d mixon 23 Posted February 20, 2013 Since I am self pay I didn't have to comply with any insurance requirements .so I haven't lost ant. Dr Richards asks for a 7 day pre-op diet which I will start Monday. My surgery will be at USAMed . Truthfully the seminar was very plain compared to he one I attended at the Infirmery,but it was very informative and Valerie the RN was wonderful to me. So far I am very at ease. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d mixon 23 Posted February 20, 2013 Also I read anything I could find on Dr. Richards. He is very qualified and has done 1000's of surgeries. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vicki_ 2 Posted February 20, 2013 I am very anxious to hear your story. Thanks you SOO much for the info. I was starting to feel very discouraged. They told me today I actually must see my primary for 7 mos in a row before my ins will pay and then it will cost me $2700. out of pocket. My primary is a great dr , but everytime I go to her office I seem to catch whatever the latest bad virus going around. Its possible that the amounts could be different at USA? I will check into it. You are the first person to mention USA. Everyone else I know has been to Mobile Infirmary. I read a little about Dr Richards and he appears to be a very skilled dr PLEASE keep me posted and let me know how you do after surgery . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vicki_ 2 Posted February 20, 2013 Do you have insurance and just didnt want to wait? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d mixon 23 Posted February 20, 2013 I have BC/BS however it doesn't cover any weight loss procurers no matter how medically necessary. So I decided to just go for it and pay myself Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d mixon 23 Posted February 20, 2013 my self pay is 11900.00 that includes 2 nights in hospital . It also includes 50000.00 of insurance in case of any problems that may occur. Most insurance co. have a lot of requirements ,test,evaluation,etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yiraini01 41 Posted February 20, 2013 I have been searching for facilities in Mobile' date='Al. As I will be paying out of pocket I have been checking for prices. USA Medical is under 10000.00 . Any comments about this hospital?[/quote'] I could ask my doctor. To see how much it cost. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vicki_ 2 Posted May 21, 2013 Hi D Mixon, I am very anxious to know how it went at USA? Are you doing well? Any info you can share would be GREATLY appreciated!!! I am starting to get so scared, but feel I have no choice. I am considering self paying too because it looks like it will be Christmas before I can get the surgery with Dr Lord in Pensacola. Hope you are doing well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d mixon 23 Posted May 28, 2013 Hi, yes I'm doing great. I've lost about 46 lbs. it comes off slowly but once it's gone ,it's gone forever. I loved using dr Richards and my experience at USA was wonderful Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d mixon 23 Posted May 28, 2013 U should come to one of the support groups. That will answer some of your questions. This Dr. Only has a 5 day pre op diet which wasn't too hard. After the surgery it has been just a matter of me relearning how to eat correctly. It's not a picnic but it is certainly worth doing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vicki_ 2 Posted May 28, 2013 THANK YOU so much!! I hope to go to the next support group. My name is Vicki. Hope to see you there !! I went to the seminar a few days ago there and really love the nurse that gave the seminar. her name is Valerie , I think. Do you or did you have any nausea? vomiting? Was the pain bad? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d mixon 23 Posted May 28, 2013 There was a little pain at first but I was able t o get up and around ok. I had a lot of pain on my third week around the major staples but was told that was normal. I never was nauseated. I took two weeks off of work but could have gone back after 10 days. I don't regret doing this at all. . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites