Cost of surgery.

I have a question. I received all the paperwork to have my surgery done at the Center of Obesity in Gainesville. I have been scouting around to find a place to do my surgery without so much upfront money. First one I went to wanted $5000 before surgery. Well, this booklet says it cost $50,000. for the complet thing but then I have read somewhere that the average cost is around $20,000. Seems to me that is a big difference QUESTION: Am I just looking in "all the wrong places"? Just thought someone could set me straight on what I need to be looking for in average prices. I don't mind everyone making their money for doing a good job.(I mean....I do plan to look SNAZZY when this is done) I just don't want to pay more than necessary because I wasn't paying attention. I guess my biggest thing is : I didn't have to do a lot of work to get approved with my insurance. I felt so blessed cause I have read so many horror stories about trying to get insurance to pay. BUT ...now I find out using this insurance still seems to leave me with great "upfront" $$$. I just thought maybe there are doctors out there that can take my insurance and even let me pay my part in payments. I mean.....I never paid for a job before they did it that they di a good job. SORRY ABOUT THE LENGTH. I MUST HAVE GOT UP ON MY SOAPBOX.

Hi Carol! $50,000 is the upper end of the range for Florida. There are places you can get the surgery for the $20,000 - $30,000 range. I would keep looking. The Wish Center has payment plans. Hugs, Erika L

Hi Erika: I am not familiar with the Wish Center. How do I contact them? Thanks for all info Carol

The website is wishcenter.org Erika

Carol, I'm confused, is your insurance paying for the surgery, or are you self pay. If you are self pay, doctor and hospital should be about $20,000.00, and then there are fees for pre-op appointments. If your insurance is paying for it, you may have some out of pocket expenses, but i would not think more than $2,000.00.

it cost that much cause you have insuarance

Hi, The cost for the surgeons fee, anesthesia, surgical assistant, hospital/facility fee, labs, workup, etc. is $20,000.00 here in Palm Harbor. That is with Dr. Brad Case's program. If you would like more info., please call Julie at Dr.Case's office at 727-773-2273. Lisa

Hi Carol, Technically, the doctor's office is not allowed to charge more than the medicare allowable amount, when it comes to cash paying. I am not sure how it factors with an insurance chipping in. If your insurance has approved your surgeon already and you like that surgeon you might want to discuss with his/her office if they offer payment plans. I attended the Wish Center's seminar. I really liked them. And I liked the idea of the payment plan, since the Wish Center was not covered by most insurances. However I couldn't afford to self pay for my surgery. Things may changed and the Wish Center may be covered by more insurances now. Karee

i am going through THE WISH CENTER in tampa. They specialize in just this. There complication and death rates are super lower then the national rates because they do everything there and counsice you. They of course take insurance. MY insurance has an exclusion rule so im paying myself $23,600, angel

Thanks to everyone with info. This is just a lot to sink in. I DO have insurance and they do not need preapproval, just medical history of my medical problems. (duh, i weigh 283 and I am 5'7") ANyway, I will ask more questions. Seems I just didn't know enough to know what to ask. I appreciate all you out there helping. Carol