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  1. #1
    Gastric Sleeve Member GlennA18's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Glenn
    Surgery date
    08/14/2018
    Surgeon
    Dr. Holder-Haynes
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Last Activity
    01-06-2019 10:32 AM
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    165
    Said "Thanks" 132 Times
    Was Thanked 134 Times in 87 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 9 Times

    Default Surgery is EXPENSIVE

    I now completely understand why many folks go to Mexico for the surgery.

    I pre-registered with the hospital today. The lady on the phone nearly gave me a heart attack.

    She starts by asking if I have any other insurance. I'm thinking - that's not a great question.
    I tell her know and she says my portion of the bill is 25% of the total. The total cost of the procedure is $218,489.00. I said - do you mean Twenty-One Thousand? She said no - Two Hundred and eighteen thousand.

    But - My portion is $2709.00. I'll have met my max out of pocket of $5000 when I pay this.
    They actually agreed to $900 upfront and will bill the remainder.

    I knew this surgery was expensive, but I had no idea.

    Thank God I have insurance.



    * High Weight = 339 * * * Surgery Weight = 276 *

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  3. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  4. #2
    Gastric Sleeve Member Princessbeepbop's Avatar
    Surgery date
    09/18/2018
    Surgeon
    Dr. Almanza
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Last Activity
    02-06-2019 06:33 PM
    Posts
    18
    Said "Thanks" 5 Times
    Was Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 1 Times

    Default Re: Surgery is EXPENSIVE

    Did you ask her what the price was self pay completely? Sometimes it’s cheaper. Insurance has become such a scam it’s ridiculous



  5. #3
    Gastric Sleeve Member denzel's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    02/02/2015
    Surgeon
    Dr Stephen Watson
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Perth, Western Australia
    Posts
    184
    Said "Thanks" 205 Times
    Was Thanked 103 Times in 76 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 34 Times

    Default Re: Surgery is EXPENSIVE

    The total cost of the procedure is $218,489.00. I said - do you mean Twenty-One Thousand? She said no - Two Hundred and eighteen thousand.

    I think that she is confused! I know, in New Zealand, that the op - surgery + anaesthetist , OT and hospital stay is about $25,000.00 (uninsured).

    Here in Australia I have top-level private health insurance, including Hospital + Extras cover (which I pay over $2000.00/year for). They covered my hospital stay, OT,and paid some for my Surgeon and Anaesthetist. I THINK that I had about a $3500.00 Gap to pay.

    All the best!



  6. #4
    Gastric Sleeve Member denzel's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    02/02/2015
    Surgeon
    Dr Stephen Watson
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Perth, Western Australia
    Posts
    184
    Said "Thanks" 205 Times
    Was Thanked 103 Times in 76 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 34 Times

    Default Re: Surgery is EXPENSIVE




  7. #5
    Gastric Sleeve Member Christie13's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Christie
    Surgery date
    11/03/2016
    Surgeon
    Dr. Wright
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Last Activity
    09-12-2019 04:13 PM
    Posts
    5,169
    Said "Thanks" 978 Times
    Was Thanked 2,940 Times in 2,192 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 1,465 Times
    Blog Entries
    97

    Default Re: Surgery is EXPENSIVE

    My surgeon's office charges $13,500 for the procedure alone. I know that my night in the hospital was $15k but I only had to pay my 10% for insurance. That does not include all the pre op procedures and testing that was required by insurance. My insurance only pays 50% of the procedure so I still owed $6750 for the surgery itself and $1500 for my hospital stay. It would have been cheaper for me to go to Mexico. (All my pre op appt's was covered by the $ my company puts on my health card since I rarely use it. They pay me 1/2 of my deductible every year onto it.)



  8. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  9. #6
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    07/30/2018
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Last Activity
    11-30-2018 05:34 PM
    Posts
    31
    Said "Thanks" 0 Times
    Was Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 3 Times

    Default Re: Surgery is EXPENSIVE

    I think you spoke to someone who didn't know what they are talking about. The cost for this surgery is not over $200,000. It varies but it's going to be around $20,000 to $30,000 including the doc and hospital. It might be more for special situations, little bit less for self pay. If you get a weird answer, call back and speak to someone else . I had my surgery all planned and someone at the insurance told me they stopped covering it! Insurance companies would NEVER pay if this surgery cost over $200,000.



  10. #7
    Gastric Sleeve Member MsLisa71's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Lisa
    Surgery date
    05/07/2018
    Surgeon
    Dr. Troy Houseworth
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Last Activity
    01-26-2020 03:01 PM
    Location
    Seattle-area
    Posts
    133
    Said "Thanks" 158 Times
    Was Thanked 128 Times in 70 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 6 Times

    Default Re: Surgery is EXPENSIVE

    I know hospitals vary in price (as do the programs that each surgeon requires)….these have been abundantly clear to me.

    This is a snippet of my actual EOB just for the hospital (facility) portion of my surgery.
    BCBS Hosp Bill.JPG

    These are for the Surgeon & Surgeon's Assistant:
    BCBS Surgeon Bill.JPG
    BCBS Surgery Assist Bill.JPG

    Then we have the Anesthesiologist:
    BCBS Anesthesiologist Bill.JPG

    And Radiologist who read my CT for leak testing:
    BCBS Radiologist Bill.JPG

    Now the Pathologist charge (interprets the specimen):
    BCBS Pathologist Bill.JPG

    And the Pathology charge (processes the specimen):
    BCBS Pathology Bill.JPG

    That's All Folks! This is just for day of surgery/overnight stay....this does not include preop exams and testing or postop visits.

    I ended up meeting my out-of-pocket max so some of these services were paid entirely by the insurance and no copay to me.

    I should add....I LOVE my Surgeon and his team. I would not have wanted to have gone anywhere else for my procedure. I had the best care from the pre & post op and I had excellent care in the OR, Recovery and on the floor for my overnight stay. Worth every single penny I will pay.


    HW 2016=310
    SW 5/7/18= 274

    4 weeks=241.6
    8 weeks=225.0
    12 weeks=214.8
    16 weeks=205.6
    20 weeks=198.6
    24 weeks=193.2

    6 Mos check-up w/Surgeon: 11/13/2018=189
    28 weeks=187
    32 weeks=181.2
    36 weeks=174
    39 weeks + 2 days=169.8 = GOAL!

    40 weeks=168
    44 weeks=163
    48 weeks=160.4
    51 weeks; day of 1-yr appt w/surgeon=159.4
    54 weeks=154

  11. #8
    Gastric Sleeve Member AnnieStillG's Avatar
    Surgery date
    10/05/2017
    Surgeon
    Dr. Ryan Heider
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Posts
    91
    Said "Thanks" 154 Times
    Was Thanked 49 Times in 34 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 22 Times

    Default Re: Surgery is EXPENSIVE

    I was self pay, and with all the bells & whistles, pre op, post op, and minor complications (thank goodness we opted for that insurance extra), it was $13,300 total.



  12. #9
    Gastric Sleeve Member GlennA18's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Glenn
    Surgery date
    08/14/2018
    Surgeon
    Dr. Holder-Haynes
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Last Activity
    01-06-2019 10:32 AM
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    165
    Said "Thanks" 132 Times
    Was Thanked 134 Times in 87 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 9 Times

    Default Re: Surgery is EXPENSIVE

    I'll have to verify with them again. I seriously was expecting about $25K, and I did absolutely quesiton her saying $218K. But she verified it.
    I may not call them again until next Friday, but I'll ask to verify the total cost, the self-pay cost and the number of nights hospital stay this cost includes.



    * High Weight = 339 * * * Surgery Weight = 276 *

  13. #10
    Gastric Sleeve Member Shirl's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Shirl
    Surgery date
    05/17/2016
    Surgeon
    Dr. Sergey Lyass
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    SoCal and Central Texas
    Posts
    1,310
    Said "Thanks" 976 Times
    Was Thanked 1,063 Times in 667 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 1,909 Times
    Blog Entries
    57

    Default Re: Surgery is EXPENSIVE

    Quote Originally Posted by GlennA18 View Post
    I now completely understand why many folks go to Mexico for the surgery.

    I pre-registered with the hospital today. The lady on the phone nearly gave me a heart attack.

    She starts by asking if I have any other insurance. I'm thinking - that's not a great question.
    I tell her know and she says my portion of the bill is 25% of the total. The total cost of the procedure is $218,489.00. I said - do you mean Twenty-One Thousand? She said no - Two Hundred and eighteen thousand.

    But - My portion is $2709.00. I'll have met my max out of pocket of $5000 when I pay this.
    They actually agreed to $900 upfront and will bill the remainder.

    I knew this surgery was expensive, but I had no idea.

    Thank God I have insurance.
    Yes it is! And I agree with others about insurance scamming is out of control in the U.S.

    I went with the outpatient option which still added up to over $3000 after I started getting the piecemeal bills!

    The aftercare adds up quickly too. Yesterday I went for my annual checkup. Last year my insurance covered everything. Yesterday the lab informed me that about three of the seven blood tests I was getting were not covered. I had to pay a little over $90. Still last year I paid nothing but my copay for doctor visit!

    Here is a similar blood panel I had http://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/pat...astrectomy.htm

    It is imperative that you keep in mind that the explicit and implicit costs of after gastric sleeve surgery.

    While preop, and the first six months may seem difficult to the newly sleeved. Maintenance is lifelong and the most chaIlenging. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

    Best of wishes as you embark on this journey!

    You are worth every cent you invest in your health!
    HW: 245lbs (11/15); SW: 226lbs (5/17/16) - Height: 5'6"

    Post-Op Weight:
    M1: 211.3 (-14.7)
    M2: 203 (-8.3)
    M3: 196.5 (-6.5)
    M4: 191.5 (-5)
    M5: 186.3 (-5.2)
    M6: (?)
    M7: (?)
    M8: 179.4 (-6.9)
    M9: 177.1 (-2.3)
    M10: 174 (-3.1)
    M11: 171.5 (-2.5)
    M12: 171 (-.5)
    Y1.1: 170 (-1)

    "Today is another day to get it right!"






  14. #11
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    06/25/2018
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Last Activity
    06-21-2020 05:03 PM
    Posts
    97
    Said "Thanks" 6 Times
    Was Thanked 69 Times in 41 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 3 Times

    Default Re: Surgery is EXPENSIVE

    No one pays anywhere near that. Hospitals are notorious for creative accounting mainly to try and make themselves not generate a paper profit or accounting for charity care or write off care. In the U.S. a sleeve is between 10-25k all in.



  15. #12
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Last Activity
    12-04-2018 03:51 PM
    Posts
    44
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    Was Thanked 18 Times in 12 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 19 Times

    Default Re: Surgery is EXPENSIVE

    Hi there.

    25% of 218K is not 2709. LOL. I would call the insurance directly. She is confused.

  16. #13
    Gastric Sleeve Member GlennA18's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Glenn
    Surgery date
    08/14/2018
    Surgeon
    Dr. Holder-Haynes
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Last Activity
    01-06-2019 10:32 AM
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    165
    Said "Thanks" 132 Times
    Was Thanked 134 Times in 87 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 9 Times

    Default Re: Surgery is EXPENSIVE

    Quote Originally Posted by IamDetermined View Post
    Hi there.

    25% of 218K is not 2709. LOL. I would call the insurance directly. She is confused.
    no - my portion is 2709, because I'll then meet my max out of pocket expense. She really didn't seem confused at all.



    * High Weight = 339 * * * Surgery Weight = 276 *

  17. #14
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    David
    Surgery date
    05/15/2018
    Surgeon
    Dr Ackroyd
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Last Activity
    06-08-2019 09:27 AM
    Location
    Isle of Man
    Posts
    7
    Said "Thanks" 2 Times
    Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 2 Times

    Default Re: Surgery is EXPENSIVE

    Mine in May was £7999.00 , Not 8000 lol, I paid for myself to have it done, The operation only took 40 minutes, But I was out for two hours and on the word for 3 nights after it, Everything was in with the price, David



  18. #15
    Gastric Sleeve Member PokerGuy's Avatar
    I have not had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    07/07/2017
    Surgeon
    Dr Mario Almanza
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Last Activity
    06-13-2023 05:16 PM
    Location
    Washington DC
    Posts
    120
    Said "Thanks" 9 Times
    Was Thanked 77 Times in 57 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 6 Times

    Default Re: Surgery is EXPENSIVE

    She is wrong- It can't be that expensive. If they are really charging your insurance company that I would find another doctor. Just tells you they your Doctor is a theif.



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