So many questions: best price, scars? - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

ardita · 04-06-2009, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aceduece

Well, I have 6 small scars from surgury. I was 379 at surgury and now am 221, I have had great success with the surgury, Now back to the other comment, There is nothing wrong with going out of the country as long as you do your research FIRST. I went to Tijuana mexico in May and have had NO issues, No infections had no leaks had no issues so all of the scary things really do exist but with inexperienced surgeons and hospitals, I had my surgury in a US/Mexican government owned hospital for medical tourism so they follow all of the US standards and only let qualified surgeons perform the surgury. I paid 9400 for the sleeve 7 months ago however the price has gone down to like 8500 since. Seriously dont be scared to go out of the country!!! It was a better experience there than in the USA! If you have questions please ask. I was scared to go at first, but i would do it again in a heartbeat now.

When did you have your surgery? You have lost a lot ofweight....

aceduece · 04-07-2009, 07:16 AM

I had my surgury May 21, 2008. I am now down to 208 and feel fantastic!

ardita · 04-09-2009, 08:34 AM

I have switched to a VSG and the cost is still high-I'll pay $17500 hosp plus $2000 anaesthesia plus $6000 surgeon. $25,500. $8,500 and a trip to MExico sounds appealing but cant get around the thought of going out of country...

aceduece · 04-09-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardita

I have switched to a VSG and the cost is still high-I'll pay $17500 hosp plus $2000 anaesthesia plus $6000 surgeon. $25,500. $8,500 and a trip to MExico sounds appealing but cant get around the thought of going out of country...

I went to mexico and had a great Dr, no complications at all and the hospital that I went to is US and Mexican owned. Its not bad I promise it was cleaner than any US hospital!

Aviator · 04-09-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardita

I have switched to a VSG and the cost is still high-I'll pay $17500 hosp plus $2000 anaesthesia plus $6000 surgeon. $25,500. $8,500 and a trip to MExico sounds appealing but cant get around the thought of going out of country...

That is way too much. Here in Houston, site of the worlds largest medical center, is 13,500 for VSG. That is a cash up front price, no fighting with insurance. No waiting. No jumping through hoops. Highly reputable, highly dependable.

If you go the insurance route, it costs the surgeon, hospital, and specialists more since they dont get their money for weeks or months, so obviously will charge more for the procedure. And you will be hassled a lot more.

If you are interested I will give you some names here, including my surgeon. My guy is in The Woodlands, which is really nice upscale place. PM me if interested.

The Woodlands

ardita · 04-09-2009, 06:22 PM

Av-
I'm not going the insurance route-I'm a straight self pay. Does your # include the hospital costs?

Aviator · 04-09-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardita

Av-
I'm not going the insurance route-I'm a straight self pay. Does your # include the hospital costs?

That is everything: surgeon, hospital, anesthesiologist. Everything except a visit to a Nut and Psych. (maybe $300 for both of those.)

St Lukes or Memorial Hermann in The Woodlands. Both are world class hospitals. Only two hospital days for VSG!

You will have the cost of air fares here too - probably two trips - but if you plan out a few weeks its not so bad.

j.marie · 04-10-2009, 12:08 AM

if you are planning on paying cash upfront you might want to look at hospitals that offer a cash discount. If you dont have the cash there are always personal loans? I know that if my insurance does not approve the financial cordinator said they give up to a 75% cash discount...

ardita · 04-10-2009, 06:21 AM

thanks, j.marie. i'm gonna check that out....

ardita · 04-10-2009, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aviator

That is everything: surgeon, hospital, anesthesiologist. Everything except a visit to a Nut and Psych. (maybe $300 for both of those.)

St Lukes or Memorial Hermann in The Woodlands. Both are world class hospitals. Only two hospital days for VSG!

You will have the cost of air fares here too - probably two trips - but if you plan out a few weeks its not so bad.

Psyc and nut done already. Plane fares negligible cost in the big picture if I'm saving $12,000. No wonder health care costs are out of control...