Birmingham area help needed! - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

rd0127 · 04-22-2008, 06:22 PM

Hi everyone,

I am just starting my journey and am struggling with deciding on a dr. I am choosing between Clements at UAB & Miles or Schmitt at St. Vincent's East.

Anyone who has used any of the 3, I would love to hear feedback. Good or bad, all is appreciated. I am going to a seminar in 2 days at St. Vincent's east and UAB is sending me a packet to fill out. I am a self pay and want to plan as carefully as possible.

Thank you so much in advance!

Jeanettie · 04-23-2009, 03:14 PM

I was a Self pay patient and I had my surgery done in Birmingham as well, but i did not use the doctors you mentioned. I went with Dr. Touliatos at Trinity Medical Center, because he was highly reccommended to me by, get this, my insurance company.... Yep the same insurance comany that decided not to approve me... go figure... Anyways, he is wonderful. He's very sweet and understanding and he did an excellent job. He spends a good amount of time explaining processes and answering questions.

My lap By-pass cost me about $15,000 all together-

14,500 for the surgery
10,050 of that went to the hospital for my overnight stay
950 of that went to the Anisthieologist
3,500 went to the surgeon
That 14,500 also includes all of my office visits for a year.

I also had to pay $200 for the counsultation, and $50 for a class with a nutritionist.

I spent the other 250 on vitamins, supplements, protien, liquids, etc. pre surgery.

I had an EDG (where they put the camera down your nose in your stomach) but my surgeon put in on my health insurance (saying it was for acid reflux). That's normally 500$ if you have no insurance, i think my portion after insurance was like $26.

I reccommend you go to several different seminars and talk to them about the actual costs. It adds up quickly so you want to pay a low price for a good doctor. Hopefully this gives you some insight!

Jeanettie · 04-23-2009, 03:18 PM

oh and they were quick too!

I had my consultation on Jan. 26th, and had my surgery on Feb. 27th. I went ot the seminar much eariler, Nov, but i was still fighting the insurance company then... I had to wait about a month to get the consultation once i called for one...