I was self pay too and MUSC quoted me $27500 "inclusive" but somehow I doubt there wouldn't have been some additional charges (quote was this time last year).  I couldn't afford that so I went overseas to India.  My Internist here in Charleston agreed to do my follow-up care but said he wouldn't if I went to Mexico.  Was fine with India though. 

My total cost (surgery, flight, hotel stay, visa, everything) was a little less than $13000.  The flight is long but once you're there they take care of everything.  My surgeon had trained in India, Austria and the US.  Not once did I feel like I wasn't getting excellent care (in fact they are more hands on than I would have liked - NO shortage of nursing staff). 

Traveling overseas is a big step.  I went by myself but the only additional cost you would have to take someone with you is the airfare, visa and food.  The hospital and hotels don't charge extra for another person to stay in the room.  At most it should cost you another $1500 - $2000, still way under the $27500 MUSC wanted.