LISS011

I went to dr Shillingford in December 2018 and it was the best thing I’ve ever done . $10k all in , surgery went perfect and I am down 60lbs . He is the best !

Well, BLOSSOM didn't get the chance to earn my business and I wanted them to.
I have MEDICARE and found out earlier this month whenever I inquired with BLOSSOM that they don't take it. Their cash price for the Safe Gastric Sleeve is almost $17,000. I was going to look at buying an INDIVIDUAL health insurance plan the 15TH OF FEBRUARY through BCBS here in Florida, since the market opens back up then, so I looked at them online last night.
I called Blossom back today to talk to them about it and they handed me over to one of their insurance professionals. I had previously been told that they bill all of their procedures OUT-OF-NETWORK if your insurance doesn't cover Bariatric surgery. Which is fine. Get this...... Now they tell me that they ONLY ACCEPT Employer health insurance plans. They DO NOT accept INDIVIDUALS health insurance plans. What is up with that?
Luckily I had previously found Dr. Shillingford in Boca Raton, Florida that does an All Inclusive Self-Pay Gastric Sleeve for those that insurance doesn't cover of $10,000; and, that includes two (2) days in the hospital. He has done over 5,000 Bariatric procedures over his career and this was my "Plan B". Disappointed in Blossom here. Wanted the experience. As they say, everything aligns for a reason.

Just had my surgery with Blossom today. Alot of nausea initally. I am 5 hrs out and it is gone. Stomach is sore, but tolerable. I also used companion care. She is vert caring. I highly recommen Blossom.

I had my surgery at Blossom back in May. I am now 7 weeks postop. I could not recommend Blossom enough. From the moment I called to get all of the information all the way to the day we left Vegas, I feel the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. They are still calling me and checking up on me to see how I am doing.
Just a note for the ones of you out there that do not think your insurance will cover this, you still need to call and find out if you are considering Blossom. They file this differently with your insurance company. My insurance company paid thousands and thousands for my surgery and the other things that had to be done. I only had to pay $6000 out of pocket. I did the fast track program which is done in 4 days. What I paid out of pocket, covered everything for my surgery, the medications you will need after surgery, all of the compression socks, the hotel and the ground transportation to and from the doctors offices and the airport if needed.

I’ve looked into Blossom and getting my finances in order. I like all the testing they do in house. I don’t want to rush this nor do I want to be put on waiting list when I’m so excited and ready to go. Both my daughters and husband are against me doing this. But this is something I’ve been wanting to do for years. But never really told anyone. But maybe when I’m ready they may come around. I hope so.

I haven't gone there. I went to McAllen, TX and paid 8500 with no insurance. I met with the surgeon for initial consult then 2 week diet + pre-OP clearances.

Thank you all for the information. Your comments have assured me to contact blossom on Monday.
If I could ask you all. What day of the week did you fly down. I am
Wondering what days they do surgery on.
I know a few people who went to Mexico. Paying the extra 1400 or so to have the longer stay and in the US really gives me a piece of mind.

It's an outpatient procedure. Go back to the hotel after release and walk as much as you possibly can. There will be several others there for their procedure. It is not uncommon to see others walking the halls and outside. Day after, you go back for IV therapy, keep walking, day after that you can fly home. I had absolutely zero issues after the procedure or on the flight home. My flight was only 1 1/2 but I did have a 3 hr drive home that same day. Good luck, it is life changing in all of the best ways. Not one little doubt or regret in my mind since. You are in great hands, the staff is wonderful!!!

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I underwent VSG at Blossom Bariatrics/Warm Springs Surgical Center on 1/24/19. My surgeon was Dr. Matt Apel. I have nothing but positive things to say. Their staff members were amazing, but more importantly, they were completely thorough in everything they did- from the pre-op work-up, to surgery, to the IV infusion the day after surgery. They even emailed me copies of the surgical report and pathology reports. Everything was spectacular. The hotel they put us in was nice, clean, and quiet. The presidential ground transportation they provided was also very convenient for out of towners like myself. I’m a registered nurse with a background in pre-op/post-op, so I tend to pay attention to things that most people don’t notice. I found absolutely nothing to critique. Every T was crossed, and every I was dotted. I honestly can’t think of a single thing to complain about. If your insurance won’t pay to have bariatric surgery done locally (and even if it does), then I 110% whole-heartedly recommend Blossom Bariatrics.

Thank you for this!! That’s what I was hoping. I’ve been happy so far too with everyone I’ve had contact with at Blossom and everyone there has been very kind. I did not experience that at the Bariatric center here in MN. 😊 good luck to you!! Keep me posted!!

The price quoted is what you pay them, no more. If you do have insurance they will also bill your insurance carrier and collect that amount. If your insurance carrier does not provide any coverage you will not pay more than that quoted amount. Their Fast Track program starts at $6,799, you pay a $500 deposit to secure your date and pay the balance prior to surgery. My date is 1/9, it has been a great experience thus far.

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RNY here. No regrets whatsoever. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Should have done it years ago.

Congratulations on your weight loss! I posted some of my before and after pics. I was 348 at my heaviest. I was 330 in July 2020 when I began the approval process. I was 310 on December 23, 2020, the day of surgery. I am now 247. My weight loss isn’t going as fast as some. I do eat a bit more in carbs and I work out 4-5 days a week including strength training. I have never felt or looked as good as I do now.

Here is me just shy of my heaviest of 365 lbs. I started my Weight loss journey June 2020. I lost about 35 pre surgery which was January 4, 2021. I also have had to have a revision due to a perforated ulcer mid July. I am now down a total of 120 lbs. it’s amazing the difference I feel. My 5 year old can actually sit in my lap… because I have one now! I can see my feet when I weigh myself. I don’t have to lean against a wall to wipe after using the bathroom, or to clean myself in the shower. I can buckle my seatbelt with out getting out of breath. I now consider myself ‘normal’ fat because I actually blend in with a crowd rather than standing out as the largest in a room! I’m sure I could go on but I am so glad I did this!

Weight regain can happen with any type of surgery. Behavior change and the choices you make will be a factor in your outcome. There are many sleevers that have kept the weight off long term.

I have noticed the many people that get the sleeve eventually end up having the bypass at a later time.

I had RNY and at 3 mos post-op I could not keep anything down and had stomach and chest pain. After 2 trips to the ER my surgeon did a scope and I had developed an ulcer at the staple site of my new stomach. Apparently this can happen at anytime during the healing process. I am on meds 4 times a day and it takes about 3 mos to heal. You should contact your surgeon asap.

Had mine at 43. I’m 46 now. Lost all my weight too. I still have to monitor myself and keep myself in check but for me it keeps me accountable. You can do it😊 keep us updated

I had RNY at age 55. Lost 100% of my excess weight (over 200 lbs). It was slower than average, yes, but I was very committed to my program and far exceeded my goal.

I was 46, and feel like I lost at the same pace as most others on here. Best decision I ever made. Good luck!!

50 y/o. VGS 3/5/21 down 64 since surgery and 94 since the first of the year. If you stick to your plan and exercise ( I walk and have a rower) You will lose weight! Best decision I have ever made.

56 y/o. RNY 12/14/20. Down 115 lbs.

I'm 48 and in the beginning phases (dietician visits and tests) of bariatric surgery. I am probably getting the RNY. A lot of posts that I see are from younger women (which is great!), but I'm concerned that the weight will come off slower now that I'm older. Especially since menopause is probably around the corner. Could you share your stories (successes or challenges), so I could get an idea of what things look like for women close to their 50's. Thanks!

I did security and went back like 1week maybe 2 i had a umbilical mass and went back had surgery 4 months later doctor aloud to go right back to work i had tubes hanging for drainage but a heads up make sure to wear.your binder and it fits correctly i had a mans size that was to big they where out and they never gave the right size i stop wearing bad choice i was working at FedEx before and during all of covid last year as a package handler no help heavy furniture over load of boxes i hurt myself ive.told i have no stomach core muscle wear the binder and work on you stomach muscles i had to resign and having issues

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I had the Gastric sleeve in 2016 and let's just say mistakes were made*, I gained all the weight back. I decided to do a revision surgery to the gastric bypass, so this was a revision surgery and my second one. Fluids are no problem. I drink 2 Protein Shakes a day, plus Water, though i dont think i'm getting 64oz in - but im close. thanks for asking!
*absolutely stay away from carbonated drinks and stop before you get full! The new stomach stretches back out so easily. Nobody told me this prior to surgery.