Need input on good VSG surgeon, best price etc.

I am pre-op right now but my date is quickly approaching!

My surgeon is Dr. Broussard. He's partnered with Dr. Walton at Summit Medical Center in Edmond, OK. They have a very thorough program and I have all confidence that my surgery will be a success. Their website is www.weightwise.com

The price for sleeve right now is $9,995. However, there are a list of tests and such that aren't included in that price. I am self pay so I made sure at the info meeting to ask about additional costs...

So far I've paid:
$500 for lab work
$750 for sleep study - apnea detected which requires a CPAP. Fortunately I found one I can borrow!
$300 psych consult
$$ for diet and nutrition consults
$100 in gas every trip to OK.
$15 for an EKG
And the cost of all my pre-op diet foods...

All said and done I'm looking at about $12,500 -$13,000 total. I'm happy with that price considering the quality of care I have received so far! There were no surprise costs, I felt informed & feel like this is the best investment of my life so far!

Good luck in your search, and good luck to your son!

Personally, looked close to home for a reputable surgeon.  Many quality USA surgeons perform the VSG for around $10,000 - about the same as the most reputable Mexican surgeons do.  That said, I would not go to someone locally just because they are local... I wanted them to be competent and experienced at what they do. 

I considered going out of country for a few minutes... until it dawned on me that "I" could be the "one" to have complications and be up the creek without a paddle.  I can't imagine it would be easy trying to find a bariatric sugeon willing to take on another bariatric surgeon's patient, especially one from out of country.

That's not knocking anyone who goes out of country, just sayin' how my line of thinking goes. 

I have a 22 year old son (290lbs) who is waiting to see how it goes for me.  Good for your son deciding to take control while he is still young and relatively healthy!

I am thinking the same way as you about staying here.  And I am figuring with airfare etc it will end up costing the same or more if we went to Mexico. 

I love my son so much and want him to have a life now and not miss out on living at such a young age. 

Carla

My surgeon does alot of out of town (out of state) patients. He has package prices for cash pay. I had surgery in April and paid 11,200 total. Your son would need medical clearance from his PCP and any tests the PCP ordered to give him clearance. Dr. Pleatman is in the Detroit area which would be a direct flight from where you are located. I believe Alegiant Air has some cheap flights back and forth. The website is www.drpleatman.com.

Well, for my son that would be a possibly 4 hour drive he lives 45 min east of Cincinnati Ohio.  I would just fly up there and be with him. 

I will definately look into your surgeon.  I wonder if he takes Care Credit or something like that. 

Carla

I had my VSG with Dr. Daryl Stewart in Denton, TX.  I chose him because he is a vetted DS surgeon so I know he would give me a great sleeve.  From what I understand his self-pay prices are pretty close to Dr. Nicholson's listed above.  Best of luck to your son on making his decision.

Kelli

Thank you Kelli

I am leaning more and more away from Mexico because you think your getting a lower price but in the end you are not. 

Carla

dr. victor gonzalez in dallas. his self pay cash price is 8900 right now. best price i could find.

Thank you, Boy I have alot of phone calls and research to do.  I feel like its me starting over. 

Carla

I had a VSG here in Ft Myers 3/21/11 by Dr Moses Shieh
I have lost 101 lbs as of yesterday and am 65 yrs old.
He is the most caring Dr I have ever met. He calls you after surgery and he gives his patients his personel cell phone number so we can call anytime we need him.
He is currently going into private pratice and will open his new office 9/15/11. His website is
Way8los.com I am self pay too. Since he is just opening his office and has to apply with the ins companies and can only do self pay, I have a feeling there will be some price reduction on the self pay. His price also took care of 1 yr of aftercare.
If I can help any further I would be happy too. God has given Dr Shieh a real gift of magical hands.