Question:
Looking for recent self-pay stories...

I live in florida and would like to know about anyone paying for their own RNY in the US. My husband and I are both looking to get it done...so cost is an issue, but not willing to risk quality. I have requested financing through Capital One Med, but was not approved. Any other suggestions? What is the going rate these days for RNY? Thanks!    — melissabarnett93 (posted on March 12, 2009)

March 12, 2009
Our insurance is covering mine but they told me at the surgeons seminar that it costs $40,000-$50,000.
   — momof2wthkids

March 12, 2009
I live in Miami, Florida and from what I understand, the surgery goes between $20,000 and $25,000, at least that what they told me the day of the informational seminar. I am in the process for approval with my insurance to do it with Dr. Jorge Sosa, who along with Nestor de la Cruz are considered to be the best in RNY's in town. I hope this helps you. :-) Good Luck!!!
   — Solange Reese

March 12, 2009
I did self pay lapband in Tijuana, Mexico. It was cheap, quick and well done. Don't regret it at all. There are doctors there that will do RNY as well. There are a lot of reputable doctors there that will do your surgery, so you should do your research.
   — slimcolagirl

March 12, 2009
What part of florida are you in? Also, Surgical Consultants of Hollywood has great surgeons there as well, Center of excellence,etc. My insurance will cover the procedure for me but the office also have plans where you can work ou the payments with them.
   — crystal220

March 12, 2009
Hi Melissa! I had to self pay for my RNY. I'm from California and my surgery ran just under $25,000. My Dr. and the hospital are Centers of Excellance. We could only come up with $10,000 in cash and the rest we put onto credit cards and Care Credit. Care Credit (carecredit.com)was a great thing for us as it allows us to pay over the course of a few years for 11.9% interest. Without Care Credit we would not have been able to afford to pay for my surgery. When you are researching which Dr. and hospital you want to go with, ask them if they accept Care Credit. I was told by a good friend who works in a dental office that accepts Care Credit that they don't really do any form of credit check. I know that when I applied online, I got an instant approval for the $9600 I needed for the surgeon's fees. Good luck to you and your husband. I hope everything works out for you!
   — sandra-n

March 12, 2009
I had LapBand in Jacksonville, Florida for a total of $19,000. My sister-in-law had RNY in Seattle, Washington and paid $30,000. Best of luck. Dawn Vickers
   — DawnVic

March 12, 2009
Having Lapband done in Overland Park Kansas on March 31st. I financed this through capital one. The cost is 17,450. This includes a year of follow ups and refills. I researched many including Mexico, and although some were 3-5 thousand dollars cheaper, none included followup care and refills. We also have a followup care center here in Wichita were I live, that is connected with my surgeon so I don't have the travel expenses of followup care. All can be done here except the surgery. So when looking, make sure what all you will have to pay out of pocket. Carolyn James
   — Cjames3259

March 12, 2009
Melissa,Check out the Mini Gastrial Bypass in Florida.The cost is much lower with better results.Hope this Helps,Mike
   — 2lazy2Mike

March 12, 2009
I had a superb experience with Dr. Graber and his team in Utica, NY. Luckily my entire experience was covered by our public health system here in Canada - I went out of country due to long wait times here. The bill overall for initial consult, surgeon, anesthesia services and the hospital stay was about $18,500. The care with this entire team is second to none! Hope that helps.
   — mountainmike

March 12, 2009
My insurance covered RNY 100%, however, I just got a statement from the insurance co and the total cost for it as $48,000. I kive in eastern PA. My sister is going to Mexico over Easter to have wls with Dr. Alvarez and she is paying out of pocket. His total cost including hotel, lab work, etc is only $9,000. He has an excellent reputation. I am looking into having my plastics done there if my insurance does not cover it.
   — Kristi K.

March 12, 2009
Hi I live in Houston, Tx., My selfpay price was 17,400., wiht Dr. Hadar Spivak. My surgery (RNY) date was 2/16/09. Go to his web page and get all the details needed www.bandmd.com. He and his staff is very professional and very well concerned with patients needs and concerns. Good Luck Jeneen-Houston,Tx
   — Ne-Ne

March 12, 2009
Hi I live in Houston, Tx., My selfpay price was 17,400., wiht Dr. Hadar Spivak. My surgery (RNY) date was 2/16/09. Go to his web page and get all the details needed www.bandmd.com. He and his staff is very professional and very well concerned with patients needs and concerns. Good Luck Ne-Ne,-Houston,Tx
   — Ne-Ne

March 12, 2009
I was self pay for my VSG which was 14,500. The price for self pay on the RNY was 25,000. We borrowed money from our 401k, got a small loan from CareCredit, as well as money in the our health care account. The CareCredit is really biting us. We didn't get the interest rate we were initially told. We didn't have anything in writing on the interest rate so we have no recourse. We just learned that the insurance for the credit card is required so that's 40 bucks on top of the interest rate.
   — Corina C

March 13, 2009
Be careful using Credit Care. I had a bad experience with them.
   — Muggs

March 13, 2009
I had surgery on 12/12/08, I was self pay, the cost was $19000. I used a company called Care Credit until I got my tax return then paid it off. Remember you get to write off any medical cost that is over 7 percent of your income. So I had a huge write off this year. If you are both getting it done I would talk to a tax accountant to find out what you can expect to get back. Also submit it to your insurance and then be persistant, most insurance companies have a 5 or 6 step appeal process, so once they turn you down there are 5 or 6 different levels of appeal that you can go through to try to force them to pay. There are several good obesity attorneys out there that can help you through that process at a very reasonable rate. The one I talked to charged $500 to help you through the process if they thought you could win. They were very up front about letting you know if they thought you had a chance. Good luck, it was the best $19000 I have ever spent!!!
   — brindledanes

March 13, 2009
I had a VSG in june 2008. I was self pay and paid $14,000 to the hospital, $1600 to the surgeon, plus I had to have an IVC filter which was another $2200. We took money out of our 401K. At least it was before the bottom dropped out of the market.
   — KathieV

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