Hi Crystal-- Cost is pretty variable, so it might be hard to get a good estimate w/o talking directly to the hospital. It's not just the surgery itself, but you may need a follow-up MRI, some meds for pain...and what they actually do and the med supplies they need during the surgery will vary for each person. Also, insurance companies negotiate different fees with hospitals, and the price an insurance company sees is different from the price that an uninsured patient sees.
I've decided to proceed with surgery in SF and am working out the insurance stuff now. Based on what I've paid for my MRIs and bloodwork, I'm guessing I'll be paying a couple grand out of pocket, which would mean the costs to my insurance co would be in the 10s of thousands. But, that's a TOTAL guess at this point. I really do think you'd need to contact the hospital to get any sense of cost, and they probably won't quote you a number over the phone, but would make you come in so they can review your case.
That said, if you have insurance, it seems like this is the kind of thing that WOULD be covered. Why do you think it wouldn't be covered? Also, pls be careful about which surgeon you choose...you definitely want to go to one who is very experienced in this kind of surgery. If your insurance won't cover an experienced surgeon, do you have opportunity to change insurance companies at some point?

I don't blame you. If i could afford it, I'd get it myself. Mine is also only 4mm but it is a complete disruption to normalcy for me sometimes.

Im looking into surgery at the Swedish Pituitary Center in Seattle, WA. Just wondering if anyone has had surgery there and if anyone can recommend anything for me such as cost. But like luvingthesun said it does disrupt normalcy and I am tired of it and cant handle the symptoms anymore......

I'm having the surgery done at john Hopkins, since the surgery is approved I only have to pay whatever is left on your deductible. I paid off most of my deductible so I don't have too much left to pay for the surgery. Check with your insurance company and how your coverage works. And good luck to you. I know a lot of people poo poo anything less than 10 mm, mine is only 9 but I'm absolutely miserable, and since my pituitary team thinks this is the best option, this is what I'm.doing!

Are you all experiencing symptoms from the medication or from the tumor? I am just curious as I also have one that is 9-10mm, although no symptoms at this time.

I experience symptoms from the tumor itself, such as fatigue, depression, anxiety, and lactation. From the medication, within 12 hours, i have severe nausea, within 16 hours severe irritability, like i wanna punch people in the face, and within 24 hours I suffer from increased dapression. All of that plus the severe constipation from the med that landed me in the ER twice.