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

Alex4177 · 12-19-2008, 12:01 PM

Hi folks,
wow, so glad to find this resource!! I have been researching this for a few weeks, I live in Tucson, and the least expensive cost for this procedure (the sleeve) I can find is $21,000, wow, I hate to shop around for something so important, but since its coming out of my pocket, it definately factors in. I'm not going out of the country, but was wondering if I could ask what you guys paid in your areas? I have found least expensive in CA to be $19k, & Austin, TX, $13,5k. If I can find a reputable doctor for less, thats the route I'll go.

Also, the procedure varies a bit from what I've seen. Is there only 1 scar in the belly button, or 2, one in the belly button & one 2-3 inches on the side? How bad are the scars? I am so interested to hear your stories, I am so grateful to have found this forum, thank you so much in advance for your replys!!!

Alex4177 · 12-19-2008, 02:48 PM

so many looks, but no one is responding...

trish29 · 12-19-2008, 02:52 PM

I'll respond...

I don't know about the cost thing...the only thing I can say is most people would tell you to get the surgery close to where you live so its not a hassle to see your surgeon post op.

Scars - I have six. One for the drain and five where the instruments went in. I think that is common for laprascopic procedure. Open RNY is a whole different story.

You can search the entire forum - just enter the word scars and I bet you will find A TON of threads about the scars.

Good luck to ya. Don't feel bad about looks w/o responses.... :-)

Alex4177 · 12-19-2008, 04:36 PM

thank you so much, Trish, you look great! yes, I am planning to do post-op with a doc here, I've already arranged. how soon until you were able to excercise after the procedure?

trish29 · 12-19-2008, 05:22 PM

I walked and walked and walked and walked from about three hours after surgery until about 5 weeks. At 5 wks I went back to the gym and did the elliptical and arm weight exercises. This was my first week back to my Muay Thai kickboxing gym....it is SUPER intense and I was actually OKAY! Don't get me wrong, my whole entire body is sore...especially the mid-section, but it wasn't the kind of sore that was caused by surgery, it was the kind of sore caused by a SEVERE shock to the muscles. :-)

Anyway, you should be able to get good long walks in pretty early out and by 8 wks (where I'm at now) you will probably feel almost back to normal.

Thanks for the compliment by the way...

Phoenixfire · 12-19-2008, 05:36 PM

Welcome to TT Alex, the best resource for those of us who have had or are contemplating wls.

I'm in the Phoenix area and my surgeon is retired unfortunately. I had my surgery years ago and had insurance so I can't address your price question. That may be why you haven't had a lot of responses, as the majority of us had surgery with insurance coverage.

There are good and reputable surgeons in Phoenix, so you might investigate those options. Dr. Simon and Dr. Juarez are the names I know. No clue how much the cost is. But you DEFINITELY must have follow-up AND PRE-OP CARE/COUNSELING/INSTRUCTION/DIETICIAN information that is close to you geographically. It is CRITICAL to your success with this surgery and in dealing with the potential complications.

Personally I would choose to pay more and wait until I had the money (or go into more debt if that's what you're doing) JUST so I had the reassurance of a doctor close to home and so you have the counseling and all other psychological preparation for this life-changing surgery.

And like posted above, doing a search on all the threads is VERY helpful. I spent a lot of time doing that when I found this resource.

I'm a big advocate and post a lot about the aspects of mental, relational and other changes that accompany surgery. Those aspects that are not physical. I think that is one area that is a little weak when it comes to pre-knowledge and post-op success: dealing with the issues that got us to the point of needing surgery.

Best of success to you on finding a surgeon you are confident to have do your surgery and one that has a full practice of support for those other areas outside of the physical aspect. One member here went through Kaiser's program in California, and from what I know about his success, it was the BEST program I've heard of. I can't comment on others' support pre-op but I know his was awesome (BajaBigDog is his name).

Renee3846 · 12-20-2008, 03:05 PM

Hi Alex,
I am in Washington State and had to pay for surgery myself too. I looked into all the procedures out there. I went to a seminar offered by the surgeon that ended up doing my surgery and that is where I found out about the VSG.

My surgeon offered the VSG at the same price he does a lapband, 17,000.00. I figured with the lapband, I would have costs with the fills so I looked more into the VSG. I have 5 scars, all are very small with the largest about 1 1/2 inches long, none are in the belly button. They all have healed very nicely.

He has 1 year monthly follow-up care included with the cost. I am very pleased with him and his staff and would do it all over again! Good luck with your research and best wishes to you once you make your decision.

Renee'

Aviator · 12-21-2008, 08:22 PM

But I can tell you that here in the Houston area VSG is $13.5K - and that is an all in price. Hospital two days.

I picked VSG because of the loads of international travel that I do, lower complication rate (about the same as the band nowadays), and for someone in my BMI range (38) the statistical wt loss % of excess weight is only about 10-15 lbs.

And the added benefits of no malabsorbtion, and lower 2 year rebound rate were contributing factors. For me it was an easy choice. And Im a "road less traveled" kind of guy anyway.

Cute puppies Trish, but what happened to their noses? :P

trish29 · 12-21-2008, 10:52 PM

Cute puppies Trish, but what happened to their noses? :P[/QUOTE]

LOL, thanks Aviator, my lil puglet has a special nose....and face :-) Ahh, the breeding of the ancient Chinese pug.

Very excited for you for your upcoming SURGERY!!!!

aceduece · 01-02-2009, 03:06 PM

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.