Texafornian

I am self-paying, because I have HMO insurance.I just did all of the pre-testing.( Endoscopy, blood work, ekg, gall bladder ultrasound, evaluation) So many questions come AFTER you leave the office. Anyway, come to find out I have gallstones and the doctor told me I needed to have my gall bladder removed before I can have the Lapband surgery. However, I have to go through my PCP and see if she thinks I need the gall bladder removed. Since I am asymptomatic...I don't know if that will be an option. My main concern is doing all the pre-testing and then being denied by my HMO for the gall bladder surgery. Of course, the weight loss center is happy to do it for another 6K self pay. *sigh* or I can sign a waiver saying I am willing to take a risk with my gall bladder and have the surgery anyway. I am self-pay...how much is all of the pre-testing going to cost me?!?!?! It is really going to suck if I have to pay for all the pretesting and then not be able to have the Lapband! Has anyone else gone through this?