steeler350

Hello all, any help would be appreciated. Have BCBS of Massachusetts coverage is 50% coinsurance , $10,000 Lifetime benefit for bariatrics deductable $200 , max out of pocket $3000 approved first try bmi of 43 , high blood pessure pre-op fri 13th (ooooh scary) surgery wed 25th non-insurance; self-pay cost with my surgeons group is $17,000 anyhow after finding out my coverage i contacted surgeons office , they told me that the surgeons office would be billing my ins $5000 and said that the hospital would bill ins for everything else not related to surgeon but could not give me any approx figures. I asked her how much the band itself cost and after chewing the fat she told me she "thought" it would be billed for around $8000 Have an appt with surgeon one week prior to surgery and was told i needed to bring $1042 at that time. I asked if i could expect anymore billing from surgeon and was told " I wouldn't think so" Am I correct in assuming that the $1042 is my 50% coinsurance that I am responsible for in regards to the surgeons fee. ( I am assuming they have already contacted insurance and know that they will actually only allow payment of $2084 even though billed $5000 ) Also if the above is correct would the $1042 count towards my max out of pocket expense. Just trying to get an idea of how much this is going to cost me (although it will not change decision).Seems between the surgeons office, hospital & insurance co nobody can seem to give any answers that aren't related to " I think " If anybody has been in similar spot or happens to know how this may be billed, I would greatly appreciate your time and response. Thanks Karl btw surgeon is Dr Olsofka Louisville Ky Saint Marys Hospital

thats just awesome, great stuff:thumbup: Karl

Cant wait to hear how well everything went for you guys being banded today. best wishes fellas Karl

Best wishes to ya buddy you can do it:thumbup: Karl

Hey Ben, hope alls well, how ya feelin. I feel great except for where that port is. My 4 year old head-butted me at that exact spot sunday, man it felt great:thumbdown:lol. My post op diet was Clear Liquids for 2 days then cream soups,Protein drinks, etc. On Wed Im going to start on the mushies:thumbup:. Got my eye on some shredded chicken salad and some pimento cheese. I feel the same about the exercise, I actually looked into the lapband in summer of 07 and was denied in Nov 07. Told to do 6 month diet and resubmit , but I fiqured if i was going to do the diet that I would just get it done on my own. Anyhow I started the body for life program in june 08 and stuck with it through august. Lost around 45 in 2 and a half months. Then I went to my mothers in NC for a week and did some chainsawing for her and injured my back and went through 2 months of steroid epidurals. ( Had Back Surgery in 2001 On my L4-L5 & L5-S1 disk ) So anyhow by the time I was done with those I had gained it plus more back:cursing:. Anyhow I decided that I would get back to the Body for Life program in Jan after the Holidays (Not prepared to suffer through little or no portions of all that great holiday food:lol:) I went to the Dr early december and ended up being put on my first med for blood pressure. So between that and the fact that my 57 yr old uncle is 500+(complete denial by the way, absolutly refuses to acknowledge why hes so heavy) I just thought I know that i can get the weight off --- ive done it twice before down to 190-200; but also know myself well enough to know that i would more than likely be right back to 330 in the next decade. So I had this done sorta like a leash to protect me from my self. My wifes a 120 lb(dripping wet) nurse and has backed me 100% on this. That makes it so much easier. When I first brought it up she listened, went to seminar with me. Been there everystep of the way. Shes my rock Im just looking forward to finding myself again, Ive be buried for far too long. Well Ill keep in touch with you, Maybe someday when we are half ourselfs we can meet and split a burger and 2 frys:lol: Take care Karl

hey Ben, Banded on the 25th as well. everything seems to be going well with me. I have little pain now. mostly at port incision. Little bit of roamiing gas left(move as much as possible). Been on thinned out blended Soups and Protein shakes, Feel like i could eat something i could chew but gonna wait til week 3 or 4 post-op. Honestly I havent felt real hungary just my mind telling me ---boy that sure looks-smells good, lol ---. Suppose thats why im here myself. Ive, always been a volume eater. Dont drinks sodas,dont particular care for sweets, my drug of choice is the bacon cheesebuger and plenty of them:lol:. I eat plenty of healthy food as well, just it seems when i would sit down to eat it was like i just entered a contest or something. My surgeon told me to think of the band as a dog shock collar-- he said if you overate before that i will again but its gonna hurt and after a awhile (hopefully sooner than later) that the pain will modify my behavoiur kinda like pavlovs dogs:thumbup:. Anyhow I hope your feeling well and best wishes to you. Karl Go LOUAVULL Cardinals:biggrin:

mmmmmmmm baconator lol:lol:

all you guys that are a week or two post op, what kind of diet are you on at the moment and hows it going, I am 2days post op and started some thinned out blended soup.

I had very little pain, with exception of incision where the port was placed. I agree with walking as much as possible, helps dissipate the gas quicker.

Hey everybody, Haven't been on site lately. Was having extreme anxiety about surgery yesterday & found myself hanging out in the areas that everyone discusses their problems , so i decided to stay off for awhile. Anyhow went in yesterday morning at 630 and was in the car at 12:45. Wife took me to the mall because i wanted to be up moving around (was told that the more i moved ,better for getting gas out & preventing bloodclots). We got home around 5 and new Bond movie came from netflix, threw it in to watch and wife said i was asleep in 5 minutes , woke up around 11 last nite. As i said i was having extreme anxiety before, now thinking about it : it wasnt about getting lapband but the surgery itself. I have had surgery before on my l5 21 disk, but I was in so much physical pain they couldnt do it soon enough. I suppose all the anxiety stemmed from being that I was choosing this -vs- having to have it. I was suprised when I came to and to now how little pain I have had. Everyone in recovery keep going on how great I was doing. This morning I wanted something with some flavor , so I went and picked up some soups , had creamy potato and brocolli which i blended with some xtra milk, man was it good:cursing: I only ate about half of it, Felt weird eating(drinking it) I guess my stomach is just irratated. Anyhow , juswt wanted to checkin , share and read how everyone was doing. Best wishes for everyone here and may we soon be the people we know we really are:thumbup: Karl

Glad to hear everything went well for you coach, best wishes to you. Hope you get back to normal soon:smile: Karl

Had preop done today, surgery Mar 25th at 9am Dr Olsofka @ St Marys in Louisville (LOUAVULL) KY weighed 335 this morning , always been big, always struggled with my weight Have lost it twice before but put it and more back on each time. I know i can get it off. I guess my feeling is the band will help me from myself over my remaining years. (anyone else with a similar mindset?) Anyhow goodluck to the rest of you all & looking forward to getting started & glad to know there is a place like this to find support. Karl Go CARDS :scared2: