Self Pay - Best Surgeon in the U.S.?

Long story short - I had the gastric sleeve in December 2010, lost 57 pounds and have gained about 35 of it back. Lost 113 through diet and exercise even before the 2010 surgery and gained every pound back, plus 14 more. I pretty much suck at maintaining. Should have done the DS from the start. Grrrrr to my "hope" for self-control.

Soooooo.....I've decided that if my second appeal is denied through Cigna, I will likely withdrawal the funds from my 401k and go the self-pay route.

Who is the best and most reasonably priced in the U.S.? And why? I am not looking for the cheapest, just the best who happens to have reasonable fees. Basically, who is the Coach/Gucci/etc. purse of the DS but willing to sell their product at an outlet store? I have read several posts but many of them end up being bias or confusing. Sorry, maybe it's the blond in me coming out and I just couldn't keep up.

My PCP has been very supportive and I know I could get thorough labs done locally. They are also great about having me adjust vitamins accordingly.

I know my family would freak out if I don't go to the vetted surgeon in Kansas, but I may not have another option because their fee is 26k.

Anywho, please share your opinions and/or experiences if you're willing. I'm still hopeful that Cigna will come through but I want to prepare for the next step if they don't.

Thanks!!!

I know he's very well respected in the DS community, and I've also heard his self-pay price is very reasonable:

 

Daryl A. Stewart, MD *

Weight Loss Specialists of North Texas
Denton Surgical Group
3321 Colorado Blvd.
Denton, TX 76210
Phone: 940-382-9429

 

If it is a revision, the surgeons that are vetted are very few and far inbetween.

My surgeon was Ara Keshishian. And he is very highly regarded as one of the very very best!

I have nothing but praise for him!

Check him out!

What CC length did you get? I heard Dr K goes as short as 50 which would help a 2 parter lose better IMO.

encab,

I would not call it a revision, per se.... She already has the sleeve portion, now just needs the "second" part to complete the switch.

 

Oh, I second Stewart.  Good reputation & good pricing.

I did much research around the US

Chicago - University of IL around $60,000 self pay and they want you to attend a pre ov and surgey pre vist and then OR and post there and lnly there.

St Louis,  My New Self program at Des Pere Hospital. self pau $23,000DS and DS revision done by a WLS with over 25 years lap surgery exp.  but only 1 yr with DS.

Denton Tx Dr Stewart,  quoted around $23-25K,  Very well respoected on this forum.

Knoxville, TN  Dr Boyce they would nto give me a quate onver the phone or internet.  Very well respected in DS a DS revision.  I s mentor to many WLS in training them for the DS.

Dr Greenbaum , NJ - MY good friend just had OR with im  and is foing great, she has an open switch due to prior surgical procedures and scar tissue,  She healed beautifully.  Insurance coverage so I do not know the price. He seems to have a great record hereon OH as well.

but the MD is San Francisco seem the most vetted, Rabkin, Jossert ad Cirangle.  Very expensive $40K

As with all consider travel costs and hotel costs.

Just my research for self pay.

Maja

Dr. Boyce's website lists the DS at $25,500. I assume a revision may be a little different, but it gives an idea. 

http://www.newlifebariatricsurgery.com/how-do-i-become-a-pat ient/bariatric-financing-insurance-knoxville-tn/

I, too, am waiting on Cigna to approve a revision (hopefully) and Dr. Boyce is who will be doing it. He is wonderful.

Thank you all for the information! Please keep posting if you have more or new info. I still haven't heard from Cigna but have all my fingers and toes crossed. And good luck to those of you still waiting too!

Sometimes if you receive something like this out of the US, the US insurance will not pay for any possible complications caused from it because it was done in another country. Which is one reason why we look to our own first. I had the band in Mexico and was turned down for fills by a lot of doctors here in the US because of the fact that I had it in Mexico. 

The price to travel out of the US can be crazy as well as finding a place to stay after until you may fly home. Also if something goes wrong it is hard to sue someone from other countries for damages if they refuse to fix the issue. It is primarily a better choice to stick to your own country if a person can. There are a couple surgeons that have been doing DS surgery for quite a long time and have great experience. Why go through all the other crap when you can have it at home. 

That being said. I agree with you. There are wonderful surgeons in other countries to pick from if you need to. I did and he was a great surgeon. Are they better than what we have here? I would say there are good and bad everywhere.