So what doctor do you pick if you are self pay???

Hi,

I believe that we can only speak to the care we got and how our lives have changed after having WLS.  I was the person who asked a million questions about the doctor and the hospital and their success.  We have this wonderful thing called "Freedom of Speech" here in our country.  Isn't it grand that we can express how we feel and what we think. 

The only person you can control is yourself.  I find that all the things people say on these site is very helpful.  I am a grown up adult who knows myself better than anyone else, so I appreciate all the comments about the doctors and staff.

Take care,

 HI,

I picked Dr Aceves due to how many revisions from band to sleeve that he has done.  Self paid for my band in Florida but when researching revision surgeons  his name kept coming up.  Personally Mexico is not a place I would have gone.  In saying that both my husband and I were very impressed.

Different strokes for different folks.  He was not the cheapest but again I was looking for the experience.  The other Dr that I read a lot about was the great Dr in San Francisco and he was just a little bit more that Dr Aceves but I could get the revision done within a few days VS waiting a couple of months and when the band is causing such problems the quicker it was gone the better.

DISCLAIMER!!!!!!  This endorsement was not paid for by Dr Aceves or anyone from his team.  It is strictly my opinion.

Good Luck to everyone.

Hi,

What a nice story to read.  You did all the right things, and I am thrilled that you had Dr. Aceves.  He is the answer for so many of us.

Hugs,

I'm cash pay here in Austin, TX with Dr. Ganta. $14,500 was my total cost. I do have to pay for bloodwork, etc, but I think the insurance company will pay for that if I get my primary to order them. It's mostly stuff you get with a yearly physical. I considered Mexico, but ultimately, I was impressed with Ganta - it helps that his office is less than 10 minutes away from my home as well.

Hi,

For me to pay cash at the time I had WLS it would have been about $30,000 for everything.  And NONE of the doctors had ever done as many "sleeves" as Dr. Aceves.  Not much of a track record either.  I knew I wanted the best along with some statics that I could see.

I am happy that you had a great experience.  All my lab work was covered by my insurance once I came home.  My doctor would order them and so they would be paid for by my insurance.

Take care,

Oh, I definitely considered Mexico (I mean, it's just a few hours drive). We'll see how the experience works out. My surgery is in late June :) So far, I really like him and he has a great record as well. I think it comes down to who you are conformtable with. Ultimately for me, it came down to really liking him after meeting him (he has a very dry dark sense of humor which fits my personality well) and not having to travel so soon after/before surgery.

Like the different surgery types, you just have to decide what feels right I think :)

 Hi,

For me I wanted someone that I knew something about his history of sleeve surgery.  Then when I had a friend who had gone to him, and she was an NP I knew for sure that I trusted her with my life.  She made me do a lot of research on my own.  2 years ago his name just kept coming up over and over.  So I made my choice.  I wanted someone who had great success with sleeve surgery, worked in a Hospital and NOT a clinic.

So I have to say I highly suggest you check out Dr. Aceves, call his office and talk with them.  You have Nothing to lose, except the best doctor there is for WLS.  This is his passion too, and he has that same great sense of humor that you are talking about, along with the most care you will ever receive.  You DO NOT get the kind of after care in any US hospital.  Then send you home ASAP.  Not Dr. Aceves.  He runs you through tests to make sure you will not have any problem, and that there are NO leaks.

Keep me posted.

Hugs