Re: Cost of surgery

[Guest guest]

AJ,

I too had to take a loan in order to help pay for my surgery. Insurance covered

so much and I will be paying for the rest over the next 5 years. I do feel very

lucky that my insurance paid for quite a bit of my surgery. I am very lucky to

have the support of my family to help me with the recovery. I am also very

lucky that my company has paid sick time so I didn't have to rush back to work.

I do appreciate what I do have, I guess I just don't say it enough.

Kathy M.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/27/01 11:44:33 AM Central Daylight Time,

editorking@... writes:

> I am just shy of 8 months post op and down 105 pounds, I have hit the

> 70% of excess weight lost and I feel better than I have ever felt

> before, and that is priceless.

>

Teri,

I love your attitude. I had my mind made up that this would be my attitude

if I ended up in this situatin too. I was very lucky and did not. All was

paid except my $250 deductible and 170 to the lab pathologist. Any time

there is someone in need of money to overcome financial hardships to have

surgery, I remember this. I am very thankful for my situation. I know there

are others that aren't as fortunate.

When I was looking into surgery, the worst case senerio was to go to Spain (

I am so glad I didn't have to do this because although Dr. B is great it

would be a scary experience for someone who has never traveled out of the

country.) At about $15,000 it is only the difference between driving an SUV

and a compact car in the next car purchase down the road. I figured this

would definately be worth that! I know! I know! I think to much (or at

least that is what my husband says)!!! LOL

Dawn

Dr. Hess

[Guest guest]

> I've been dwelling on this alot the past few days and finally...I have to=

say

> something!!

>

> I keep seeing posts of people talking about how they got stuck with bills=

due

> to this or that. Or they have to pay this much etc. Now I'm a single pa=

rent

> working full time and going to college...believe me ...I appreciate the

> dollar very much.

> So my message is just to remember to appreicate what you do have...even i=

f

its going to cost a bit more than you thought.....

I need to reply to this post, I totally, totally agree with what you

are saying. I too am a single parent, I work two jobs and I go to

school. I was offered the RnY paid for at 100% and the DS at 70% with

a 5K out of pocket. I also had a lawyer fee (very reasonable), travel,

hotel and transportation, I depleted my savings accounts, maxed out the

card and took out a small bank loan.

Is my life worth that, absolutely! Is the DS worth it, OH…YES…YES…YES!

I am just shy of 8 months post op and down 105 pounds, I have hit the

70% of excess weight lost and I feel better than I have ever felt

before, and that is priceless.

Teri

BPD/DS 2/5/01

Dr. Hess, Bowling Green, OH

Highest weight 305 pounds

Weight 287, BMI 50.8, 2/5/01

Weight 182, BMI 30, 9/25/01 The future is yours to make -- so make it a

good one!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 09/27/2001 2:20:51 PM Central Daylight Time,

lookn2bthin@... writes:

> >I am so glad I didn't have to do this because although Dr. B is great it

> >would be a scary experience for someone who has never traveled out of the

> >country

>

> Thats me!! I've never even traveled without my parents before...LOL Yes

> I'm 37...LOL When you're a single parent there is never money to do

> anything....so home I have sat. Course due to my size I didn't care to go

> anywhere either! It was scary but once I left it was exciting. I think if

> nothing else I saw that I could be adventurous and also that when I had my

> mind made up I could follow thru! The trip to surgery tho is very personal

> and very individual...I'm just glad I got to do what I wanted just as you

> did.

>

> AJ

>

AJ,

I admire you. If I would have been in your situation, I would have

eventually ended up doing the same thing. Just would have been scary!!! I

am a very independent person, but I also always worry about what others think

(have worked on that since I have gotten older). I was really worried how I

would convince others that I wasn't crazy to go to Spain. I know you weren't

crazy to go, but I really didn't want to hear it from others. In fact I

didn't even tell my family I traveled 4.5 hours and 2 states away to Ohio to

have WLS until I was 1 year out. I just didn't need the aggravation. I am

so glad that Dr. B is there because I feel it opens up the opportunities for

this surgery tremendously!!!

Dawn--South Suburban Chicago area

Dr. Hess, Bowling Green, OH

BPD/DS

4/27/00

www.duodenalswitch.com

267 to 165 5' 4 "

size 22 to size 10

have made size goal

no more high blood pressure, sore feet, or dieting

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 09/27/2001 2:39:31 PM Central Daylight Time,

timarie55@... writes:

> We have all spent,

> hundreds and thousands on diets, gyms, weight loss programs,

> prescriptions, but most of all, we have paid with our souls, hearts,

> and bodies with a lot of pain and hurt.

>

I remember thinking after I only had to pay my $250 deductible and $170 of a

lab fee that this is the cheapest diet (NOT) I have ever been on!

Dawn--South Suburban Chicago area

Dr. Hess, Bowling Green, OH

BPD/DS

4/27/00

www.duodenalswitch.com

267 to 165 5' 4 "

size 22 to size 10

have made size goal

no more high blood pressure, sore feet, or dieting

[Guest guest]

It is notes like this that make me sooo thankful that someone at my

insurance (United Health Care) suggested that I use Mt. Sinai instead

of Dr. Hares, because they did not cover the hospital where he

performed surgery at.

I have only paid my out of pocket max. which is a little over $2000.

That all!! Everything else is covered at 100%!!

However, Mt. Sinai did try to bill me for the portion the UHC did not

cover, but it only took one phone call to my insurance to take care of

that issue.

So lesson learned - Watch your Bills!!!!

Mickey L.

Dr. Inabnet - Mt. Sinai

7/31/01

55 pounds gone forever!!!

> Patti WI--figure on $10,000 for Gagner, $13,000 for the main

hospital bill if

> you are there for 4 days, plus $2000 for incidentals plus radiology,

> pathology, etc., which Mt Sinai bills separately. I expect Aetna to

allow

> about half of Gagner's bill as reasonable and customary. After they

pay their

> 70%, that leaves me owing Gagner $6500. As to the $15000 Mt Sinai

wants,

> Aetna has allowed about $4500 and paid 70% of that amount, leaving

me owing

> about $12,000, according to Mt Sinai. Of course, I am contesting

and

> appealing on all fronts, but to answer your question, in the worst

case

> scenario, I am out of pocket over $18,000. I hope this info helps

you...and

> I hope your insurer is more generous than mine!!!

>

> Laurie N.

> Lap BPD-DS 8/27/99

> Dr. Gagner, Mt. Sinai Hospital

> Pre-op wt. 432

> 10/12/99 wt. 385

[Guest guest]

AJ, I understand what you're saying. I would LOVE it

if my insurer paid all but $5,000. Right now, they

won't pay any, though, and that's why I'm fighting.

And will continue to fight.

Heck, I work/ed at an insurance company - I know they

aren't all evil. Somewhat but not all! (And I was

with a Prop & Cas insurer, not health!)

It is very frustrating to see the surgery we want and

need... hear great things about it... know it is what

will give us back our lives.... and then have our

insurer say " no " for stupid reasons.

Take care,

dee

--- lookn2bthin@... wrote:

> I've been dwelling on this alot the past few days

> and finally...I have to say

> something!!

>

> I keep seeing posts of people talking about how they

> got stuck with bills due

> to this or that. Or they have to pay this much etc.

> Now I'm a single parent

> working full time and going to college...believe me

> ...I appreciate the

> dollar very much. I also had to COMPLETELY pay for

> my surgery due to my

> insurance refusing over and over.

>

> I just wanted to remind everyone of several things.

> And some of this is also

> junk I hear at work when people are mad because they

> have to part with some

> money for their health care. I think like myself,

> sometimes I forget to

> appreicate how it could be worse....and I should be

> thankful for what I do

> have in my life.

>

> 1. Insurance may not be as good as it has been in

> the past, but it was never

> meant to be considered payment in full 100% of the

> time. Insurance is to

> help...and it does. My regular dr visits are over

> $100 everytime I go. I

> pay $15. My prescriptions are over $100, I pay

> roughly $35. Sure, they

> don't cover things I think they should, but this is

> the real world and I do

> accept the fact that for the everyday stuff, I'm

> getting my money's worth.

>

> 2. Appreicate what the insurance will cover. If

> you have a 30,000 bill and

> have to pay 5000....think about the 25,000 you don't

> have to pay. Think

> about all of us that dont get ANY help. At least

> you get the majority

> paid...insurance never promised to pay everything

> 100%, those days are long

> gone due to continued abuses by consumers using ER's

> and other things that

> ran up bills and drs that commit fraud.

>

> 3. Give some thought as you look at the amount you

> have to pay to how many

> people have left this list because their insurance

> WOULD NOT pay and they

> didn't have the resources to get the surgery on

> their own. We're all lucky,

> either we had the money the insurance didn't cover

> to pay ourselves or we

> were able to borrow. There are many that don't get

> the surgery because they

> don't have the resources.

>

> 4. Here in Washington state, if you're on DSHS or

> disability, you have no

> choice but the RNY. Appreciate the fact that you

> have the ability and

> resources to choose what you want, even if its not

> covered 100%.

>

> I'm not trying to put anyone down here, but I just

> keep seeing comments about

> how much its costing and I know its expensive, but

> don't we all feel we are

> worth it? I didn't create a 15 year loan so I could

> afford my surgery

> because it was a waste of money!!

>

> So my message is just to remember to appreicate what

> you do have...even if

> its going to cost a bit more than you thought.....

>

> ~~* AJ *~~

> Age 37 5'8''

> Post op 7/24/01 Open BPD/DS

> self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

> 07/24/01 BMI 64 415.1

>

> 08/06/01 BMI 59 390.2 -24.9 lbs! -10.75

> inches

> 08/16/01 BMI 58 387.0 -28.1 lbs! -11.25

> inches

> 08/24/01 BMI 58 386.5 -28.6 lbs! -15.5

> inches

> 08/30/01 BMI 58 378.3 -36.8 lbs! -21.25

> inches

> 09/10/01 BMI 57 373.0 -42.1 lbs!

> 09/24/01 BMI 55 367.1 -48.0 lbs!

>

> My personal website: www.WLS4AJ.homestead.com

>

> Check out the Bellingham Support Group at

> WWW.WLSBellingham.homestead.com

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

>

----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Teri

So glad to hear your doing well. We post-ops need to continue to post

words of encouragement and our wonderful results to those fighting this

battle to obtain the surgery.Hopefully we can help to reassure them that

this is worth and we have went through the battle as well, so they know they

are not alone.

I had the VBG in 94 and it failed in one year. For about 4 years I

searched and worked to get it revised with no luck, no one wanted to touch

me, which was a blessing because I was after the RNY due to not knowing

about the DS.I actually sought out and went to work for a company that had

BC/BS PPO, because I knew they paid for the DS, no questions asked. In doing

so I took a substantial pay cut and when I had my surgery I quickly depleted

all my savings to pay bills and survive. I was in financial hardships for

quite awhile.

I am 7 months post op, and OMG I would do it again in a heartbeat. I

weighed 263 the day of my consult in November.. I lost down to 245 the day

of my surgery, I am currently at 173 and feeling like a million dollars!

So to those of you fighting,, KEEP GOING!!! Someday you will be

sitting in our seats and you will know this feeling and be happy to share it

and encourage others.

Know that God is near and he hears your prayers

Renae

>From: editorking@...

>Reply-To: duodenalswitch

>To: duodenalswitch

>Subject: Re: Cost of surgery

>Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2001 16:40:48 -0000

>

> > I've been dwelling on this alot the past few days and finally...I have

>to=

> say

> > something!!

> >

> > I keep seeing posts of people talking about how they got stuck with

>bills=

> due

> > to this or that. Or they have to pay this much etc. Now I'm a single

>pa=

>rent

> > working full time and going to college...believe me ...I appreciate the

> > dollar very much.

>

> > So my message is just to remember to appreicate what you do have...even

>i=

>f

>its going to cost a bit more than you thought.....

>

>I need to reply to this post, I totally, totally agree with what you

>are saying. I too am a single parent, I work two jobs and I go to

>school. I was offered the RnY paid for at 100% and the DS at 70% with

>a 5K out of pocket. I also had a lawyer fee (very reasonable), travel,

>hotel and transportation, I depleted my savings accounts, maxed out the

>card and took out a small bank loan.

>

>Is my life worth that, absolutely! Is the DS worth it, OH…YES…YES…YES!

>

>I am just shy of 8 months post op and down 105 pounds, I have hit the

>70% of excess weight lost and I feel better than I have ever felt

>before, and that is priceless.

>

>

>

>Teri

>BPD/DS 2/5/01

>Dr. Hess, Bowling Green, OH

>Highest weight 305 pounds

>Weight 287, BMI 50.8, 2/5/01

>Weight 182, BMI 30, 9/25/01 The future is yours to make -- so make it a

>good one!

>

>

>

>

>----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

dwkteach@... wrote:

>I am so glad I didn't have to do this because although Dr. B is great it

>would be a scary experience for someone who has never traveled out of the

>country

Thats me!! I've never even traveled without my parents before...LOL Yes I'm

37...LOL When you're a single parent there is never money to do anything....so

home I have sat. Course due to my size I didn't care to go anywhere either! It

was scary but once I left it was exciting. I think if nothing else I saw that I

could be adventurous and also that when I had my mind made up I could follow

thru! The trip to surgery tho is very personal and very individual...I'm just

glad I got to do what I wanted just as you did.

AJ

[Guest guest]

AJ,

I am laughing, because I remember when I was going through my

divorce. I was being taken to the cleaners, and I was falling apart.

He got half my home, alimony for 7 years, left me with all the bills,

etc etc etc. As I was whining, to a very dear friend, he looked at

am and said, tell me, how much would you pay to be happy again. It

put my whole life into perspective. No matter what it cost, it was

worth it to be out of an abusive situation.

Yes, money offers a lot of security, but what would you be willing to

pay to be pain free, thin, mobile, healthy??? I am very lucky

because I happen to have an insurance that will cover almost all of

my costs. However, I remember ten years ago, being on a liquid

fast, which I figure cost me about $10,000. We have all spent,

hundreds and thousands on diets, gyms, weight loss programs,

prescriptions, but most of all, we have paid with our souls, hearts,

and bodies with a lot of pain and hurt.

Thanks for helping put things into perspective. Noone wants to pay,

to scrimp and save, but ahhhhh, keep your eyes on the goal...and it

will be worth it!

Theresa (2)

> I've been dwelling on this alot the past few days and finally...I

have to say

> something!!

>

> I keep seeing posts of people talking about how they got stuck with

bills due

> to this or that. Or they have to pay this much etc. Now I'm a

single parent

> working full time and going to college...believe me ...I appreciate

the

> dollar very much. I also had to COMPLETELY pay for my surgery due

to my

> insurance refusing over and over.

>

> I just wanted to remind everyone of several things. And some of

this is also

> junk I hear at work when people are mad because they have to part

with some

> money for their health care. I think like myself, sometimes I

forget to

> appreicate how it could be worse....and I should be thankful for

what I do

> have in my life.

>

> 1. Insurance may not be as good as it has been in the past, but it

was never

> meant to be considered payment in full 100% of the time. Insurance

is to

> help...and it does. My regular dr visits are over $100 everytime I

go. I

> pay $15. My prescriptions are over $100, I pay roughly $35. Sure,

they

> don't cover things I think they should, but this is the real world

and I do

> accept the fact that for the everyday stuff, I'm getting my money's

worth.

>

> 2. Appreicate what the insurance will cover. If you have a 30,000

bill and

> have to pay 5000....think about the 25,000 you don't have to pay.

Think

> about all of us that dont get ANY help. At least you get the

majority

> paid...insurance never promised to pay everything 100%, those days

are long

> gone due to continued abuses by consumers using ER's and other

things that

> ran up bills and drs that commit fraud.

>

> 3. Give some thought as you look at the amount you have to pay to

how many

> people have left this list because their insurance WOULD NOT pay

and they

> didn't have the resources to get the surgery on their own. We're

all lucky,

> either we had the money the insurance didn't cover to pay ourselves

or we

> were able to borrow. There are many that don't get the surgery

because they

> don't have the resources.

>

> 4. Here in Washington state, if you're on DSHS or disability, you

have no

> choice but the RNY. Appreciate the fact that you have the ability

and

> resources to choose what you want, even if its not covered 100%.

>

> I'm not trying to put anyone down here, but I just keep seeing

comments about

> how much its costing and I know its expensive, but don't we all

feel we are

> worth it? I didn't create a 15 year loan so I could afford my

surgery

> because it was a waste of money!!

>

> So my message is just to remember to appreicate what you do

have...even if

> its going to cost a bit more than you thought.....

>

> ~~* AJ *~~

> Age 37 5'8''

> Post op 7/24/01 Open BPD/DS

> self pay - Dr Baltasar -Alcoy Spain

> 07/24/01 BMI 64 415.1

> 08/06/01 BMI 59 390.2 -24.9 lbs! -10.75 inches

> 08/16/01 BMI 58 387.0 -28.1 lbs! -11.25 inches

> 08/24/01 BMI 58 386.5 -28.6 lbs! -15.5 inches

> 08/30/01 BMI 58 378.3 -36.8 lbs! -21.25 inches

> 09/10/01 BMI 57 373.0 -42.1 lbs!

> 09/24/01 BMI 55 367.1 -48.0 lbs!

>

> My personal website: www.WLS4AJ.homestead.com

>

> Check out the Bellingham Support Group at

WWW.WLSBellingham.homestead.com

>

>

>