Hello all.

I finally made the decision and started the process.

2/14/11: Verified with Saint Luke's Center for Surgical Weight Loss that my insurance would cover their program

2/15/11: Attended St. Luke's Seminar

2/23/11: Attended first pre-op Dr. appointment. Sandy explained that I would need a 1) sleep study, 2) appointment with their nutrionist and exercise specialist to begin a three month supervised diet/exercise program, 3) psych eval, 4) letter of medical clearance from my GP, and 5) copies of notes from any doctor I saw in 2009 and 2010 showing my current weight. I would also need to attend at least one support group meeting. My appointments for the psych eval and diet/exercise specialists were set. I briefly met Dr. Price.

2/24/11: I received a call from the St. Luke's Sleep Lab to schedule my sleep study.

2/27/11: Completed sleep study.

2/28/11: Received call from UHC. They explained that my policy does not cover Saint Luke's Center for Surgical Weight Loss . In addition, my policy requires a 6 month medically supervised diet.

You might imagine my reaction to this news. I was devestated and furious at St. Luke's for assuring me that my insurance would cover everything when they clearly had NO IDEA.

2/28/11: Reserved a spot in the upcoming seminar (3/7/11) at the only local program my insurance does cover, The Bariatric Center of Kansas City at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. All I can do now is wait to see what my earlier mistakes will cost me and try to move forward despite them.

I love the idea of a KC support group. I live in south kc. I am scheduled to have my surgery self-pay in mexico with Dr. Ramos Kelly on May 3. Thanks for the support, hope to be of more help and advice later on in my journey.

Just to let everyone know, I started a Kansas City area group on the social groups portion of the site. If you are interested in keeping up with one another and supporting one another, head on over and say hello!

Thanks,

Amy

Just to let everyone know, I started a Kansas City area group on the social groups portion of the site. If you are interested in keeping up with one another and supporting one another, head on over and say hello!

Thanks,

Amy

Awesome! Thanks for doing that. I'll look it up!

It's not letting me click on the button to join the group?

Just to let everyone know, I started a Kansas City area group on the social groups portion of the site. If you are interested in keeping up with one another and supporting one another, head on over and say hello!

Thanks,

Amy

I can't find it...any ideas?

Can I be part of the cool kids and hang out with you guys even though I'm a stinkin Topekan? Lol

Hi there!

I am about 7 months post-op sleeve, and I just want you to know I felt the same way going the process. However, I think divine intervention came your way in the shape of going to the Kansas City Bariatric program. Dr. Stan Hoehn did my surgery, and he is the best of the best. THe program is fantastic, and they are professional and fantastic. If you have any questions about the process I went through, don't hesitate to ask.

Keep your chin up!

What does the $500.00 program fee cover?

Thanks!

Program fees are just another way for the Dr.'s to collect more money- that is the simple answer.

Now, no surgeon would EVER admit this. So, these program fees cover a variety of things depending on who your Dr. is. I've heard everything from a year of support from their nutritionist, newsletters, a year of post op visits, access to their support group, etc.

Basically, they have to come up with "something" to make you think you are getting something as long as it doesn't cost them much or any extra money because these Dr.'s think they don't collect enough money from your insurance company.

Personally, I think they should not be allowed to do this. I know of NO other area of medicine that Dr.'s do this. They know we want these surgeries so bad that most people will find a way to come up w/the extra money. :rolleyes4:

What does the $500.00 program fee cover?

Thanks!

Hello all.

I finally made the decision and started the process.

2/14/11: Verified with Saint Luke's Center for Surgical Weight Loss that my insurance would cover their program

2/15/11: Attended St. Luke's Seminar

2/23/11: Attended first pre-op Dr. appointment. Sandy explained that I would need a 1) sleep study, 2) appointment with their nutrionist and exercise specialist to begin a three month supervised diet/exercise program, 3) psych eval, 4) letter of medical clearance from my GP, and 5) copies of notes from any doctor I saw in 2009 and 2010 showing my current weight. I would also need to attend at least one support group meeting. My appointments for the psych eval and diet/exercise specialists were set. I briefly met Dr. Price.

2/24/11: I received a call from the St. Luke's Sleep Lab to schedule my sleep study.

2/27/11: Completed sleep study.

2/28/11: Received call from UHC. They explained that my policy does not cover Saint Luke's Center for Surgical Weight Loss . In addition, my policy requires a 6 month medically supervised diet.

You might imagine my reaction to this news. I was devestated and furious at St. Luke's for assuring me that my insurance would cover everything when they clearly had NO IDEA.

2/28/11: Reserved a spot in the upcoming seminar (3/7/11) at the only local program my insurance does cover, The Bariatric Center of Kansas City at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. All I can do now is wait to see what my earlier mistakes will cost me and try to move forward despite them.

That "mistake" may just be a blessing. I'm not familiar with the Drs at St. Lukes but I do know the drs at KC Bariatric Center. My surgeon was Dr. Kowalski. And I love him. He's great. Dr. Sabapathy - the psych dr is excellent. The nutritionists are great and Becky in their front office is a joy. I had my surgery 12/1/10. I've lost 70 lbs since (a recent set back has caused a slight stall)... And the f/u support group is a great group of people. They are a center of excellence which means they have to meet certain requirements to have that "seal of approval".

What insurance do you have? Their coordinators will work with you to get everything done as quickly as possible. I started the process kind of late last year and was going to barely be done by the end of the year with my requirements. Since at that point the surgeons were usually booked 3 weeks in advance - I was afraid I wouldn't get in before the end of the year - I wanted the surgery before the end of the year because I had already met my deductible and co-insurance for my health insurance so basically I paid nothing for the surgery other than their "extra fee" that isn't covered by insurance.

Good luck. I hope to see you at the support group sometime. The VSG support group meets the 1st Thursday of every month at 3:30.

Sharon

That "mistake" may just be a blessing. I'm not familiar with the Drs at St. Lukes but I do know the drs at KC Bariatric Center. My surgeon was Dr. Kowalski. And I love him. He's great. Dr. Sabapathy - the psych dr is excellent. The nutritionists are great and Becky in their front office is a joy. I had my surgery 12/1/10. I've lost 70 lbs since (a recent set back has caused a slight stall)... And the f/u support group is a great group of people. They are a center of excellence which means they have to meet certain requirements to have that "seal of approval".

What insurance do you have? Their coordinators will work with you to get everything done as quickly as possible. I started the process kind of late last year and was going to barely be done by the end of the year with my requirements. Since at that point the surgeons were usually booked 3 weeks in advance - I was afraid I wouldn't get in before the end of the year - I wanted the surgery before the end of the year because I had already met my deductible and co-insurance for my health insurance so basically I paid nothing for the surgery other than their "extra fee" that isn't covered by insurance.

Good luck. I hope to see you at the support group sometime. The VSG support group meets the 1st Thursday of every month at 3:30.

Sharon

Hello again.

Great news - I received authorization from my insurance yesterday and have a date scheduled for surgery - October 11th. Now I'm trying to decide what flavor of Bariatric fusion Protein I should buy. LOL Apparently Dr. Hoehn's office insists that we use this brand for our 2 week pre-op diet. Any suggestions on flavors?

I'm so excited!

They don't insist. I used isopure. And complete nutritions smart smoothies. Lost 5 pounds.

I personally find it very unprofessional for a Dr. to require the use of their own protein shakes. My Dr. has his staff push his "products" pretty hard, including vitamins and I declined. They are WAY overpriced and just another marketing gimmic for them to make more $. You can find the same stuff way cheaper on your own- just follow the guidelines that they give you like usually they want you to have whey protein in the drinks. I know several people who have loaded up on stuff from their Dr.'s office only to get home and hate the flavors and they were not returnable. Go to a healthfood store and get the single packets so you can try different ones before you start buying large quantities.

Hello again.

Great news - I received authorization from my insurance yesterday and have a date scheduled for surgery - October 11th. Now I'm trying to decide what flavor of Bariatric fusion Protein I should buy. LOL Apparently Dr. Hoehn's office insists that we use this brand for our 2 week pre-op diet. Any suggestions on flavors?

I'm so excited!

You don't have to use it if you don't want to. I had already ordered a sample variety pack of Bariatric Fusion from one of the sites (bariatric pantry i think) and actually really liked them. But when I went in for preop visit I just told them I already had some (which technically I did..lol) and used them and some other samples I had. My favorite of all the ones I tried happened to be the Bariatric Fusion especially the Cappuccino which I did end up buying a tub of later and it cost the same at Dr. Hoehn's office as it did online or well depending on what website but they were all within a few dollars of each other. I would definitely suggest buying the sample pack online and if you don't like them then just use whatever you do like. I drank a lot, and still do, of the atkins shakes.