Cash Pay Question

[Sassie 0]

SO, I am a newbie, I have my first consultation on Wednesday. I am wondering how long after that first consultation, your surgery was scheduled??

I have been thinking about doing this for almost a year and now that I made the decision I want to get it DONE.

thanks

SASSIE

[educationrulz 18]

Hey Sassie,

I think this all depends on your doctor and your payment status - insurance vs self-pay. It seems like the self-pay sleevers tend to get scheduled pretty quickly after consultation assuming their financing is already lined up. I actually was able to request a tentative surgery date pending insurance approval, but I don't consider it an official date. I've handled most of my interactions with the docs office over the phone since my consult a coupld of months ago. I'm hoping everything will fall into place and I can keep my tentative surgery date. Good luck with everything.

[Stacy160 201]

Twelve days from consult to sleeve! :closedeyes:

[wannalise 16]

If you are self pay the whole process can go very quickly.

[goodlife 3]

My consult was March 31. He asked for a letter of clearance from my PCP who happened to be on vacation that week so I had to wait for her to get back before I could get it. Thankfully they faxed it right over the day she returned but that did set me back a week.

My pre-op appointment with my surgeon is next wednesday and I'm keeping my fingers crossed they will have an opening the last few days of the month since that is my small window of opportunity. I'm hoping for either the 28,29, or 30.

So if that pans out it would be right at four weeks.

[Sassie 0]

Thank you all for answering me. I am so glad I have found this site. It has answered so many questions and feel like a safe place for good information.

[FreeToBeMe 2]

I was cash pay and I could have had the sleeve in less than a month after my consult but I had to wait due to financial reasons. Good luck!

[TexasT 99]

I had to get a pre-op cardiac clearance, but was scheduled in just a couple of weeks after consult.

[Swiftflow 6]

Mine was all about the surgeons schedule and he only does cash pay on certain days--Im sure that is due to the different billings and costs with cash pay vs. insurance.

[seaview 2]

i self paid in california....did my research....saw the doctor...on a wednesday..made my decision friday..was scheduled three weeks out...done...

if you're self pay they'll fit you into their surgery schedule when it's convenient for you...that was my experience. I will say that you really need to do your research first though so you know what you're getting yourself into. It's no small thing.It always sounds good when people are over it..but getting through it is a difficult thing.it's not the easy way out...

[pumpkin07 32]

They will throw you on the table in about 5 minutes once they know you have the money. lol

But the thing is, you do miss out on so much of the nutritional training and psychological preparation. I regret that part. I had one session of each, it wasn't enough. I think that effects your outcome, so something to think about.

[wannalise 16]

If you have the option you can still pay for some places program fees and have access to all the cool post op stuff.

[Sassie 0]

I am in Utah, and it seems like the office I am looking at gives alot for cash patients. You are not only paying for the surgery but also a years access to counselor and NUT. I willhave more understanding of exactly what I am getting after wednesday.

I don't expect this to be the EASY way, but for me none of the OTHER ways have worked I feel like for me this is my best shot at success.

I am nervous, excites and even a little scared but I think that most of us here would all say thie same at this point in the process.:thumbup:

[ouroborous 519]

Here's a bit of advice: keep your receipts. You can deduct the sleeve costs on next year's tax returns (in fact, I believe you can deduct all medical expenses above $500, although I'd check with your accountant to be sure).

My girlfriend did that with her sleeve, and this year she got back almost $8000 instead of the usual $1500 or so. It didn't quite "pay for itself," but that sure takes away some of the sting!

[Swiftflow 6]

They will throw you on the table in about 5 minutes once they know you have the money. lol

But the thing is, you do miss out on so much of the nutritional training and psychological preparation. I regret that part. I had one session of each, it wasn't enough. I think that effects your outcome, so something to think about.

I am glad my surgeon does not bypass the educational requirements for self pay indeed! In fact Tomorrow I have a full day of classroom training getting me ready for the surgery. Im sure after 12+ years of doing WLS they learned that education is key to success and they would only be hurting there own success rate if they did not require the manditory learning. This is in addition to required seminar, labs, EGD, sonogram, doctor consult, and EKG to make sure you are ready for this.

Edited April 20, 2010 by Swiftflow