Reasonably priced Drs in the US for Self payers?

VABandster · 10-08-2006, 08:19 AM

Thanks Phenry! It has taken me a while to get to the point of actually doing this, but I've been overweight pretty much my entire life and just turned 36 and am sick and tired of it so I finally made the decision to go for it. Good luck to you too with whatever you decide to do!

MarySue33 · 10-12-2006, 11:46 PM

Recuperating at your sister's house will actually be better than doing it at home! I spent the first two nights after I got out of the hospital at a girlfriend's and it was the smartest thing I could have done. I was banded on Monday and just came home today. I feel like it gave me a great jumpstart on recuperating.

VABandster · 10-13-2006, 08:05 AM

MarySue, I hadn't even though of that aspect of it, but good point! i've heard most people bounce back pretty quickly after the surgery, and hope that i am one of them! :)

sweetrepose · 10-17-2006, 01:44 PM

I am one of the many who has been contiplating going to Mexico for the LAP-BAND^® as insurance will not cover it. I too have heard the negative comments from friends and family when I tell them about going to Mexico. I am a little scared to go there. I am very happy for the people who have gone to Mexico and have had a wonderful experience.

I would really like to stay in the US and found from a previous post about the doctor in Colorado. I am excited and have just emailed my info to them. I hope to hear back from them soon.

I would like any info about this place. I live in Oregon and would not be able to do follow ups there. Has anyone else outside of Colorado gone here?

Oh, and why is it that different facilities can charge such drastic differences in price?

http://www.lapbandrockies.com/about-us.php

DrewsLou · 10-17-2006, 01:53 PM

sweetrepose... I was banded by Dr K in May. Let me know if I can answer any questions!

sweetrepose · 10-17-2006, 02:01 PM

Drewslou,

Thanks for the quick reply. My questions to you would be:

Did you like the facility?
I noticed you had a port replacement, why? What happened?
Did you like the Doctor?
Where did you do your follow ups?
How long did it take you from your initial contact to have the procedure?
Did you have to have a sleep study, psyc test, etc?
I am from Oregon, so I really only want to make 1 trip and cannot go back for fills or follow ups. What did you do?

DrewsLou · 10-17-2006, 02:10 PM

Sending you a PM sweet.

vonnie150 · 10-17-2006, 02:14 PM

The doctors in
Covington Louisiana charge 12,900 & that includes the hospital, surgeons fee, anesthesia & 1 year follow up with fills. You have to pay for your lab fees medical consultation or anything else they want. I also had to have a cardiology consult due to a slow heartrate. my insurance paid for most of this. Their office is called surgical specialists assoc.

VABandster · 10-17-2006, 04:01 PM

Drew,
I'd be curious to know about why you had to have port replacement too, and did you have to pay for it to get fixed??
I Think I know the answers to all the rest of Sweets questions :)

DrewsLou · 10-17-2006, 04:34 PM

I have a leak in my tubing right above my port. The cause is unknown until it gets back to Inamed for inspection. Yes, for now I am paying. Dr K says he will go to bat for me if it is a defect.

phenry · 10-25-2006, 09:36 AM

I am still investigating everything I can before I take the plunge! About doctors in Mexico...at first I was a little sceptical about having surgery there. But after all I have read...sounds like 99% of people who had their surgery there was quite impressed. If you think about it, LAP-BAND^® surgery is a HUGE moneymaker for Mexico. I don't think they want to mess that up. After all, it's not like most people who live in Mexico can afford to have surgery like this. These doctors are depending on clients from the US. If people were having bad experiences...all the customers would stop. Same thing is true about US citizens who vacation in Mexico. If you stay at one of the resorts...they take great measures to make sure you are safe, happy and have a memorable vacation so that you will return. At least that has been my experience and that logic seems to make sense to me. I am sure there are exceptions to this...but for the most part...I am convinced that Mexico is safe for surgery. I think what is important and reassuring is to have your aftercare already planned in advance just in case you do have an emergency situation. Just knowing that would make me feel better about the whole thing.

phenry · 10-25-2006, 09:40 AM

Oh and Drew...how did you know something was wrong with your port? Did Dr.K charge you to repair it? Was it the same cost as the surgery? Not trying to be noisy...but I have wondered if any doctors make repairs at least at a reduced rate if they preformed the surgery. If so, that could be a real bonus to having the surgery here in the US. Also, how is it determined if the band was defective? Is it sent back to the company? If the band is defective, can you recover any losses financially?

DrewsLou · 10-25-2006, 09:51 AM

Phenry... I didn't know for sure that I had a leak until I had a fill under flouro with contrast. It was suspected after my third fill and nothing left in the band from previous fills. The flouro confirmed our suspicions of a leak. I am only being charged for the cost of the new port, the OR fee's and anesthesia. Dr K is not charging me for his time or his assistants. The cost is MUCh less than the original surgery. The port and tubing will be sent back to Inamed after it is removed for inspection. They will determine the problem and decide whether it was a defect in the tubing or if it was punctured with a needle or whatever. I won't know any more until that determination is made. I am having this done on November 2, next week.

Hope this answers your questions.

phenry · 10-25-2006, 10:02 AM

thanks for a quick reply drew! Good luck on the replacement surgery. That's great that you can get just the defective parts replaced and also that the doctor is willing to give you a break in the cost of the additional surgery.

VABandster · 10-25-2006, 11:21 AM

Phenry,
I can see what you mean about mexican dr.s, although I have heard about people who go there having problems getting any problems actually fixed in the US b/c most US drs., so just be aware about that too. That was another reason I wanted to stay in the US. I am scheduled to have my band placed on 12/15 w/Dr. K in CO...I can't wait!!