Re: [MiniGastricBypass]more questions

April 30, 2000

Hi Darlene,

I was a self pay and my insurance paid for the preop tests from my PCP

although I'm not sure he coded it as preop testing. It was normal blood work

and EKG that usually goes with a physical. Some insurances will cover if

there are complications however there are many that won't. That is something

you will have to check out with your particular insurance. I figured if I

had complications and my insurance didn't pay, I would be making payments for

the rest of my life but at least I would have a life. My prescription plan

also picked up the cost of the meds. I'm not sure about all presecription

plans on that. Below are my costs from my MGB 3/20/00.

My self-pay costs

Below are my costs. I sat and wrote down all my costs so I can keep track of

all medical for the year 2000 because part of it will be able to be deducted

on taxes. (hint)

Anesthesia:

I had to send a check to the anesthesiologists for $600 and then they billed

me the balance after the surgery. Mine was another $258 but that can vary

depending on length of surgery etc. My surgery was only 40 minutes.

Professional Fee:

The morning of clinic (3/17) I made a check out to Dr. Rutledge for $3.455.

That was his fee (less 20% discount and the clinic fee)

Hospital Charges:

When I was admitted to the hospital I had to write a check to them for

$11,000. After the final cost is in they will either bill me or refund me. I

called the hospital today to see what my final bill was and it looks like it

is $9,014 and they sent me a refund check within 30 days for $3,788. So

that put my hospital bill at $7,212. I had surgery on Monday and went home on

Tuesday morning. Those were my costs and I had no complications. Thank

God.....

Jane Kunert

MGB 3/20/00

April 30, 2000

I know that after surgery you can not drink as much as your used to so you

sip all day .....right? Has your need to go to uhm...(tinkle)...has that

slowed down? Do you sweat as much as you did? Has anyone (like me who is

hooked on soft drinks) just forgotten oh no I was not supposed to drink that?

Thanks

from Fayetteville,NC

April 30, 2000

Genz,

If you read my self pay costs, I did list that Durham Regional did give a 20%

discount for paying up front. Dr Rutledge arranged this with them. He also

gives a 20% discount on his fee.

It really helped in keeping the cost down.

Jane Kunert

MGB 3/20/00

April 30, 2000

, I had my surgery on 12/20/99. The sipping thing does not last for to

long after surgery. I find that everyday I can drink a little more than

before. I have found that the need to tinkle is more often for me now that I

have had surgery I think because I am drinking more. I think my drinks are

replacing my food now. As far as the soft drinks I still drink Diet Coke.

Before surgery I use to drink 2- 6 packs a day of diet coke now I might drink

one every other day. My starting weight was 280 and I am down to 199 as of

today. Liz

April 30, 2000

, I had my surgery on 12/20/99. The sipping thing does not last for to

long after surgery. I find that everyday I can drink a little more than

before. I have found that the need to tinkle is more often for me now that I

have had surgery I think because I am drinking more. I think my drinks are

replacing my food now. As far as the soft drinks I still drink Diet Coke.

Before surgery I use to drink 2- 6 packs a day of diet coke now I might drink

one every other day. My starting weight was 280 and I am down to 199 as of

today. Liz

April 30, 2000

, I had my surgery on 12/20/99. The sipping thing does not last for to

long after surgery. I find that everyday I can drink a little more than

before. I have found that the need to tinkle is more often for me now that I

have had surgery I think because I am drinking more. I think my drinks are

replacing my food now. As far as the soft drinks I still drink Diet Coke.

Before surgery I use to drink 2- 6 packs a day of diet coke now I might drink

one every other day. My starting weight was 280 and I am down to 199 as of

today. Liz

April 30, 2000

Hi ,

Yes I sip all day. However, my trips to the bathroom are a lot fewer than

prior to MGB. There have been a couple days that I would have given anything

for a soda but I knew I couldn't and wouldn't. The feeling passes.

Jane Kunert

MGB 3/20/00

April 30, 2000

Hi ,

Yes I sip all day. However, my trips to the bathroom are a lot fewer than

prior to MGB. There have been a couple days that I would have given anything

for a soda but I knew I couldn't and wouldn't. The feeling passes.

Jane Kunert

MGB 3/20/00

April 30, 2000

Hi ,

Yes I sip all day. However, my trips to the bathroom are a lot fewer than

prior to MGB. There have been a couple days that I would have given anything

for a soda but I knew I couldn't and wouldn't. The feeling passes.

Jane Kunert

MGB 3/20/00

April 30, 2000

Thanks for a prompt response to my previous questions. I see at the bottom

under

the name some information that I don't quite understand. It will list a date

for

surgery and then the insurance company and the status with the insurance

company. Is this info that you choose to post to let others who have that

insurance know what is happening? Is that the point of it? Also, how does it

work if you are self pay? I am determined to do this with or without insurance,

but of course with is preferred. Will the insurance pay for the labs and preop

work-up? Will the insurance pay for follow up care in the future after the

surgery? What if complications arise during surgery? Do they hold you hostage

until you pay up? I am going to my PCP to ask him to follow me thru this and I

am concerned. The last time I talked to him about weight loss, I was requesting

medication. That is a long story, but, he refused and told me to go to Weight

Watchers. I am concerned about this appointment.

Darlene

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April 30, 2000