Yeh in the seminar and I asked at the office I was told they would be covered for the first year so I wonder what that is about. HMM? A friend of mine went to the office for her psyche eval and was pissed to pay the $150 and only be with the doctor for 15 minutes. When she called the office to discuss feeling overcharged they were rude to her. She is now going to another Dr and trying to get me to rethink continueing with them. I have heard alot of good things about their skills and am already scheduled so think I will stick with it. It just concerns me. How do you feel about it? Have you had an actual visit with Dr. Soong? I scheduled an appt to meet him and they were just fine about it so I don't know.

Hello all. I am scheduled for lap band with Dr. Soong on Oct 30th. I have also thought the cattle thing. I have been in the office 3x now and it was very odd. I know they are good Drs. but I think the initial consultation could be done by them and not a P.A. It did not reassure me and I am nervous. I said that to the girls in the office and they said I could set an appt with dr soong on a monday if I like. I'm thinking I just might do that. I guess there are just so many of us waiting that it is easier to get us all through if their staff deals with us on that end. I received a packet in the mail with my copays and fees so I hope there are no surprises. I just need to call Maria at North Vista and find our it I have a pay to them as well because hospital is not included in physicians out of pocket quote. My biggest worry financially right now is having issues with my adjustments and being charged when I was told at seminar it was covered for first year after surgery. Last time I was in there was a patient who was having 3rd fill and was told she owed $900. I don't know if I would worry too much about the cigna thing. I have United and they told me the exact same things about my insurance. I wish you ladies well and maybe you should sponsor each other!

I called the surgeons office today and got some info.  There is a $250 fee everyone has to pay.  It includes a $100 admin fee and $150 for the protein shakes and scale.  The just call it $250 admin fee.   Hopefully that helps at least understand the fee.  I still don't know why you weren't told on day one at your consult. 

I don't even have a support person to come with me.  My cousin is my support but can't make 1-330, she has kids to get from school.  So I don't know what I am going to do.  No one said anything about the $250.  Or is that the admin fee they say insurance does not cover?  I have yet to hear anything about scale and shakes.  You do feel like cattle and that has not changed in 4yrs.  But Doc knows his stuff.  He is really great, very personal.  He will make you feel like you always knew him.  Keep me posted on what happens Wednesday.  Good Luck Friday.

We have the same surgery date!!!  My cousin had Dr. Atkinson for her RNY 4 years ago.  I was her support person.  He is wonderful.  Very soft-spoken.  Really nice and comforting.  The office is like being a herd of cattle the way the send you through.  But they do great follow up and know their stuff.  I wish I could go in on Halloween..lol  When is your pre-op?