Self-Pay cost?

What is the average cost for self pay... 

Costs are going to vary a lot based on where you live. Here in Arizona, my doctor quotes $24k self-pay for VSG, though I understand it may be lower in other parts of the country.

Your best bet is to call a few local surgeons and ask what their cost is-- as well as what it includes (pre-op clearance, followup appointments, etc.).

$16k for me - dr chae in Denver. The majority of that was over $10k to the hospital for the surgical/overnight fees. The doc himself was 3.5ish. Then anesthesia, assistants etc.

of course, then there was the additional $3.5k for the oop Max when the pneumonia hit :) 

For what surgery? What part of the country? Are you open to having surgery abroad?

Amounts will vary wildly based on those factors.

When I was planning a self-pay VSG back in 2012, the total cost for surgery and all pre-op testing at the Ohio State University Medical Center was $16,800. I'm sure it's gone up since then though and varies by part of the country.

I had RNY in December and the cost for surgeon, hospital and anesthesia was about $23,000. The pre- op testing was covered by insurance ( go figure- wouldn't pay for the surgery but all related costs they covered? ) I live in the DFW area of Texas. 

Same here -- my insurance would not cover bariatric surgery -- but, the pre op work was covered.

My surgeon is a General Surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive procedures, including WLS ---- so, since the pre-op work was not labeled as being specific to bariatrics it was covered.

The pre-op EKG led me to needing to see a cardilogist for an Echo -- and all of that was covered.

What Julie said.  Costs will vary widely based on surgery type, area of the country (as well as big city versus suburb or more rural area), and even from one surgeon to another in the same area.  

They should be able to give you cost info over the phone. Just be sure to ask what it includes and does not include, especially regarding follow-up and in case of complications.

Lora

If I were looking at self pay I would definitely consider out of the country.  Even with travel and expenses many times it is much less than here.

There are several very good surgeons in Mexico.  Because of their low cost they have high volume, thus lots of experience.  You may want to consider that.