Question:
How much does it usually cost when you self pay

   — Patty J. (posted on December 23, 2004)

December 23, 2004
Hi Patty, Well, it depends on which surgeon and which surgery and where you have it! How's that for a not very concise answer?! I can tell you what I paid for my surgery, though. I went to Spain and had my surgery with Dr. Aniceto Baltasar (www.drbaltasar.com) and for travel, surgery - everything - it was $15,000. There are lots of us who end up going out of country for surgery. My number one motivating factor was that I needed a surgeon with very specific skills - and Dr. Baltasar is one of the world's best bariatric surgeons. He has been given commendations by the American College of Surgeons, is the past president of the IFSO, and is on the standards committee of the ASBS. But more importantly to me at the time I needed surgery - he was the guy who would take a risk on me - a really crappy surgical risk - and give me the surgery I truly wanted. I am so THANKFUL my insurance DID NOT cover my surgery - or I would never have found the wonderful Dr. Baltasar. Now, almost 2.5 years later, and 210 pounds lighter, and free of diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, and.... on and on I could go - I am so thankful to have a surgeon who continues to be my advocate, is a friend of the family, and cares deeply about my life. It's pretty cool. Do lots and lots of research - and remember you're worth every penny that it costs to pursue surgery as a self-pay patient! Blessings, dina www.bodybybaltasar.com
   — Dina McBride

December 23, 2004
Ask your surgeon or call around and ask what they charge for self-pay. You'll also have to check with the hospital for their charges. I was in the hospital for two days (right at 48 hours) and they billed my insurance company $33,000 of which they paid $22,000 after reducing for contracted rates. That doesn't include the $15,000 that my surgeon has billed of which he will also have a contracted rate and be paid I hear about $9,000. Keep in mind that I didn't have any complications. A friend of mine had complications and his total bill was just over $68,000. But, we finance a car and don't think anything of it. So why do we struggle with financing our LIFE?
   — Butterfly Reborn

December 23, 2004
Dr. Kerry Ozment in Little Rock, AR. Just under $15,000. for everything AND he is one of the pioneers of this type of surgery. He has been doing this since 1975 and has performed almost 8,000 surgeries. Excellent surgeon and a genuinely compassionate, good man. www.stvincentobesitysurgery.com-Please write if you have any more questions. Erin
   — Erin N.

December 24, 2004
A reminder to you -- as a self-pay, you can CHOSE which surgery you want, and I strongly urge you to check out the DS procedure since you don't have an insurance company to deal with. Come on over to the DS Forum http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/surgtype-forums/DS/posts.html and learn more about it. You will be glad you did.
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 24, 2004
I too urge you to consider the DS. On your profile you mention things like joint problems, back pain, heel spurs---all things that benefit greatly from NSAIDs---something that most surgeons forbid their RNY patients to take. I know they were a serious factor for me.
   — MsBatt