Help!!! I am getting disappointed...

Does anyone have any experience with Financing the surgery or have any idea's or estimates of how much the surgery would cost? I am finishing up with the pre-op testing and my surgeon's office will probably be submitting my information to the insurance company by August 1st. I have been thinking about and preparing myself for a disappointing answer. After making the decision to have the surgery and going through all the pre op testing, I just can not imagine getting a denial or having to wait six or nine months after a diet. I think I might try and investigate financing. I can not continue to put my life on hold. I want to move, go back to school, etc.... Any advice or information anyone might have would be very helpful. I really don't know what to do. Thanks, Vanessa

Hi Vanessa, I was lucky enough to not have to finance the bulk of the surgery, but I am on payment plans with all my doctors (the hospital, the surgeon and the anastesiologist(you know what I mean)) for the portion that the insurance company didn't pay. The total cost of my surgery w/ all the trimmings was aproximately $65,000. BUT I was in the hospital for 6 days. SO if you hospital stay is shorter than it could be a bit less. Hope this helps and BEST OF LUCK!!!!!!!!!! Ilyssa

Hi Vanessa, Good luck with all the testing and I hope the insurance approves. I was self pay. I had rny in November. Total with my doctor was $25K. I financed through CapitalOne healthcare patient financing. I got a very reasonable interest rate. Many doctors work with finance companies. There are a few others who specialize in healthcare financing. With the cost and having to do a loan and all that - I'd do it all again in a minute! Best of luck! Hugs - Robin

Thanks for the help. I was thinking about looking in to the CapitalOne thing. Vanessa

Hi Vanessa, There are some WLS patients who went to Mexico because it was sooo much less expensive. I have mixed feelings about that, but it's definitely worth looking into. Good luck, Maryellen

Thanks for the response!

Hey Vanessa.... I have noticed that the majority of our peers at Obesityhelp.com, who have Empire BCBS insurance have gotten their surgery approved.... I also will try to get my surgery approved with Empire BCBS through the Minimally Invasive Bariatric Clinic at Lenox Hill Hospital, here in the city (NYC). I have to wait 6 months through my insurance, since I don't have any "medical records" proving my failed diet attempts. But, I have high hopes that perhaps my insurance will approve me in October, and I may get my wish of becoming healthy for the first time in my life. If push comes to shove, you may only have to see a nutritionist for about 2-3 months (since you have proof of health maintenance attempts). To our consolation, time seems to be passing by fast. Best of luck to you in July! I will pray that your surgery goes well and gets approved soon. Sincerely \(^_^)/ susie

Hi Vanessa, When I initially have my surgery I never had to pay anything upfront. The hospital can't deny you to stay there but they just hit you w/the bills afterwards. I had to pay 10% of everything in the hospital and I mean everything...from room/board to in house doctor visits to IV meds to CT-Scans etc. They didnt send me those bills until way afterwards. Might you I was in the hospital initially for close to two months so my bills were quite large. I am STILL paying off some bills from my inital stay in the hospital on top of my new medical bills. Its annoying but what can you do! good luck!

Hey Tavia, I had a co-worker/friend who also got " hit with the bills" afterwards. I think she may be declaring bankruptcy actually. I am just so worried about having to wait around and put my life on hold waiting for approval. I am not really in the best financial situation so I guess I should really think about it... Thanks for the response! Vanessa

I used Dr. Brathwaite also, and they handled all the insurance stuff! It was scary at the end bc I have blue/cross blue/shield PPO, Minnesota (I think!) and I didn't get approved until 2 days before surgery, I had all my pre-op stuff done at the hospital, so I was sitting on pins and needles, but they fought for me and I was approved. They know what they are doing and should tell you if you need the 6 months of medically supervised diet. I had to pay for about 10% of pre-op testing, the most expensive being the stress test which I had to pay $480. All the rest was under $100, or $25 copays. Honestly, I don't know about the hospital stay, I haven't recieved any bills yet! I had surgery 3 weeks ago. by the way, Dr. B is fanstastic! Lil