Did anyone Self pay?

I self paid for my revision from a 1980 gastric bypass to DS with Dr. Rabkin in San Francisco and it ended up costing about $40,000.00. But my case was far from your average or normal DS surgery; I needed a revision from a very old WLS and my guts were really screwed up; I had adhesion's, scar tissue and other problems and most DS surgeons wouldn't even consider revising me. I decided to bite the bullet and go with the best and have not been the least bit sorry.

The fact is; I paid over $40,000.00 for the truck I drive every day and I'm worth a hell of a lot more than that truck is. It was money well spent and well invested, probably one of the best investments I've ever made and I've made some real good ones over the years.

The other thing I want to tell you is that I lived with a gastric bypass for 28 years and it sucked, I did manage to lose the excess weight way back when and then I had to work like crazy to keep the weight off; a battle I eventually lost. I got sick and couldn't exercise every day and that led to me gaining all the weight back.

My advise is to do what ever you have to do to get the DS, do not settle for gastric bypass; if you do, you're going to be sorry. The WLS you choose you have to live with for a very long time, so make sure it's going to really help you.

Kerry 

Yup, I paid cash, just over $19K. Regrets? Not a one.

I am a pre op scheduled to have surgery with Dr. Ungson on October 18th (woo hoo!) I am taking a loan from my 401k to pay for it--about 13,500 covers the surgery plus the airline tickets for my Mom and I (Hubby has to work.) Once I decided I was having surgery Oct. 18th can't get here fast enough!

I self paid in Mexico. 13,000 plus airfare. But I would definitely try to get insurance or a plan before surgery incase there are complications that require medical attention here in the states.

I was self pay with Dr. Marchesini in Brazil.  He is a brilliant surgeon.  Unfortunately, I had major complications.  Dr. M. treated me for 64 days and didn't charge me one extra cent, BUT the additional cost of the hospital, including several weeks in ICU (I was in a coma) was an additional $200K.   And my insurance won't cover one bit of the complications because it was an elective surgury (a revision that they wouldn't cover).

Don't let me sway your decision about self-pay.  I have no regrets.  But I also wanted to let you know the risks....they are more than just statistics.

Linda, I followed your story while you were in Brazil and  you really went through the ringer.  I find Dr. M an amazing and generous man.  Are you expected to come up with an additional $200K?

I was also self pay - I think of it as buying a car and never bringing it home.  Considering I weighed about as much as a car and now I don't it was worth every cent!

I was self pay (my insurance would pay a portion of a lapband or RNY, but even after appeals would not go or a DS), I was fortunate to have a surgeon in my city and State, he was more expensive than some, though, with the hospital costs I paid in the $28k territory.

ETA:  No regrets.  Great surgeon, great surgery, great results = happy camper

I was a self pay for the surgery. I choose Professor Robert Weiner at the Krakenhaus Sachsenhausen Hospital. They have a special bariatric unit set up there on one floor. 

My DS was performed laparoscopically and also included removal of the gall bladder and appendix.  I was admitted 1 day prior to surgery and my total stay was 7 days, 6 nights.  I stayed in a hotel for an additional 3 days and had 1 followup visit to the hospital during my stay. 

I paid 12,000 euros for the surgery fees, hospital stay in private room w/private bathroom and all associated medical expenses. 

Being a self pay, while expensive, does allow you a tremendous freedom of choice in doctors and facilities. You also will not have to jump thru the hoops or fill out endless paperwork attempting to get an insurance company to approve a surgery that you know is necessary for your well being. 

I don't regret self paying for the surgery at all. I'm 4 months out and it has already changed my life.

Be sure to talk to others that have used the surgeon you are considering - there are plenty on this board that will help you. Nothing like firsthand experience to help you decide where you want to go.

Don't be afraid to travel for the surgery. Just be sure to book yourself time in a nice hotel for recovery. You most likely wont want to go sit on a plane after release from the hospital. If your flight is a long one, consider first class - at least for the return portion of the trip.

I was self-pay and had my surgery with Dr. Marchesini in Brazil.  No regrets! I would do it again in a second.
Lisa

 Wow a lot of replies. Thank you all for taking the time to reply.

If I had not come here I would have never researched DS and it does seem like a better route then Gastric Bypass from what I am reading.

There is one surgeon in my state (Virginia) who does DS and that is Dr Elinery. I have heard good things about him, but when I called today there was a lot of noise going on and I couldnt understand the lady very well to be honest. It sounded as if the self pay rate was approx 30,000, but I cant be certain. Does anyone have reviews of him and or his prices?

I did also call Dr Peters per reccomendations by others here. I have to say he is an extremely nice doctor. He said he has only done a little over 200 of these which I am hearing is only a small number. He also said he did not take people who did not have insurance.

My husband works for Walmart (Walmart Distribution Center) and we have chose to not get the insurance through them due to it covering nothing regarding WLS, being extremely expensive and high deduct. I am unsure what to do about the insurance situation.

I am also worried about post op care. Dr Peters said he likes his patients to see him every 2/3 months depending on complications. That would be a big trip and am worried if I do have issues who I would see considering there is no one close by that does the DS surgery besides Dr. E and he is still over 3 hours away.