Does anyone have rough numbers on cost of Self Pay DS?

[DSRIGGS]

and does that include hospital stay and anesthesia?

My brother needs a DS but doesn't have insurance so we are trying to figure out a way to accomplish this for him.

Thanks

 

[southernlady]

Scott, Dr. Greenbaum has the best self pay rate in the US. I don't know what it is OR what it includes but I think there were figures of 13-16K.

I know my surgeon has his listed at 25K last time I checked his web page.

 

[Nosh Spice]

Back in June, I got this estimate from Dr Rabkin's office: "The estimated total self-pay cost for a Duodenal Switch with Dr. Rabkin is $32,000 - $35,000, assuming you wouldn’t have to be hospitalized longer than normal and wouldn’t require non-routine pre-surgery tests. Additional hospital fees would apply if you had to be hospitalized longer than normal after surgery, and/or if you needed non-routine pre-surgery tests."

 

[DSRIGGS]

Back in June, I got this estimate from Dr Rabkin's office: "The estimated total self-pay cost for a Duodenal Switch with Dr. Rabkin is $32,000 - $35,000, assuming you wouldn’t have to be hospitalized longer than normal and wouldn’t require non-routine pre-surgery tests. Additional hospital fees would apply if you had to be hospitalized longer than normal after surgery, and/or if you needed non-routine pre-surgery tests."

Thanks for the info.

Holy shiatsu. I thought it was like $15-$20k

 

[DSRIGGS]

BTW I am pretty sure my BCBS paid nothing close to that amount for my DS or revision. I had a c spine fusion surgery in 2011 and somehow ended up in ICU 5 days and 10 total in hospital. The bill was $176k and I believe BCBS paid $33k.

 

[DSRIGGS]

Scott, Dr. Greenbaum has the best self pay rate in the US. I don't know what it is OR what it includes but I think there were figures of 13-16K.

I know my surgeon has his listed at 25K last time I checked his web page.

Thanks liz

 

[Jbandmmomma]

Yes. Last I heard, Dr. Greenbaum's self-pay rate was in the 13,500 neighborhood. Very very very reasonable.

 

[DSRIGGS]

Thanks - looking at his site it looks like he does not employ the Hess Method. I base this off the comment on his website that says digestive enzymes come together mixing with food , 100 centimetres before the large bowel. To me that implies that he does the one size common channel of 100 centimeters

Does anyone know for sure?

 

[southernlady]

Best way to find out is maybe one of his patients who just had surgery or thru EN who has contact with his office. @Elizabeth N.

 

[DSRIGGS]

Best way to find out is maybe one of his patients who just had surgery or thru EN who has contact with his office. @Elizabeth N.

Thanks

 

[Larra]

Someone posted recently that Dr. Greenbaum's self-pay rate had gone up. It may be the hospital is charging more - I don't know for sure. I also don't know whether or not he uses the Hess method. And I think he does the DS open routinely.
Would your brother we willing to travel to Mexico for Dr. Ungson? That might be the least expensive alternative. Of course there is more to the decision than price, but Dr. Ungson does also have an excellent reputation, as does the hospital involved.

 

[DSRIGGS]

Someone posted recently that Dr. Greenbaum's self-pay rate had gone up. It may be the hospital is charging more - I don't know for sure. I also don't know whether or not he uses the Hess method. And I think he does the DS open routinely.
Would your brother we willing to travel to Mexico for Dr. Ungson? That might be the least expensive alternative. Of course there is more to the decision than price, but Dr. Ungson does also have an excellent reputation, as does the hospital involved.

Yeah I believe he would. If this happens my Dad would be paying and knowing him he would be skeptical but he is getting cheaper the older he gets so you never know.

Do you know if Ungson does Hess. I am worried my brother will have similar guts to mine and that a cookie cutter would fail him.

 

[Larra]

Scott, I don't know whether or not Dr. Ungson uses the Hess method. Maybe one of his patients will chime in.

 

[Jen-2]

Hi Scott. I had my DS w Greenbaum in February. My total cost came closer to $12,500. He does all his surgeries open. We discussed the Hess method and he agreed to use it for me. He moved to a longer CC for most patients bc he finds many aren't diligent w supplementation. My CC ended up being 75. I can't remember my other numbers. He told me but I've forgotten and haven't yet requested a copy of my report. He took his time and discussed all my questions and concerns each time we talked. I'm sure he'd discuss your concerns due to your revision and how that may or may not be a concern for your brother.

I posted a thread a few months ago that detailed all my costs but I can't find it. It's on here somewhere.

 

[southernlady]

Hi Scott. I had my DS w Greenbaum in February. My total cost came closer to $12,500. He does all his surgeries open. We discussed the Hess method and he agreed to use it for me. He moved to a longer CC for most patients bc he finds many aren't diligent w supplementation. My CC ended up being 75. I can't remember my other numbers. He told me but I've forgotten and haven't yet requested a copy of my report. He took his time and discussed all my questions and concerns each time we talked. I'm sure he'd discuss your concerns due to your revision and how that may or may not be a concern for your brother.

I posted a thread a few months ago that detailed all my costs but I can't find it. It's on here somewhere.

http://bariatricfacts.org/threads/ds-surgeon-search-update-w-info-dr-bonanni.2255/