Sales Meeting???

[MicheleK 8]

Back in Nov. I attended a WLS seminar in Norman, OK. My original goal was to have my band done by Dr. Ronnie Keith. He is one of the top bariatric surgeons in my state.

Needless to say I was VERY excited to attend the meeting. How disappointed I was once I arrived.

Dr. Keith gave a wonderful presentation discussing in great detail the entire procedure, from what to expect to the unexpected. Too bad after he was done one of his staff got up in front of the group and started discussing what it was going to cost us....

They require purchasing protien powder from their office, they don't turn in the psy exam to insurance nor do they turn in the dietician visits (my insurance requires 90 day supervised). Total cost out of pocket - $1300 (this doesn't include regular co-pays for the surgery itself!!).

I was flabbergasted, and very, very upset. So, I started looking around (this site included) and talking to a few folks that had the procedure done in my state. This is not the norm, I don't have to buy anything, and my insurance will cover pre-surgery expenses (ie. psy exam).

So, I made an appointment with Dr. Holsaeter at St. Anthony hopsital. Guess what?? EVERYTHING is billed to my insurance and come to find out they will pay for everything including the psy exam with a low $20 co-pay!!!

I'm very confused...why would a weightloss center try and take advantage of folks alread desperate for answers?? Sure, I could've paid the $1300 but why?? I'm getting excellent help and paying a fraction of that....

Honestly, I'm a bit insulted by Oklahoma Weightloss Center's "sales pitch".

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I'm very confused...why would a weightloss center try and take advantage of folks alread desperate for answers?? Sure, I could've paid the $1300 but why?? I'm getting excellent help and paying a fraction of that....

Honestly, I'm a bit insulted by Oklahoma Weightloss Center's "sales pitch".

I don't know anything about the particular place you mention but overall, taking advantage of fat folks by bariatric surgeons is one of my hot topics as well. It really annoys me. Some are no different than those who sell "sweating suits" to lose weight, or Hoodia, or any of the other many products out there designed to take our money but let us keep the weight.

I don't believe most docs are like that at all, but a handful... grrrrrr....

Doctors are people like everyone else and a small few are bad but again, I think most docs are trying to do a good job for their patients.

[MicheleK 8]

The sad thing is, this doctor is very respected in my community. I was sad to find out that his offices require this kind of out of pocket expense when it's not nessecary.

In addition, the man seemed very sincere about helping folk's lose weight, that's why I was so SHOCKED when his officer worker got up and started "selling" psy visits and protien powder!!

Just weird...

Anyway, so far so good with my doc of choice. I can't wait to get these 90 days over and get my surgery date!! WOOHOO!!!

[juliegeraci 7]

Unfortunatly bariatric surgery is quite expensive and their are doctors that take advantage of us. Fact be know that a fill needle costs $20. My doctor charges $200 for a fill that takes about 2 minutes. I really feel they take us for granted sometimes. Good luck with your surgery. Congrats that it is all covered under your medical plan.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Unfortunatly bariatric surgery is quite expensive and their are doctors that take advantage of us. Fact be know that a fill needle costs $20. My doctor charges $200 for a fill that takes about 2 minutes. I really feel they take us for granted sometimes. Good luck with your surgery. Congrats that it is all covered under your medical plan.

A fill needle (Huber) is between $1.50 and $5.00.