TLC Edge Dr's...

[minock 0]

Angie, What happened? I have an appt with Dr Gonzalez on Wed. I am understanding that there is no other charges other than what I pay TLC. I did all my pre-op work with Dr Townsend in Richardson. There we no charges for that service. I did read that if you had "additional" tests, that you would be responsible for paying for those. Just like the psych exam. Please let me know what happened (if you can) so I can be prepared for Wednesday!

Sorry that this happened to you. I know how excited you are to get this done. Hopefully, you can just choose another surgeon through TLC.

Cindy

[cara51183 0]

Hi all! I've lurked and read this evening, and I have a question or two.

The reason I'm considering TLC is the price - I am self pay, as many of you seem to be. Do they work with a specific finance company? I won't have the money up front, so I was wondering how others of you had paid for it.

Also, I live about 6.5 hours from the DFW area, so how often are the checkups? I know fills are about every 6 weeks, but I didn't know if there was a post-surgery checkup that I needed to be aware of.

Thanks!

[tweenwaters 0]

Hi Cara!

I used a low interest credit card to pay for my surgery. Tax refund will cover most of it, so I'm not worried about paying a minimal finace charge until the refund comes in. As far as check ups go....I had a two week post-op check up with my surgeon (Dr. Kim) in his office at North Hills hospital...even though my surgery was at the TLC/Prestonwood surgery center. I'm supposed to go for a 3 hour group visit at the 3 week mark...which is now but no one has called me to schedule this, so I'm not sure what to do about it. I've been busy...so I haven't called either. There is also supposed to be a 3 week...phone follow up call that I haven't received yet either. Other then those....the only thing I see in my paperwork is the fill schedule. The fills are included in the cost for the first 6 months. They have several TLC locations to choose from. Hope this helps.....best of luck to you on this journey.

[minock 0]

I am self-pay as well. Fortunately I had the cash so no financing is necessary. I know there are several finance companies that they use. CapitalOne Health is supposed to be a good company. I'm not really sure about the followup if you are traveling from a distance. Call them, they will be happy to answer your questions. However, I believe this special rate they are offering is over soon. I made my first inquiry with them 3 weeks ago and now I have my surgery scheduled in 2 weeks so it can move fast if you want it to.

Stacey, how are things going? How about you, Road King? Keep the updates coming. I'm sure there are several more of us learning from your experiences.

Good luck Cowboy!

YUM OPTIFAST!

[illion 0]

Hi to all you Dallas bandsters! I was banded on Jan 24th at Prestonwood. They were great! I used Dr. Veninga as my surgeon, and loved the way he was so down-to-earth and made sure I understood *exacty* what was going to happen. I've never spent 2-1/2 hours in a doctor's office before- it was nice to feel like they "cared" over there!

Now for the main reason of this post: I discovered pre-op that I was VERY lactose-intolerant of the Optifast, and I had bought quite a bit of the drinks- chocolate & vanilla- as well as several boxes of the powder that you mix with Water. If there's anyone in the Dallas/Rockwall area who would like to have it, please drop me a message. I'll be happy to pass it on to you at no cost. (I tried again to drink one, and in less than 10 minutes my stomach rebelled~!!) I'll have to look and see exactly how much I have left, but it will probably be enough for someone's pre or post-op needs! That stuff is rather costly and not covered in the basic self-pay fee they charge. I would rather see someone get use from it than throw it out!!!

[minock 0]

Hi Pat (Illion);

I'd love to have it. I live in Rowlett. I'm having my surgery on the 25th and just started my Optifast yesterday.

Cindy

[Road King 0]

I am self-pay as well. Fortunately I had the cash so no financing is necessary. I know there are several finance companies that they use. CapitalOne Health is supposed to be a good company. I'm not really sure about the followup if you are traveling from a distance. Call them, they will be happy to answer your questions. However, I believe this special rate they are offering is over soon. I made my first inquiry with them 3 weeks ago and now I have my surgery scheduled in 2 weeks so it can move fast if you want it to.

Stacey, how are things going? How about you, Road King? Keep the updates coming. I'm sure there are several more of us learning from your experiences.

Good luck Cowboy!

YUM OPTIFAST!

Thanks for asking how we are all doing. Sorry I have not posted in a while. I am doing great. I am in my 3rd week after surgery so I'm at the mushie stage. The first couple of days was nice being able to eat something other than Optifast. But for me I am at the point where the Optifast period was easier than this mushie stage. I am trying to stick with Soups. I do like my cottage cheese. Still drinking 2 Optifast a day to help with the hunger. Dr Kim did tell me, I could start to feel hungry, but do not worry, it just means I am healing. I have not really had any complaints. No reqrets I decided to have the band. Looking forward to my journey. From the date I started my pre op 2 weeks before surgery 1-10-08 to today I have lost 20lbs. I know it's going to slow down, but sure is nice to say 20 lbs gone. I have my first fill scheduled for March 6th. Looking forward to the fill.

Dianne

[Road King 0]

Hi to all you Dallas bandsters! I was banded on Jan 24th at Prestonwood. They were great! I used Dr. Veninga as my surgeon, and loved the way he was so down-to-earth and made sure I understood *exacty* what was going to happen. I've never spent 2-1/2 hours in a doctor's office before- it was nice to feel like they "cared" over there!

Now for the main reason of this post: I discovered pre-op that I was VERY lactose-intolerant of the Optifast, and I had bought quite a bit of the drinks- chocolate & vanilla- as well as several boxes of the powder that you mix with Water. If there's anyone in the Dallas/Rockwall area who would like to have it, please drop me a message. I'll be happy to pass it on to you at no cost. (I tried again to drink one, and in less than 10 minutes my stomach rebelled~!!) I'll have to look and see exactly how much I have left, but it will probably be enough for someone's pre or post-op needs! That stuff is rather costly and not covered in the basic self-pay fee they charge. I would rather see someone get use from it than throw it out!!!

We were banded on the same day. The 24th of January. My surgery was at 9:00. It's nice to have people that used the same surgery center and banded around the same time for support. How are you doing on the mushie's. What have you found to eat.

Dianne

[Cowboy 0]

Hidy Hidy Everybody

Tomorrow at 9:00 Dr. Kim will band me.

I am looking forward to it but still a little scared of the unknown.

Happy Valentines everyone

Doug

[tweenwaters 0]

Good luck Doug!! We'll all be thinking of you. The team at TLC & Prestonwood will take great care of you!! John (Dr. Kim's P.A. is sooooo nice too). Post when you feel up to it after surgery. The first couple days post-op, try to stick to a good routine with pain meds and you will do great.

Hi Dianne....so glad to hear that being hungry means we are healing. I'm starving on this mushie stage and have gained back 2 pounds now. I go for my first fill the 28th, so I hope it is a good one and makes me feel some restriction and less hunger. I love cottage chesse as well....that has become my morning meal instead of an Optifast. Still having Soup at dinner though....my favs are the Campbells selects....Minestrone:) Keep posting and let me know you're doing on this band journey:)

[tweenwaters 0]

I am self-pay as well. Fortunately I had the cash so no financing is necessary. I know there are several finance companies that they use. CapitalOne Health is supposed to be a good company. I'm not really sure about the followup if you are traveling from a distance. Call them, they will be happy to answer your questions. However, I believe this special rate they are offering is over soon. I made my first inquiry with them 3 weeks ago and now I have my surgery scheduled in 2 weeks so it can move fast if you want it to.

Stacey, how are things going? How about you, Road King? Keep the updates coming. I'm sure there are several more of us learning from your experiences.

Good luck Cowboy!

YUM OPTIFAST!

Hi there!!

Yes...thank you for asking how things are going. I just replied to Road King (Dianne) so I'm sorry to repeat the same thing but I'm STARVING!! Glad to know that it just means that I'm healing though and will be ready for my first fill on the 28th:thumbup:!! Please keep sharing your thoughts and updates....it really is so nice to have a group of us in the same time period and same surgery center. Good luck on your journey!!!

[Road King 0]

Cowboy just keep telling yourself you are in good hands. Dr Kim is wonderful. Everyone at the surgery center are very good and will make sure you feel comfortable. They will explained everything to you. When I left there Thursday the 24th of January I knew I had made the right decision. Please keep us posted how you are doing. We will keep you in our prayers.

Dianne

[Cowboy 0]

Thanks for the prayers and well wishes

I sure need them

[TexasT 0]

Hi y'all, I am having my consultation for Dr. Kim tomorrow. They told me they were going to email me paper work to have filled out before I come, but I have not received it. Would anyone happen to have that still in their email that they could forward to me. I'm afraid they must have got my email wrong. I am going to the TLC clinic in Euless tomorrow afternoon.

T

[minock 0]

How ya' doing doing Cowboy Doug??? Hope things went well.