Feel Like I'm being scammed. Does this sound right???

[winthropgrad08 0]

I am glad you cancelled your surgery since you didn't feel comfortable, but I wanted to tell you that I have needed approximately $1800 worth of fills/unfills in the first year. So it is not unheard of. My fill doc initially charged $335 a fill when he was in another practice, so that added up pretty quickly.

To be honest you seem like one of the exceptions. I just met with one of the best surgeons in the Atlanta area yesterday and told him about my situation. He said the "average" patient has about 4 to 6 fills the first year. Fills in my area range anywhere from $125.00 at the fill clinic to $175.00. The surgeon i'm seeing now actually includes all the fills you need the first year FREE. I was scammed and there's no other way to put it. I was given a lot of good advise from the members of this site and I feel confident this time that i've made the right choice. Thanks for your input but I'd prefer for my blog not to turn into a debate. It's strictly informative take your drama with that other person somewhere else. Thanks

[Shamrockgirl60 1]

Sounds like a scam, I have full insurance and have only had to pay a few small co-pays for some of the shrink group meetings. No pays for fill or visits due to the surgery. I would check and find another place, most big hospitals have a Weight Loss Center and they handle everything.

[austex 0]

wow winthropgrad08

I am sorry to hear that this has happen to u , I too decided right at the end of change surgeons not cuz the money but cuz things I started to hear and let me tell u , it was well worth it , I had to go through the whole process of having my auth # changed to a new doc and it took about a week so that wasnt to bad however i have Humana Dell PPO

I wish u luck and i feel no matter who u chose u will be happy, everything happends for a reason and this is one!! Be strong and dont stress just keep looking u will find a new doc,.

take care

[murfnik 0]

Becky...mind my asking who you were with?

My friend used True Results, and seems very happy. I'm meeting with them on Tuesday, but I'd like to know if anyone in Austin's had a bad experience with them. I'm somewhat leery of chain clinics like that.

thanks.

[JamieNP 20]

As far as Support groups, I live in Nashville. There are several support groups throughout the area and they are free to anyone that wants to go. A support group should be free. Depending on if you surgeon does your fills under fluro, I would think costs vary. This doesn't sound right. You could find out what other surgeons charge and then present this to your surgeon. Just flat out tell them, Dr.'s so and so does not charge support groups and the fills cost ____, why would I want to go to you...what is the benefit of this? It better come with bells and whistles.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Just for the sake of comparison...

I had my band done in Mexico. I have the cell phone of my surgeon and his two asst. surgeons as well as the coordinator and office manager. He provides aftercare for life at no charge however the hospital does charge for the use of fluoro ($80). I have a lifetime access to the psych and NUT.

Total cost: $7K. That includes surgery, two nights in the hospital, aftercare, etc.

Support groups, we made our own local support group. People with many different doctors, some local some Mexican.

I think you were being scammed, good for you for not putting up with it!

[VickieSH 0]

Several of the surgeons I interviewed charged an "education fee" (varied between $2,000 to $4,000). It reminded me of those time-share demos during the 1980s!! Some of them were totally "hard sell". I finally found a reputable surgeon who accepts the insurance compensation as payment-in-full.

[Jachut 487]

That's the most common way its done in Australia but our medical system is different. I paid a once off fee of $3,000 to my surgeon and that means that my aftercare is bulk billed forever - meaning the doctor charges only the scheduled fee for the service direct to Medicare and I need never dip into my pocket ever again for fills, revision surgery or doctors visits.

But your system is different I guess - but the good thing about it is that it encourages diligence with aftercare, there's an awful lot of people who never go back to get filled, or who desperately need fills and/or unfills and cant afford them etc. The lapband ONLY works with proper aftercare.

Not sure with how your medical system works whether it would be good for you personally or not, you'd know what you feel on that like you say - but one reason the doctor MAY do it is that it ensures people actually follow up on their surgery and get their band working properly.

Or he might just be after the money, lol.

[taylorgirl1 1]

I have to pay a $3500 program fee in S cal before surgery, have BC that covers surgery and surgeon but they say they dont pay enough for after care and fills etc. Have to pay or no surgery

[needtoseemeagain 0]

I have to pay a $3500 program fee in S cal before surgery, have BC that covers surgery and surgeon but they say they dont pay enough for after care and fills etc. Have to pay or no surgery

Sorry Taylorgirl, I have the same issue, and everyone tells me it is normal. The doctor I have chosen has a lower program fee than others but the 1st doctor I was going with said $4500, my current doctor is saying $1500. I have issue with it, it is a scam, just not sure how to get around it and get what I want.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Have you guys considered a sleeve? No aftercare, no maintenance, no follow up visits. A little better and faster weight loss, and no program fees.

Sorry, I just think program fees kinda suck, as if doctors aren't making enough from surgery. I have started to develop an attitude about band surgeons and all their various fees. It just sometimes feels like yet more people taking advantage of we fat folks. Everyone knows we will do damn near anything just to lose weight.

[VickieSH 0]

Have you guys considered a sleeve? No aftercare, no maintenance, no follow up visits. A little better and faster weight loss, and no program fees.

Sorry, I just think program fees kinda suck, as if doctors aren't making enough from surgery. I have started to develop an attitude about band surgeons and all their various fees. It just sometimes feels like yet more people taking advantage of we fat folks. Everyone knows we will do damn near anything just to lose weight.

Unfortunately 99% of the time most insurance companies consider the gastric sleeve "experimental" and will not cover the costs involved in that procedure. My decision to opt for the lapband was based on my belief that gastric bypass is too radical and "Frankenstein-ish" (specifically the re-routing of the intestines and mal-absorption). I've decided to go with the less invasive procedure initially and in the event my weight loss isn't as successful as I intend, then I'll consider sleeving. By that time I'm confident the procedure will have more positive outcomes and will be allowed by my insurance.

When I inquired to the other programs in my area regarding the "education fee" I was flat out advised that insurance companies don't cover all the fees involved for aftercare.

LOL...one nurse coordinator reassured me that bottled Water was included in the fee. :thumbup:

[annie55 0]

HELLO THERE ....I will not be having the surgery until april 30/09 only because i have plans to travel and will not be around here much .. Iam from Canada I will have it all covered my my insurance for the lapband.. I will be having the lapband done in Toronto but i live in Nova Scotia so I will be getting my fills done in Halifax.. they are only 50 dollars you are paying quite a bit your prices are really out there ..glad I found this site ..I will be needing some buddies :thumbup:

[needtoseemeagain 0]

Have you guys considered a sleeve? No aftercare, no maintenance, no follow up visits. A little better and faster weight loss, and no program fees.

Sorry, I just think program fees kinda suck, as if doctors aren't making enough from surgery. I have started to develop an attitude about band surgeons and all their various fees. It just sometimes feels like yet more people taking advantage of we fat folks. Everyone knows we will do damn near anything just to lose weight.

I considered it but it is my insurance considers the sleeve experimental, therefore not a covered benefit. My doctor seems very kind. The staff is very upfront and I asked exactly what it was for and they are clear on my perception of the "fee". I plan on discussing it further once I get to the office.