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Anyone Have Vsg At Hazleton, Pa Northeast Bariatric Center?



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I'm a 25yr old female from NEPA interested in getting the VSG done at NE Bariatric Center in Hazleton, Pa. Anyone else have surgery there?? What was the process like? I have First Priority Life Insurance and a BMI of 44. I'll be going to a seminar next week and am curious about other people's thoughts on Dr. Bono and how long the actual process takes. Does he make you do the 6 month pre-op diet?? I'm a little confused on that process. Any comments would be great! Thank you :)

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Hi! This is my first post- so bear with me. Dr.Bono performed my surgery may 30th. He is spectacular! He is very no-nonsense, but was compassionate when I came for my post-op. The process was 6 months, I had many clearances from other specialists to do first. The nurse that you deal with is Brenda. She is awesome. She helps with so many things, info, and the dreaded insurance. Hazleton General is where I had my surgery, they took great care of me! The info session you are going to has so much going on, it can be overwhelming. Make sure you have questions ready, they will answer them! Good luck to you!!!

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Thanks for the info! How are you feeling after the surgery? Did it take you long to recover? Have you lost a lot of weight since the surgery? Sorry for all of the questions!! haha

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I feel great now! I had a lot of vomiting the second day, but not a lot of pain. The pain I had was well controlled by the nurses. I have lost 30 pounds since may 30. I have a looooong way to go, but I am quite optimistic!!! :)

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That's awesome! It's amazing how quick some people recover from VSG. I'm trying to sort things out with my insurance company now and they said that I would have to pay a $250 deductible (which is fine) but that I am also required to pay a $2000 co-pay to the surgeon. I asked my insurance company if I would have to pay it upfront and they said it depends on the surgeon. If I have to pay it upfront I'm screwed! Did Hazleton make you pay anything upfront? Or did they just bill you later? All this insurance nonsense is driving me nuts!! :wacko:

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Marzee0728 hi i am just starrting my process w dr bono and have same insurance how was ur experience ?

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      Well recovering from gallbladder removal was a lot like recovering from the modified duodenal switch surgery, twice in 4 months yay 🥳😭. I'm having to battle cravings for everything i shouldn't have, on top of trying to figure out what happens after i eat something. Sigh, let me fast forward a couple of months when everyday isn't a constant battle and i can function like a normal person again! 😞
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    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
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