Mel1071

I am scheduled for surgery in December so I don't know what's going to happen. But I have had similar feelings to the OP. I would not mind things being slower so that it's not as obvious. I don't have any intention of telling everyone so losing "slowly" would be fine by me. Plus I figure it might help my skin too.

It seems to me that the majority of VSGers look younger - quite often much younger - after they lose their weight. But it seems like folks I know who have had gastric bypass look older after their losses.

Is this just my hopeful thinking or has anyone else noticed this as well?

Jodi -glad to hear all went well. Were you happy with your experience at the hospital? I know we have different docs, but since we'll both be at Centennial Women & Children's hospital, I'd like to hear how things went!

Good luck to everyone! I'm under 3 months now - just counting down to December!

Congrats! Hope the process goes smoothly for you.. Do you have a rough idea how long it will be until you have surgery?

Good luck! One less day to stress over!

I have to admit, I absolutely fell for his personality during the info session. He has that combo snarky/sarcastic thing going on that I love. And like you said, you just tell he's brilliant. I know during the session some people seemed a little taken aback by his bluntness. But here's my taken - I've finally come to terms with my obesity and how to deal with it - I don't need someone who's all rainbows and Skittles and unicorns. Meeting with him made me realize I was fine paying extra to have a doctor I am 100% comfortable with.

I've been to one of the counseling sessions they have and was really impressed with how good that was too. As of right now, I can't say enough good about Centennial and Dr. Houston.

That's so awesome. I love how their office is right across the street from hospital. After meeting Dr. Houston and Holly I knew I didn't want to go anywhere else. Obviously being self pay I wanted to get the best price possible, but I decided I was willing to pay more to #1 stay close to home (they are like 20 minutes from me) and #2 get the best care possible.

Dr. Houston doesn't strike me as the warmest, fuzziest guy around (although we did bond some after discovering we are both Preds fans lol) but he does seem like he is one heck of a surgeon. And I can't say enough good about Holly. Plus, I do like the aftercare part of things. I was considering saving about $6K and going to Dallas to have the sleeve done but the idea of just calling in to report how things are going didn't cut it. Plus, if God forbid, something goes wrong, I want my surgeon right here.

That is great news. I was hoping for private rooms but didn't know how things were done. I've never had any kind of surgery or even admitted to a hospital so I am kind of clueless with these things. Did Dr. H check on you every day?an

Hope you are doing great and your one week check up goes fab!

How was your experience with Vanderbilt and Dr. Clements?

Yes ma'am

That is great! Congrats to you - keep it up!

I'm going with Dr. Houston with Centennial - surgery is scheduled for 12/16

I hope things just get better and better from here on out . I've tried a few nectar flavors - all that Vitamin Shoppe had samples for. Not too bad - some really good.

Out of curiosity - how was your hospital stay? Did you get a private room as a self pay?

The only chance you stand of getting around the insurance company excluding coverage for WLS is to find out if your insurance is "self-funded." This is what my center told me - unfortunately mine was not. Apparently they have had some limited success getting self- funded policies to provide coverage.

And if you're like me and wondering what the heck self-funded means, check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-funded_health_care

I started teaching at a CC this semester and that's why I'm looking at a December date - gotta love the nice break between semesters. My last exam is the 11th (or is it the 12th?) surgery is scheduled for the 16th and the Spring semester starts 1/16. So I'm hoping that's plenty of time to recuperate. Plus, my husband has 2 weeks off at Christmas time so he will be able to take good care of me

Prompt Pay doesn't apply to self-pay

Wait, I just realized you said you had surgery Tuesday - how are you doing? Can I assume you are home now? Please share anything about the surgery and recovery you feel comfortable sharing

I was hoping for 12/23 but it looks like my doctor's office is going to be pretty barren that week. They said if they decide they'll be doing surgeries that week they will move my date from 12/16 to 12/23. As of right now 12/23 is my one week follow up appointment.

I e-mailed the folks at Baptist and they just have me an estimate - about $20K.

Centennial was much more specific - $18,032. I have met with Dr. Houston and have everything scheduled and my surgery date is 12/16. They could have gotten me on much earlier but the date was my choice.

Which seminar are you attending? I would be glad to help you with any more info I can share

I haven't had surgery yet - 12/16 is my date - but my self pay rate is $18,032.

Really? My initial consult with my surgeon was about an hour. During this time he answered any question I could throw at him. Plus he gave me a "Sleeve Owner's Manual" which outlines everything from pre-op stuff, to what to expect at the hospital, and post-op care.

Wowza!!!

Congrats! I agree with each surgeon is different. I've had none of the pre-op bloodwork, EKG, etc, but my doc just wants me doing a 2 day liquid diet. Other people with a different surgeon in the same practice have to do 2 weeks. Sometimes there's no method to the madness

Ah, another example of insurance screwing things up. While part of me hates that my insurance company won't cover anything related to WLS, part of me is glad to not have to deal with the BS.

To give you an idea of just how screwed up insurance is - you're being asked to pay ~3K of the 6K anesthesia cost. My self pay rate for anesthesia is $1500 total.

Keep up the great work! You have definitely been rocking your sleeve!

As of right now I'm scheduled or December 16 @ 8am - only a 2 day pre-op diet. After meeting with the surgeon here in town and feel very confident I am in very good hands. Love him and his office manager.