twinkle101

What is your date in November? Mine is the 19th good luck. Sunstorm14760, my surgery date is also November 19!!! I am surprised, but the process was relatively easy, I was expecting a date no earlier than December. I hope that we can keep in touch I begin my pre-op semi liquid diet Nov 5th.

My surgery is set for November. All that is required now is to begin the two week liquid diet before surgery. I know the journey won't be easy, but I still feel as if I'm getting a new lease on life!

I think it's normal. I set my surgery date today (scheduled for November) and I was so elated. But I'm sure as I move closer to the date, I may have a few doubts, maybe even a bit afraid, but deep down I know I've made the right decision. It's going to get real when I begin the two week partial liquid diet. I'm ready though, as I'm sure you will be too!

I found a surgeon, however, the facility charges several fees which are not covered by insurance, totaling over $700 on top of the out of pocket I will have to pay for the surgery. Is this common?

So far I have been to two bariatric seminars. Each time the surgeons, had negative information to share in regards to gastric bypass in comparison to the lap band and gastric sleeve. They repeatedly spoke about the complexity of the surgery, life long commitment to taking supplements and the increased possibility of leakage from stitches. I had originally settled on getting gastric sleeve, but found out my insurance does not cover it. This leaves me with two choices lap band or gastric bypass...or maybe I will need to come out of pocket for the sleeve. The doctors have kind of scared me away from the bypass. Does anyone mind sharing why they chose gastric bypass over the sleeve? Just curious and wondering if anyone had similar experience as me.

Sajijoma, I hear ya. I want this to be a one and done deal as well. I have horrible heart burn issues, roux en y is my best option. I finally came upon a bariatric center that was open minded and supportive of my decision. I am still at the beginning stages, next is the psych evaluation. Thank you so much for your feedback!

Thank you both for responding. The bariatric coordinator told me no one's insurance covers the surgeon's fee, I just was not expecting it to be so much. But so far I think they're the best I've found.

Congrats to you!!! I will be beginning the process this week. I know it won't be easy.

Great points Drmeow, I feel the same way. I want which ever surgeon I chose to have a lot of experience performing the procedure. I have my consultation later this week with a surgeon. So far I've decided to pass up the other two surgeons who spoke negatively about the bypass. I hope to have better luck this time around.

***correction...why MY insurance does not cover gastric sleeve.

I am so grateful for all of your feedback! Although I will continue to do my research, I feel better toward choosing the bypass over all else. I too suffer with acid reflux, which is already miserable, no desire to worsen it. I have a consultation with one of the surgeons who down played the gastric bypass during his seminar, but also reassured how meticulous he is while performing the surgery. I will still go to the consultation, but will also seek out another surgeon recommended by the site for gastric bypass. Madeleine Renee brought up a good point, perhaps their negativity toward the gastric bypass is due in part because of inexperience (scary). After reading your responses, it CERTAINLY makes sense why insurance does not cover the gastric sleeve. You guys have no idea, how much better....and confident (about making a decision) I feel after reading your feedback. Thank you so much. I definitely will be following up!