Question:
How much is the total cost for RNY?

I just received a large settlement and now am able to afford the surgery, since my insurance won't pay! I need to know the total cost of the whole thing so that it doesn't come as a suprise to me!    — charri09 (posted on April 27, 2001)

April 27, 2001
every surgeon is different...mine said about $20,000.
   — Kathy831

April 27, 2001
First of all congratulations on your settlement. I hope you didn't have to go thru a lot of trauma to get it (like accident related injuries, death in the family etc.). Please look at it as a blessing so that you can now do what you want! My surgeon is at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic and I was quoted $40,000. Fortunately my insurance will cover it. I have heard of other Dr's that will charge between $15 and 20 thousand especially if they know you are self-pay. Believe me, do some shopping around and tell the Dr's that you are self pay. My suggestion is not to tell them that you have a huge settlement, rather, just tell them you would like to know the cost of the surgery since insurance won't cover it. Unfortunate that you need to do it this way. But speaking from experience, I work for an insurance company and used to be a claims adjuster. The amount of money I would pay for a claims settlement sometimes depended on the person's circumstances and whether or not they had an attorney. Yes I would pay for the medical bills in full but regarding subjective pain and suffering, that figure is up in the air. Good luck!
   — Kimberly L.

April 27, 2001
Hi there i am glad to hear you can have surgery!I live in michagan as well and i had my sugery done by Dr.Sapala in jackson Mi. ane he works through detriot rivervew hopital,by the way i got great care from the doc and the hoospital,(a really great nursing staff)and it was about 30,000$ but if you are a self pay the price is a but lower you will have call to find out, but the web sight is www.micropouch.com, and you can get there phone number off there and talk with there cordinator about price etc. in my book dr. sapala is the best!
   — sandra M.

April 27, 2001
In these parts, the surgeon's fee is abotu $10K, assist, about $2500, anesthesia $2K, labs, misc visits to required pros, another couple thousand, then the hospital at about $12K, give or take, depending on how you, personally fare. Some surgeons wil negotiate a bit on a cash pay, however. And staying in an area away from home might give you a chance to meet other patients of that same doc. Research the types of procedures so that you only do this ONE TIME. Check to see which docs perform which surgeries, how they are done, and talk to as many of their 5 yr+ pts as you can find.
   — vitalady

April 27, 2001
Connie...really shop around...I was a selfpay(gives you the freedom to go anywhere in the country for your surgery) and I had my surgery done with what I felt was the best LAP RNY surgeon in the country....had LAP RNY 1/16/01 for $18,400.00...I don't beleave if you have the freedom to go anywhere in country that you have to pay $40,000.00..I didn't and I was really pleased with my surgery and surgeon.
   — Debora H.

April 27, 2001
My daughter was self-pay with Dr. JK Champion of Atlanta, internationally recognized for his work in laparascopic WLS. Her all-inclusive fee - surgeon, assistant, anesthesia, and hospital (regardless of length of stay)- was $18,500.
   — Diana T.

April 27, 2001
I am having my surgery at BTC in Illinois and my total bill including all doctors and hospital stay is $40,000. Thank God my insurance is paying for it.
   — Norma Z.

April 29, 2001
I am seeing Dr. Wetter in Burlingame, CA. (near SF). I am paying just under $25K for a lap procedure. He charges just under $30K for an open procedure. Includes, dr., asst. surgeon, hospital up to 6 days ($2K per day after that), nutritionist, nurse specialist, and anestesiologist.
   — sandieguy