beachlover09

I found out that my surgery was billed as outpatient surgery. If you have basic plan, you pay $150 co pay for outpatient surgery, plus 30% of all agents and drugs. So, the $1612 is 30% of my staples and drugs I got while in the hospital. I am paying $800 my part for the staples alone. One shot of zofran for nausea was $423, my part was $126.90. If I would have stayed for inpatient surgery, I would only have to pay $300 total for two days. I would definitely talk to your surgeon and make sure you are going to be inpatient. My surgeon's office nor my insurance rep failed to tell me this info. It could have saved me over $1300. UGH. Oh well, at least I'm not paying the total $41,800 that the surgery actually cost. Good luck Mel34. Keep me updated with your progress.

I had my surgery October 3rd. I received my bill, and it says I owe $1612. Everyone I have talked to on these forums said they only paid $150 copayment. My insurance rep told me that if I could get someone else's ID number, she could compare to see what the problem is with mine. Is anyone sweet enough to give me their ID number? Or I can give you my insurance rep's name and number. You can call her or she can call you to get the info? I would appreciate it so much! I was expecting only a $150 copayment and not this crazy amount. Thanks so much.

Congrats on the start of your journey! I have Basic Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield, and I had surgery in Texas. My doctor just documented that I came into his office for weight loss management. He provided the insurance company with a letter explaining that the surgery is medically necessary, provided my weight history for the past two years, and listed the diets I have tried within the past five years. It was a one-page letter. The beginning of the entire process was a breeze. It got really annoying once my surgeon's office turned in everything to the insurance company. It was submitted August 21. They sent a letter to my surgeon on September 7th requesting documentation of the nutritionist visit (that was already submitted). We didn't get the letter until September 16th, and it was re-submitted. I called the insurance company on September 19th to make sure everything was okay. They said that I was approved. My surgeon's office called, and they told them the same thing. So we scheduled the surgery for October 3rd. On September 29th, my surgeon's office called for a pre-certification (something they do a few days before the surgery). BCBS said that I wasn't approved, and they are waiting for the further documentation. After we provided a "approval code", they said it was a "reference" code and not an approval code. Needless to say, I wasn't actually approved until a million phone calls later - the Friday before my surgery on Monday. I was a wreck - had been on a liquid diet for two weeks not knowing if I was even going to be approved at the last minute. SO, my point is - stay on top of everything. When you call, get a reference code to each conversation. When they say you are approved, have them fax you a copy (the mailing takes forever). If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. I am two weeks out, and would do every single thing all over again. I'm down 25 lbs since the beginning of my pre-op diet. Such an amazing feeling! Good luck with everything!!!

I am so glad I am not the only one feeling like a hair is stuck in my throat. My husband thinks I am crazy because it was all I talked about last night. It is absolutely driving me crazy. Funny, I am only two weeks out from the surgery and such a small thing is driving me crazy. You would think the liquid diet would be more bothersome!! Did you ever get any relief? How long did it take, or what did you do?

I have 21 days of full liquid diet of which I have completed 5 days. I stocked up on chicken broth, but it just doesn't taste good anymore. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to eat? I can have anything as long as it can go through a strainer. Any help would be much appreciated!

Thank you for the support! I am feeling somewhat better today, but I still have a lot of pain. I am just waiting until I am five days out and hopefully I'll feel better. Feel free to ask me any questions. I know I had a million questions before the surgery. I'm excited for you!

I really appreciate the positive thoughts! I'm really not sure how the pain is different, I just know that it is intense. I didn't even take pain meds when I got home from my c-section. With this surgery, I can tell immediately when it is time to take my pain meds again. The left side of my abdomen is constantly hurting. It is where they had the pain pump inserted. That what the worst part.....having a huge ball hanging from one side and a drainage package hanging from the other side. You couldn't sleep because you were constantley worried about pulling those out. I do feel somewhat better today. I am not near as nauseous, but I still have horrible pain. Oh, and the gas pain is ridiculous! The Gas-X stripes don't seem to help at all. I have a friend that had bypass surgery and she wasn't in pain for as long so I guess it just depends on the individual person. Thanks again for the support! I'll be glad to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you all for the support. I was sleeved on Monday around 1:15. I didn't wake up until around 4:30. They said everything went fine, but I wasn't prepared for the pain I would feel when I woke up. I realize I just had major surgery, but it was 10x more painful than my c-section. I am home now and still struggling to get liquids down. I have managed within the past two hours to get some liquids to stay down. I am just taking it one day at a time. I know it will all be worth it in the end.

Thanks!!! I appreciate it!

Thank you all for the support! I really appreciate you all. I honestly don't know what I would have done without this website and all the wonderful people on the forums. God bless you all!! See you all on the losers' bench. Oh, that feels so good to say!

The time has FINALLY come! I get sleeved tomorrow. The nerves still hasn't hit me yet, I am just ready to get it over with. I think the worst part is leaving my child. Other than that, I am really excited. So, does anyone have any advice or tips?

Congrats! When is your surgery date? Where are you having it done?

My office is going to put together a get well basket for me for my surgery on Monday. What will I need? They asked what I would prefer, but I have no clue. Any suggestions?

Good luck with everything. If you need anything, I am here! I have been there, done that. The best advice I can give is to not give up. Once everything has been submitted to insurance, call them A LOT. Keep informed and never give up. My surgeon's office said that my case was something that they have never seen before and that they usually have good luck with BCBS Federal. Hopefully you will have a much smoother process! Keep me updated!