So when I went for my last appointment (before they submit my paperwork to insurance) yesterday. I asked my surgeon about insurance stuff and if there will be any costs to me if I get approved. His answer was this, t you don't know if the insurance is going to pay until after the surgery, which made no sense to me. I assume the submit the paperwork and I will be approved before the surgery. He also said that there should be no problem with them paying since I meet all the criteria and did all the pre op stuff. SO has anyone ever heard of such a thing?

Now a question on Vitamins. I have been taking gummy vitamins (adult formula), is this ok to continue taking? Also are they ok to take when I am on liquids pre and post op? I also take a Calcium supplement like Viactiv, is this also ok to take? I've seen on some websites that there ar vitamins geared toward people who have had weight loss surgery, should I take those instead?

Hi Jess,

I'm thinking that your doctor is saying that you are ultimately responsible for his bill if it isn't covered by insurance. I believe you will get an approval letter in advance from most insurance companies. I don't see how a doctor can say for sure whether your insurance will cover it - ALL policies are different. It isn't just that some companies cover it and some don't. For example, I have Aetna. Aetna covers bariatric procedures under some of its policies but not under my policy.

On the Vitamins - follow whatever your doctor recommends. I just ordered and tried the Celebrate chewable vitamins in pineapple strawberry and they tasted ok and didn't upset my tummy at all (mind you - I haven't been banded yet).

Best wishes and good luck for a speed approval!

Contact your insurance company directly and find out what they cover and what your co-pays are. I was surprised with a $100.00 hospital co-pay. Had I read my policy better, I'd have been expecting it. My surgeon's office wasn't worried about my co-pays, only about my coverage in general.

I would steer clear of the gumi vitamins. I'm 4 months post op & still have trouble with the gumi stuff. I was doing chewables, but have switched to drinking 2 protein drinks a day that are loaded with vitamins. I've foudn this works better for me.