Bye Bye Money hello life

[danide 0]

Okay so its official... I have been denied by my insurance company due to the fact that I have not had a BMI of 40 or more for at least 2 years and have no co-morbidities. Uhhhhh.. Grrrrrrrrr I've been fat all my life except for a few months here and there. Ive only been at BMI of 40 (or more) for about 9 months but soo what.. Ive been over BMI of 35 for like 3 years and BMI of at least 30 for like 10 years, doesn't that count for anything. I have been from 200 to 180 to 225 to 195 to 210 to 230 to 220 to 230 to 245 to 230 to 250 within 4 years, doesn't that count for anything? Okay so what that I don't have a current co-morbidity... itsn't what Im doing PREVENTION... doesn't that court? :huh2:

Okay so I was denied but that won't stop me. I have already decided and now confirmed that if I wasn't insured, I will pay for the surgery. SO thankfully my parents agreed to lend me the money and I will pay them back monthly. I mean this is my life and my future right... what better investment is that? Its cheaper then my car was so thats a bonus! I mean if I can spend $20,000 on a car that can be destroyed in seconds, isn't a $16,000 surgery that can change, improve and potentially save my life well worth it!

So Bye Bye Money but Hello Life!

Thanks for letting me vent!

[CharCo 0]

Dr Kirshenbaum In Denver is just under $10k - he has a lot of out of state paitents. You should consider him before shelling out an extra $6k. I was banded by him in June and I could not be happier. Do some research on him - there are lots of satisfied paitents on this website!

Congratulations on your decision - we have a similar weight history - so I know where you are coming from. I didn't go throughout the insurance process because my company doesn't cover any type of weight management program.

Dr. K is fantastic - the low price is definitely not a reflection of the quality of care. His fills are only $25 - so many of his out of state paitents fly here for them.

Best of luck!

[danide 0]

Thanks Char!

Going out of state would be fine but by the time I pay for travel and hotel accomodations, it would be getting close to the same amount! But thank you for the suggestion.

I don't mind spending the money so much just because I had it in my head already that it may come to that. I love my surgeon/staff/hospital. Maybe I can convince them not to keep me over night and it will knock off a chunk of money. We'll see!

[cleetus77532 2]

Can't see why they would keep you overnight. I had my band done August 11th at 0730 in the morning and I was getting in the truck to go home with my wife by noon. Most of the time it is an outpatient procedure and you're in and out in 4-6 hours. Unless of course there are complications. Just a side note, I also had a hiatal hernia fixed. I wish you luck.

[HappyMom 1]

I also didn't have to stay over night. Actually, I was wheeled into surgery at 10 am and was walking out of the hospital at 12:30 pm. I too had a hiatal hernia fixed. My surgeon doesn't ever plan to keep anyone overnight unless complications are expected or experienced.

For me, the surgery really wasn't too big of a deal. The only pain that I felt was from the trapped gas. The actual incisions didn't hurt at all.

Good luck to you!

[CharCo 0]

I was only at the hospital for a few hours myself. I've read that some people had insurance billed for over $40K for their surgery. Seems crazy to me that doctors (mine isn't the only one out there) can do it for $10K for self-pay, but when you get the insurance companies involved the cost is up to 4 times as much. Kind of makes me sick! My wish is that everyone who needs this surgery could have it.

[Nicole74 4]

It will be worth it...be very happy your parents are helping you..I borrowed from my 401k and pay it bi weekly for the next 5 years. My total was 15grand and I did stay overnight and glad I did..had no complications but I felt like I needed to stay there I was ready to go though by the next morning! my doctor makes his patience stay overnight but I got released by 10am the next morning. its hard because you think of all you can do with that money but I wouldnt change a thing. Im only 3 weeks out and had a rough first week but never regretted it!

[mistyc 0]

hi guys - im new to this site and im from europe --- i cant believe how epensive the banding is to get done for you guys! I paid 8000 euros and that included 2 nights hospital stay and travel to and from airport (as i flew to the UK to get it done from Ireland). I had surgery done on 5th June but not much weight loss as of yet --just had my first fill today so hopefully it will all start to come off soon! good luck to you all!