be to contact their surgical coordiator and/or their financial dept. They may have a payment plan. I know the hosp I work in, even though we do not do weight loss surgery, we do have payment plans for pts. that are self pay. Good luck in your endevor.

Donna

I can not tell about self pay either, but Dr Rowitz is going to do my surgery and he is a very good physician, he is located in Anderson

Dr rowitz is doing my surgery also and YES!!!! he's a really good physician i got my date today 11-30-09 im so ready

I wish you the best.  i still have one more month to meet the insurance waiting period of six months and then mine will be scheduled

Has anyone had teh surgery with Dr. Joya in Puerta Vallerta?

I was self pay too and MUSC quoted me $27500 "inclusive" but somehow I doubt there wouldn't have been some additional charges (quote was this time last year).  I couldn't afford that so I went overseas to India.  My Internist here in Charleston agreed to do my follow-up care but said he wouldn't if I went to Mexico.  Was fine with India though. 

My total cost (surgery, flight, hotel stay, visa, everything) was a little less than $13000.  The flight is long but once you're there they take care of everything.  My surgeon had trained in India, Austria and the US.  Not once did I feel like I wasn't getting excellent care (in fact they are more hands on than I would have liked - NO shortage of nursing staff). 

Traveling overseas is a big step.  I went by myself but the only additional cost you would have to take someone with you is the airfare, visa and food.  The hospital and hotels don't charge extra for another person to stay in the room.  At most it should cost you another $1500 - $2000, still way under the $27500 MUSC wanted.

I recommand Dr Tribble. At the Weight Mangement. He does his surgery at the Baptist. They Have been Great. Not sure of the Cost. They are in Columbia. 803-376-5982 Give them a call they can help you.