Verhobb: Thank you for your comments on Dr. Brown. I'm researching surgeons and it's frustrating and confusing. There seems NOT to be an accepted, research-based protocol, and so surgical approaches vary widely. Mesh--no mesh, open--laparaoscopic, and on and on. I left an online history for Dr. Brown, and he called me on my cell phone and spent 15 minutes answering every question i could think of. I got 'good vibes' from him--whatever that's worth. Further, he (Dr. Brown) recommended Dr. Myers as being close to me (i'm in NY) having done many more of these procedures and having published his case reports in medical journals.
I called Dr. Myer's office--and was told it costs $500 up front for his exam and 5-10k for his surgical fee (OR fees, MRI, etc, are extra). His office manager told me they would give me the info necessary to file with my carrier (Aetna) but (despite how many of these surgeries they've done) couldn't venture a guess as the likelihood of getting insurance payment.
I would appreciate any personal experiences folks would be willing to share with any AP/Sports Hernia surgeons--including total fees and experience with insurance coverage.