Depends on whether you have insurance or not.  For my LRP in 2003, the
doctor billed insurance $7000, he was paid, because of his contract
with the insurance company, $2500.  The hospital billed insurance
$80,000 for two nights (that's right, $80,000!), they were paid a few
thousand.  Add in the assistant surgeon and other odds and ends for
another couple of thousand and total cost to my insurance was well
under $10,000.  With no insurance, I assume I would have been billed
about $100,000.  Don't know what I would have actually had to pay.
Gotta luv the system.
Dave Perry

My surgery with all tests and follow-up cost around $40k
Sandy K.

There are tips and some ways to save on these web pages. (some/many may be
duplicates)
http://www.rare-cancer.org/financial-aid.html
http://www.cancercare.org/pdf/services/fs_financialhelp.pdf
http://www.cancercare.org/services.html#assist

I've searched before and never found specifc assistance for surgery.
Is the name of the surgeon that important?
Are there other surgeons, using same technology, who are as competent, who
might charge less because they're less well known?

I've heard that some may be willing to discount if cash (instead of having
to deal with insurance companies).

Look at your assets and debts.
Take a step back (be objective) and look at your assets again.
Many (not all) people I've seen on cancer newsgroups, have more than they
need.
Houses bigger than they need, fancier vehicles than they need, duplicates
and triplicates of "things".
How to turn assets into cash....and still live a comfortable but more
modest lifestyle.
OR how to translate assets into cash to buy the insurance plan you need to
cover your surgery and care?

I looked at your Gleaon numbers. This is your life we're speaking about, as
you realize.
Hopefully you'll work it out and not get into debt for the rest of your
life.
Best wishes,
J

Two years ago my insurance company was billed for the total of 38,000
for RRP and three days stay in  hospital. I suspect that hospital
accepted less but the whole procedure did not cost me a penny.
Tee
--
Verba volant, scripta manent.

$20K +/-  depending on your location.