PogiYogi

So does the sleeve.

So does VSG! lots of information about this in professional medical journals, if your MD tells you differently it's only because he earns more from Bypass or isn't up to date. Don't think when your doctor goes home he's reading medical books, they aren't they are sending time with family just like you do.

The surgeon does NOT!!! make the decision you do it's your body not his. It's funny to read how easily patients are willing to give up their rights as human being just because a person wears a lab coat. Listen folks!! this is your battle not theirs once the surgery is done your living with yourself. Medicine is a business!!! these doctors are just tools learn to use them the correct way, I'm not saying to be disrespectful to them. But would you buy a car and let the salesman pick out the color? NO! you'd go down the street and find what you wanted. Go see 2-3 doctors for consult don't just do surgery with the fist doctor you met. I saw five doctors, why you may ask simple I'm married to a doctor and I know better then to just let anyone do surgery on me. Even after meeting five surgeons it's still a crap shoot, but I know I increase your odds of finding the right one.

BTW, I met with one group that did this surgery as an outpatient. My wife laughed when I told her, she called it Drive thru Bariatric Surgery. which btw, is very dangerous.

Ive had other operations but for some reason I'm afraid of not waking up and dying on the table. Surgery is 4 weeks out and I'm not backing down but still makes me tense up to think about it. Anyone else have these fears before surgery?

YES!!!! And they are very real.

You patients better empower yourselves these doctors like MONEY!!!!!! Bypass bills out for more production income because more of the anatomy is cut during surgery. FOLLOW THE MONEY!

What if after going thru everything, my surgeon tells me that he doesn't feel that the sleeve is for me and wants me to go for the gastric bypass. Has anyone ever had this happen? How did you convince your surgeon that the sleeve is what you want? I have NO interest in the gastric bypass. I don't want my insides to be cut apart and re-routed, etc. I have been diabetic my whole life, I would like to eat a cookie some day with out being punished for it by either a needle or a toilet. I have been told over and over that I am too large for the band. I feel that my ONLY option is the sleeve. I haven't seen my surgeon yet, I am just scared that he is going to tell me that he will only do the bypass

RUN!!!!!!!! I'm married to a Doctor granted she's doesn't do these types of surgeries, but it sounds to me like your doctor may not have a good reason other then 1. ByPass billing code nets he/she more MONEY!!!!! 2. They don't know how to do a VSG. Bottom line it's your body and journey get another doctor. RUN!!!!! No I'm not a troll nor am I kidding, get a second opinion from a different doctor.

They might bill that much but they won't get paid that much. You helth insurance might need some explination of some charges even maybe just one. If that is the case they will deny the whole bill. I had knee surgery and one part of it was billed at $67,000 but insurance only paid them $32,400.

This one of the reason why you should wait for an E.O.B from your insurance explaining what you the patient is responsible to pay. I never prepay for healthcare never.

If your prepaid that's because you volunteered to do so. Call your insurance company and report back. I know some doctor are going to pretty pissed off that their dirty little secret is out now. But hey if they want you to trust them, then they must trust you. See how that works.

Umm, not sure about that Pogi. Maybe in California, but I don't think that's the case everywhere. I'm in Texas and this year I had gallbladder surgery and an endoscopy, both of which were subject to deductibles and copays. Different doctors, different hospitals. With each doctor, I had to pay a down payment based on the projected copay as determined by my insurance. Hospitals, same thing. They contacted me with my estimated portion and I had to make a down payment and agree to set up a payment plan once insurance had been filed and my balance due was finalized.

In my initial visit to the surgeon to discuss WLS, I met with the insurance coordinate and given the projected copay I would be responsible for and told that payment was to be completed before surgery would be scheduled. Lucky for me my gallbladder and endoscopy covers my OOP maximum so my sleeve will be free!

Just wanted to share my experience with insurance to give another perspective.

If you're a doctor is contracted with any of the major insurance healthcare providers he is contractually obligated to follow all of the conditions and terms within the contract between himself and insurance company I have yet to see a contract that allows a doctor to collect for services that have yet to have been rendered you doing this is voluntary is not a requirement in fact many insurance companies will threaten to drop a medical provider if they're doing this as they're not following the guidelines that the insurance company has set forth I know matter fact that many patients don't know this contact your insurance company ask them yourself. There are times in which errors are made in billing most doctors have different contractual financial arrangements with different insurance companies some insurance companies will pay out more than others you can even contact your State insurance commission and have them explain this to you just as believe it or not a doctor which dosen't collect insurance co-pays can also be dropped from insurance provider. doctors must play by the rules which they agreed to when they contracted with insurance companies and you as a patient must protect yourself and your assets at all times what happens in the event that there is a situation where there's the possibility of litigation postoperatively with the patient do you still want to pay the doctor. I probably shouldn't be sharing this information with you but I would say patients need to empower themselves and protect themselves at all times for doctors regardless of what they think it's about following rules and doctors and follow rules just like we patients have to comply with the rules just remember if you choose to pay before surgery then that is voluntary good luck getting your money back if in the event something were to happen for example you decide you do not want the surgery you passed away you want to put it on hold whatever the reason maybe there could be a problem getting your money back and this is why the insurance companies have set forth these rules within the contract that the doctors should follow. GOOD LUCK!

My hospital stay is 37000 and of that I had to pay (up front) 10%. That doesn't include my surgeon and anesthesiologist. I'm to be sleeved on 4/10 and I expect to be treated like a GODDESS for that amount of money. We're talking massage' date=' mani/pedi, around-the-clock back scratching...

Your surgery bills are the last thing I would worry about if I were you (unless they need to be paid up front). Once you get billed, make payment arrangements. They're usually pretty nice about it as long as you pay according to your payment schedule.[/quote']

Most insurance health care plans do not require patients to pay upfront for any services you may wish to contact your insurance provider to find out more details regarding this I am married to a doctor and I understand her contractual obligations with these insurance companies do not require any of her patients to pay upfront out-of-pocket until an explanation of benefits has been sent to the patient generally this is post procedure

Can you guys contact me I'm looking at Dr. Quebbemann and I have an appointment on April 4, 2012 Thanks!

Start walking in a swimming pool in the shallow end. Back fourth