Went to the Seminar Today

[DesertGal]

I went to the seminar this morning and met the surgeon. I have an appointment with him on Monday morning and one nutrition class under my belt already. Two more to go. He explained so many things and it was informative...but I learned a lot of what he said from YOU GUYS on here. It was nice already knowing ahead of time what he would say regarding the sleeve. There were quite a few people there in attendance but honestly, I don't see many of them having the surgery. I spoke to him after the class briefly and asked him if the weight I have dropped in the past two weeks since attending the nutrition class at his office, would be held against me. He said he was impressed that I have followed his diet and all the water I guzzle down daily, and told me that my insurance company wouldn't have a problem with it. He did say however, if I should drop 30 or more pounds, now that could put up a red flag to them, as in "Hey, she can drop the weight without surgery." I told him that I may have lost the 15 lbs. but I am SO dang hungry and if I had to stay on this diet with my stomach the size it is, there is NO way I could do that. So, my questions were answered and I feel better knowing what to expect.

[Pattimelt]

Hi Lori, glad you got to meet your surgeon, and have an appointment with him on Monday. You're doing so well! I, too, find that most of my questions so far have been answered here. It's so reassuring to have people who have already undergone the sleeve surgery who are able to give us a heads up on what to expect. That's invaluable! Weight Loss Agents, who I'm going through for my surgery, called me the other day and asked me what questions I had that they could answer. I replied that I'm good, and have no questions right now. That's because of all I've learned on this site!

Hey, why do you doubt that many of the people in the class will go through with the surgery? Too difficult to meet the requirements? Just wondered. I hope you get to actually have your surgery in April. It will be so exciting! I can't wait for mine on April 19. It still seems far away, but I think the time will fly by quickly. I can't wait to feel my new sleeve working! Better health is right around the corner, and I'm looking forward to looking better too.

Let us know what the doc says on Monday. Stay in touch!

[DesertGal]

I'm anxious and nervous and want to get my husband more calm over the surgery. He's worried. Because it's surgery.

Ok, the reason(s) I feel many of the people today in the room were not candidates and won't follow through have to do with their overall health; their older age and the physical shape they're in (and not talking weight wise); they don't qualify for the requirements with insurance; and some don't have insurance and he mentioned they offer a package for uninsured for $16,000. Maybe I'm wrong but I just got the feeling there were only a few SERIOUS attendees present.

[Pattimelt]

Oh, I've got it! You can just tell which people are serious or are able to meet the requirements. Sixteen thousand is steep for the uninsured. I understand why U.S. Surgeons have to charge that much, but four of us could go to Mexico for that amount. I really do understand though, why people are scared to go there. It's the unknown. Glad I've conquered my fears and am ready to go! Wish we could go together ��

[DesertGal]

The doctor was saying at the beginning of the seminar that it costs the insurance companies- and I know I heard him correctly- $60,000 - $75,000. for this surgery. That's why they are so careful as to who they feel will follow through afterwards with keeping the weight off. That IS a lot of money.

[Pam G]

I totaled all my bills related to my sleeve and it was crazy....like $85K

insurance pays out more because everyone charges more when insurance is involved. They have to overcharge insurance companies to compensate for the folks that don't have insurance.

[Christie13]

I went through my insurance. I had lots of appointments over a 7 month period. I paid out my deductible in appointments ($1500 but I had that money already on my healthcare spending card because my employer gives me $750 of my deductible and I had not used any the year before so I did not actually spend that). Then I had to pay $590 for my surgery and $1500 for my one night hospital stay. The rest was paid by insurance. My insurance pays 90% and I had to pay 10%. It also includes all my follow ups with my surgeon for the year following surgery. I know my hospital stay alone was over $15K for one night in the hospital. So the insurance does pay a lot. I don't regret doing it the way I did because I feel like I learned so much going through this process with my surgeon's office. My nutritionist is top notch and I feel like everyone in the office is truly invested in my success. I can tell you if my insurance did not cover this surgery the only was I could have afforded it would have been to go to Mexico. It is really a shame that more insurance companies do not cover this surgery.

[DesertGal]

I would think insurance companies would WANT to cover the surgery and save on all the money they spend for medications that the patient uses monthly, for all the health related issues.
And hospitals charge SO much for everything! 2 years ago I tore my Achilles tendon right off the bone. I had outpatient surgery and the bill was over $30,000. (We had to pay the hospital admission amount of $350.)And most everything else was covered. I can imagine what the bill would have been had I stayed overnight!

[Pam G]

So many many people gain the weight back, though. I can tell you that the majority of Medicaid claims that came through preauthorization were either obesity or smoking related. Or, they were claims for children born messed up by prematurity.

I would think insurance companies would WANT to cover the surgery and save on all the money they spend for medications that the patient uses monthly, for all the health related issues.
And hospitals charge SO much for everything! 2 years ago I tore my Achilles tendon right off the bone. I had outpatient surgery and the bill was over $30,000. (We had to pay the hospital admission amount of $350.)And most everything else was covered. I can imagine what the bill would have been had I stayed overnight!

[DesertGal]

The surgeon had a slideshow/power point going at the seminar yesterday and some of his patients were shown, before and after surgery. So many had lost a LOT of weight: 120 lbs; 150 lbs; 160 lbs. And he stressed that THESE people not only ate what was recommended for their new eating habits, but they all went to a gym or worked out faithfully for 5 days a week. And kept it off years after the surgery. I know it's going to be a challenge to get back into exercising daily, but I know it will be easier, without all this extra weight clinging to me like grim death.

[Pattimelt]

I, too, am looking forward to exercising with a slimmer, healthier body. In my mind right now, I can't imagine exercising five days a week. I'm so badly out of shape due to Years of illness and obesity. But I'm forgetting that it will be EASIER when I've lost weight and have more energy. I can't wait! It's been twenty years since I was a normal weight and in decent shape. Better late than never I think.

[DesertGal]

Pattimelt, I JUST finished my 20 minutes of Zumba a half hour ago! I am so out of shape and can only handle 20 minutes of it for now, but a week ago I was at 10 minutes. (It really is excellent cardio, and that's what the nutritionist said to do daily- cardio.) When I am finished dancing around my living room, and panting like an Olympian athlete whose just ran a mile in a matter of minutes (but look nothing like one ), I think back to when I could do a full hour and still walk out of the gym in one piece, not wishing for a comet to hit me! Maybe by the end of next summer I can do 40 minutes and look much better at it. My husband stays in the family room but can hear me while I am working my heart out.

[Leslieann]

It does surprise when I read what doctors charge when someone is paying cash.
I got mine done in Florida at a Bariatric Center of Excellence, the director did meysurgery. I spent 2 nights on a med/surg telemetry floor. I had excellent care and thee most modern equipment I've seen ( I'm in the healthcare business). His package also included pre-op work-up and clearance for 10,500. Wow on top of that he was an awesome doctor!

[Christie13]

The exercise gets easier with the weight loss because you're not carrying around all that extra weight.

[DesertGal]

The exercise gets easier with the weight loss because you're not carrying around all that extra weight.

Tell me about it. I feel like a pack mule or better yet... like I'm pulling a travel trailer behind me!