JonathanS

Hey Sleever's, I have been lurking for awhile and just researching the procedure. I had the talk with my PCP today about VSG and he actually preformed bariatric surgery back in the '80s. He was telling me how different it was back then to today. However, something came up in my blood work that I need to see a specialist about (hormone levels) and wanted me to do so before the surgery. Then I got the call from Dr. Black's (surgeon) office on my insurance for the surgery. I have the normal requirements: - 6 month supervised diet - Psych Eval - Nutritionist My main concern was the cost. My insurance (Blue Cross of California) lists it under General Surgery so it is a 30% copay. I have a $1500 deductible. They said the total cost would be $2,000. Talk about a relief! So my question is, what exactly is a supervised diet? My PCP didn't talk much about it and was more concerned about getting my hormone levels under control. Just trying to get an idea of what I should expect. 6 months seems like forever, but 24 years of obesity has been much longer! Cheers!

Beatriz, Did your surgeons office recommend the nutritionist? I was told that around month 5 that they would work with me on the nutritionist and psych eval. I'm wondering if I should go ahead and see a nutritionist from my supervised diet or my PCP. Thanks everyone for the great feedback!

I got the "skinny" on it. That was surgeon fee's only. I had to call the hospital. So the break down is: - $1,500 Deductible - $3,000 Hospital - $500 Surgeon ------------------------- $5000.00 That sounds more like what I was expecting. I wish she would have mentioned that in the original call.

I looked up my max copayment and it is $4,500/year. I also looked up Bariatric surgery and it is listed at $500/year + 30%. I wonder if she missed the 30%?

Maybe it is just me but this copay amount almost seems to good to be true. How can 30% of the procedure be $500? That puts the procedure at $1700.00. I even called them back to make sure I heard her right. She confirmed and said that it could be even less if I meet more of my deductible. Maybe I just don't understand my insurance.