Testing my determination

[gMommy 4]

The surgery center called me this mornig to talk about insurance again. My surgery is scheduled for 4/28. They told me today that I was responsible for 20% of the cost, payable on surgery day. Say What? I talked to the surgery center a month ago to verify I only had my $15 copay. My mind started spinning. I didn't even know how much the 20% would be. Maybe $4k? By next week? My first thought was "I'm going to have to reschedule my surgery....no!!!!!!" to "how can I scrape up the money?", then "I'll figure out some way, I am not rescheduling this!". I asked her to call my insurance company again, because I knew the 20% was a mistake. She called back 10 minutes later and confirmed I only have to pay my $15 copay. Whew!

I think this was just a "brake check" to make sure this was what I really wanted and I was willing to do anything to make it happen.

Anybody else have a "brake check" before surgery?

[ElizabethNYC 1]

I've had SEVERAL! Sadly my "brake checks" sometimes led to full blown stop and pull overs BUT in the end it all worked out and I was banded. Good luck to you and congrats. Oh and thankfully you're still going to be able to move forward. Can't wait to hear how it went.

[gMommy 4]

Thanks Elizabeth. I am on track for this Thursday. I am waiting for the call from the surgery center with my arrival time.

[54Shirley 105]

If you ever have any doubts... You get on the phone, and call your Ins. Co. first. Find out all you need to know.

Then have them call. If it's different ! You know they are double dipping.

This is not uncommon at all.

[TheRealSouthernBelle 22]

My brake check was finding out if I had a hiatal hernia. I was so nervous! My insurance has an exclusion for WLS, so the only way I realistically could afford it is if I had a hiatal hernia. I just kept telling myself if I didn't have it I would save up $4400 more (I only had to pay $5500 for the band itself). Thank God I had a hernia, but God knows I was ready to take on a 2nd job, start selling stuff on EBAY, anything to find the extra money. $15, you lucky duck!

[gMommy 4]

I feel very lucky to have the insurance that I have. My doctor still requires patients to pay $3000 out of pocket for "follow up care." I'm not really sure what this care is or if it is really worth $3000. But, I really wanted this doctor because she is such an expert in her field. It was worth the peace of mind.

I found out at my post-op appointment that I had a hiatal hernia. They found it during the operation. The fixed it while they were in there at no extra charge.

[TheRealSouthernBelle 22]

I've heard that follow-up care consists of nutritional supplements, psyc visits, nutritional counseling, etc. Not sure about fills, but I'm sure they have a pretty good program for $3000 (or at least I hope so).

[Rachel412 116]

My break was entering the program in October, being told that BCBS always approves quickly and scheduling surgery for December- then being told that whoops, my BCBS was different and I had to do a 6 month diet first. I admit, I wanted to give up right then and there, but I did it and now, looking back, that 6 months went so fast!

[TheRealSouthernBelle 22]

Almost been banded 6 months, time does fly when you're losing weight! Lol!

[gMommy 4]

Yes, it does! I can't believe tomorrow I will already be 2 weeks post op. I lost 8 pounds the first week. Then 4 days into the second week I found I was bouncing back and forth on one pound. I felt a little discouragement creep in, so I had to force myself not to get on the scale for a while. I know that I am going to hit plateaus. I just have to remind myself to grin and bear it. Becase I will come to the next drop before I know it.