Higa Bariatrics

About Higa Bariatrics

What is Higa Bariatrics?

Higa Bariatrics is a bariatric surgery practice at 1712 W. Anklam Rd Suite 101 in Tucson, Arizona 85745. Its main work is weight loss surgery, including gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, gastric balloon and revision surgery. It also offers general surgery, hernia surgery, gallbladder surgery, acid reflux surgery and robotic surgical technology. The surgeon is Dr. Guillermo Higa, whom the practice describes as a board certified general surgeon and fellowship trained bariatric surgeon. The practice says it has over 20 years of surgical experience, and it has a Google rating of 4.9 from 115 reviews. The phone number is (520) 207-2384.

The non-surgical weight loss program is one of its services. It is for people who do not qualify for surgery or who want to lose weight with medical support. The program includes an individualized assessment and weight loss plan, regular follow-up visits with one of its providers, a nutrition plan with a Registered Dietitian, weekly weight and blood pressure checks, two body composition scans, and monthly support group sessions. The four people listed as prescribers are Dr. Guillermo Higa, Billi Jo Koepke, FNP-C, Jenifer Seidner, FNP-C, and Kimberly McNurlin, PA-C. The GLP-1 medications it names are semaglutide, tirzepatide, Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound.

What does it cost?

It does not publish prices for the non-surgical program or its GLP-1 medications, and it does not publish a consultation fee. The home page mentions special cash pay rates and financing, but it gives no figures for this program.

It does not say whether the program fee includes medication, or whether it accepts insurance. In its own words: "We offer payment options in installments without interest." Its stated options are installments and financing.

What should you ask before you book?

Ask which of the four prescribers would write your medication and who would manage your follow-up visits. Ask whether the program fee includes medication, and if not, what the medication costs each month. Ask whether it dispenses the brand-name product or a compounded version, since the practice names brand products and generic drug names without saying which one it uses.

Ask what the follow-up visits, weekly checks and any lab work cost, and whether any of them are extra. Ask whether the non-surgical program can be done by video, since the practice says its surgeons offer telemedicine for pre-and post-operative evaluations. Ask whether HSA or FSA funds can be used, how cancellation works, and whether installment payments are refundable. Office hours are not listed, so call (520) 207-2384 to ask.

Who is it a good fit for?

This is a good fit if you live in or near Tucson, want a non-surgical program with regular provider visits and a dietitian, and are ready to pay out of pocket through cash rates, installments or financing. It may not suit you if you need a posted price or confirmed insurance coverage before you call, since neither is published.

Sources: higabariatrics.com/non-surgical-weight-loss/glp-1-drugs-for-weight-loss-what-you-need-to-know, higabariatrics.com/non-surgical-weight-loss, higabariatrics.com, higabariatrics.com/resources/cash-pay-pricing

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