Question:
Looking for an affordable surgeon/hospital

Hi All. I am going to have to do this as a pelf pay. I've tried everything possible to get some help on this... my ins. has an exclusion, I've written appeal letters, the hospital that I work for has a sister hospital that has it's own wls center ~ they're no help (no paymt plan) and the hospital that is considered 'in-network' won't cut me a break on the cost or some type of pymt plan or even a courtesy emmployee discount. Anyway, I can't afford to pay $16,000 in one lump sum (i've already got the $7000, for the surgeon). SO I am looking for some prices on doctors elsewhere. I live in Kansas, but if I can save some money, I will travel. ANy help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.    — MICHELLE F. (posted on April 5, 2003)

April 5, 2003
Hello~ I just got back from Ensenada,Mexico having Open-Rny with Dr.Aguirre, I'am now 9 days post-op. The "TOTAL" cost for the surgery is $6,900.00 this includes EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so pleased with my results, and could never say enough about my experiance with Dr.Aguirre. If I had a $100,000.00 to spend on WLS I would still use him! The only other fee is your travel which isn't very high. I have alot of very detailed information in my profile about Dr.Aguirre and my trip. If you would like to talk to me e-mail me and I will be happy to go into this more with you! Good Luck!
   — latrishanickle

April 5, 2003
I was a self pay too. I went to Little Rock With Dr Luttrell, he also works with Dr Gibbs. The total self pay cost for my surgery was $12,100.00. Look at my profile for detailed info. There is also Ensenada, Mexico which is just across the border from San Diego. THat is Dr Aguirre and and his total cost for everything is $6,900.00 and that includes everything. Go to Latrisha Nickle profile to learn more about the details of him and she also has many details on Little Rock Arkansas. Personally either way is a good choice. Of course I'm not scared of Mexico like some are, but I've spent allot of time down there as I was growing up. Both of these prices are for open rny. Good luck, email me if you have any other questions. open rny 12/04/02 -80lbs!!
   — Monette L.

April 7, 2003
Oh wow, all my kids were born at Mercy Hospital in Independence, Kansas. We had a farm near Neodesha. (The twins are 20 so this was a while ago). Anyway, Dr. Tim Sifers in Kansas City (or actually Overland Park, KS) charges something like $4,000 and Shawnee Mission Medical Center charges self pays $10,000, then I think there is $800 for the that doc that I can't spell - starts with an and they put you to sleep. But it does all have to be paid up front. Dr. Sifers has a support group every other Monday, next meeting on the 14th, at Shawnee Mission Medical Center which is at I35 and 75th Street. He also has a web site www.sifersmd.medem.com. Good Luck.
   — Sunny S.