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West Medical US Self Pay Experience



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I was sleeved 2/23/23 at West Medical in Tarzana CA. Cost - $10,000. Time from first consult to surgery was 3 weeks. I had a psych eval phone call, and one zoom nutrition class on post op diet. Pre -op tests were done through my insurance, including EKG, labs, chest xray and sleep apnea test. Days on the PreOp liquid diet is based on BMI. The surgery is outpatient, but if there are complications, it is possible to spend the night. My surgery was scheduled for noon, and I was back in my hotel room by 6:00PM. I did pee before I left, but pretty much the requirements were being awake enough to put your clothes on. The facility was clean, and they welcomed my husband and tried to make him as comfortable as possible, but they said most family don't wait there. It was raining, and we were 3 hours from home, so he didn't really have anywhere else to go. We spent the night before in a hotel so we would not have to worry about the long drive in LA traffic in the morning, and the night after in case of any complications we would be close by. I would give every staff member I encountered 5 stars. From administrative staff to the nursing staff, they were all wonderful and very responsive. When I arrived, there were 2 patients Post-op, and the nurses were very supportive and caring. My consult was done with a bariatric Dr., but not the actual surgeon. He had been sleeved as well, and has a great repore with patients. I met him day of the surgery as he assists. He was also the one that did my follow up call 5 days later. I met my surgeon right before the surgery, but nothing since. He didn't even talk to my husband after, even though it is a small facility and he was right there. There will be another follow up call 4 weeks post op. I have phone numbers to call if there are any complications, I haven't had any, but I have no doubt they would be handled promptly and taken seriously, although remotely. They want to be notified by any ER or urgent care facility if necessary. PostOp full liquid diet is 4 weeks, then 1-2 weeks pureed, and 1-2 weeks soft.

All in all I had a good experience and no regrets, but I do lack the relationship with the surgeon and follow up support. I've joined a local support group through my insurance, and am finding my way with groups like this.

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    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

    • Sandra Austin Tx

      I’m 6 days post op as of today. I had the gastric bypass 
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