Lisa's Hope

This post is amazing Shelley. Most of what you wrote in this post describes how I feel exactly. Thanks for sharing this. It just reinforced what I know to be true. I have to do this no matter what. I just found out my surgery date will be May 21st. The date my life will start again for the better. Postive attitude and prayer will get us through and we will be successful!

Yeah.. Elizabeth, I was thinking today that if we pay for this surgery before we have it, what if something happens before or we change our mind? Do we get our money back?? LOL It is really hitting home with me too. I do have 3 weeks but all kinds of things are going through my mind. I'm sure we are doing the right thing. I know we are like everyone else on this site and need and want this so much that there isn't any other choice. I pray you have an easy surgery and speedy recovery. Keep me posted on how you are doing. Who is your surgeon?

Congratulations! Those numbers are amazing. I just got my surgery date today and as everyone knows on this site, I'm scared!!! LOL But ready! How did your surgery go? Much pain? How did you do right after?

Thanks! I know what you mean by roller coaster, Carol. It has definately been a ride so far just getting to this point. I'm ready to be coasting down the other side now!!

Congratulations!

Congratulations!!

Congratulations! Life sounds wonderful for you. I can't wait until can post a story just like this!

You are doing so great!! I hope and pray to be just like you!! Congrats!

No it sure doesn't. Not that much of a difference anyway.

WOW! That's a lot! I don't really understand. I wonder why some hospitals charge so much more. This is a great hospital with a great reputation. Specializes in bariatric surgeries. This price also includes a 2 day stay in the hospital. Any extra days will be 950.00 per day. I'm not sure if you are high risk or not but if so, do you think that could have something to do with your price being so high. I didn't think SC would be much different than Missouri. I couldn't go to Mexico either. Just mostly because I'm scared to not have the same doctor close that is going to do my surgery.

Julie, how much have you lost if you don't mind me asking? I saw your answers about your surgery on the other post but didn't see any info on your profile. Just curious! Well, maybe nosey...LOL Sorry...

I can't beleive that some hospitals are charging 55K for this to insurance?? The reason I say this is because I'm self pay and I'm paying 16,620.00 for everything. Would have been 18,000 but I got them to come down since on the surgeons website they advertised this price. Anyway, this includes surgery, hospital, anesthia, pre op, and all post op for 1 year. I'm having my surgery at Des Peres Hospital which is a bariatric hospita of excellence in St. Louis. So, I guess if insurance is paying for this surgery, they bill more than they do self pay? Very confusing.

You are asking questions I would like to know the answers too as well. I'm still going through the process and hopefully will have my surgery date very soon. I know people say that you really can't do anything to cause a leak and I believe that to be mostly true but still wonder if we don't follow the Dr's orders, is it possible that WE can cause a leak. I feel so helpless knowing that I may do everything the Dr. tells me but may still get a leak. When they test after surgery and find nothing, I would like to think I could breath a sigh of relief but seems that we really can't do that for 8 months or longer. This complications scares me so much.

Do you still have your gallbladder? Just a thought. Pain and nausea are symptoms and also they usually go bad with rapid weight loss. Hope you feel better soon!!!

My insurance WILL NOT cover WLS either! SUCKS! Anyway, I decided I have to do this NO matter what so I put my faith in GOD and applied for CareCredit. Yes, the interest is high. They have a fixed payment plan for up to 60 months at 14.90 percent. They also have no interest for up to 24 months if you can pay it off by then but for me that was just too much of a payment. One good thing about paying out of pocket (which there aren't many good things) is that it doesn't take as long to go through the process as it does when insurance is involved. I just got done with the psych eval and am waiting for my preop appointment.

Hope you feel better soon. Praying for you. God Bless!

I am self-pay and will paying 16,620 for everything. Surgery, hospital (2 day stay), pre op, and post op appointments for a year. I'm having surgery in St. Louis, MO at a bariatric hospital. I'm praying I have no complications! My insurance has an exclusion on my policy so I will be screwed if something happens.

Thank you. You have helped me so much. More than you know. I do truly believe me reading your post was God's way of helping me see that I am making the right choice. Please keep me posted on your progress. I really would love to know how you are doing. I will pray for you and your speedy recovery.

Has anyone here had their surgery in St. Louis?? If so can you give me your input on Dr. Richard Follwell or any other gastric surgeon here? Everything I've read about him is good but I can't find any info on how many sleeves he has performed. Please reply if any of you live in Missouri and know anything. Thanks!!

I'm not in Tennessee, but what I think you should do is research online Nashville Bariatrics. There will be surgeons there that will work with you through the program. The first thing is to call and have them send out an information packet with paperwork stating everything they need for you to do. The surgeons office should be able to tell you what type of surgery Medicaid covers. After they receive a referral letter from your primary Dr. they will verify your insurance and get an authorization from Medicaid. I know this sounds confusing but basically you need to find a bariatric program in Nashville and let them walk you through the process. Hope this helps and doesn't confuse you too much.

um... well... WOW is all I can say about this post.

Congratulations! Did it hurt?... I've got a month or so to wait and I'm scared everyday. But I'm still definately going through with it. Wishing you a speedy recovery! I can't wait to be on the losers bench!!!!!

You are pretty funny....

Well, looks as if there aren't too many complications! I'm freaking out too. I want this surgery soooo bad. I say this everyday! LOL The complications scare me to death! I'm going through with it anyway if I can every get everything lined out and get an appointment with the surgeon and a date!!!! I'm so ready.

Congratulations! Hope I will breeze through as well! Keep us informed on how you are doing.