Were is all my Chattanoogians at?

[ilandgurl 1]

Memorial, or maybe it's the doctor, requires a nutrition class and a meeting with a counselor prior to surgery. My doctor was Ponce', surgery at Memorial, and I paid the co-pay to Ponce' that they said covered hospital charges and doctors fees. I also paid $95 to Memorial for the class and counselor, which is to educate you on healthier eating and choices, and the counselor to screen for people with eating disorders and such. I am not sure if my fee paid for the anesthesia, so I have to check with Ponce' to see who pays that. I also found that they estimated my fee based on the fact that I had not met my deductible, but I did meet it before surgery. So now I find through Blue Cross that I've overpaid by about $266 or so, and I have to get with the doctor about a refund of overpayment that Blue Cross says I'm entitled to. I hear that some hospitals in Chattanooga require an expensive program prior to surgery, but Memorial is pretty simple and is just what they say, $95.

[Carrie_C 9]

Thanks! My insurance (Cigna) required me to have those classes before they would approve the surgery, so I have already paid the $95 for the classes. So hopefully I wouldn't have to pay the hospital anymore. Johnna at Dr Paynter's office told me I have to pay my coinsurance to their office, so that's great if I don't have to pay the hospital anything extra.

[Chunkymonkys 0]

Thanks! My insurance (Cigna) required me to have those classes before they would approve the surgery, so I have already paid the $95 for the classes. So hopefully I wouldn't have to pay the hospital anymore. Johnna at Dr Paynter's office told me I have to pay my coinsurance to their office, so that's great if I don't have to pay the hospital anything extra.

I have, and work for CIGNA and I am having my surgery done by Dr. Ponce on this Thursday the 8th!! I went thru the same office you did, I have been working with Johnna and she is so very nice! I had to pay my $ up front to them, and they take care of where it needs to be shipped out to, etc. The only other thing I've had to pay for other than that, is the $95 fee to Memorial for the pysch and the nutrition class. Johnna assured me that there shouldn't be any more charges, but, well, we will see LOL.

Good luck!!

[Carrie_C 9]

Thanks chuncky. Yes, Johnna is very nice. I go for my preop class this Wednesday. Good luck with your surgery Thursday! Let us know how it went!

[Mink 0]

Has anybody used the same day surgery center. Am scheduled for June 12 ( same day is 4000. less than Hosp.) Dr Ponce is doing mine.

Edited May 11, 2008 by Mink

[Carrie_C 9]

My insurance (Cigna) won't pay for the surgery center, thay will only pay for the hospital. I think most others are done at the surgery center.

[daniml 0]

I'm having my surgery with Dr. Ponce on May 28th. I'm self pay so it will be at the surgery center in Dalton. I have heard great things about the center so I'm really not worried about it. Great to meet other people that are also in the Chattanooga area.

[TDRinCHATT 1]

I paid nothing to the hopital before surg.

[Mink 0]

I'm having my surgery with Dr. Ponce on May 28th. I'm self pay so it will be at the surgery center in Dalton. I have heard great things about the center so I'm really not worried about it. Great to meet other people that are also in the Chattanooga area.

What about your fills when you are self pay? I thought they were free for the first year but just read in the paperwork I am resposible

thanks

[daniml 0]

The follow ups for the first year are included in the price. The adjustments are $50 a piece during the first year. After that it goes up, but I can't remember by how much right now. I think maybe $125 for adjustments and $45 for follow ups.

[TDRinCHATT 1]

I was banded last thursday by dr Ponce. I've had a few bumps in the road of recovery, but in general had a great experience at Memorial for the surgery.

I'm just over a week out and really starting to feel better. I can't wait to get back in the swing of things.:tongue2:

[Carrie_C 9]

I know what you mean. I had surgery 5/22 and the first week was very hard. But it does get better each day.

[Chunkymonkys 0]

I was banded last thursday by dr Ponce. I've had a few bumps in the road of recovery, but in general had a great experience at Memorial for the surgery.

I'm just over a week out and really starting to feel better. I can't wait to get back in the swing of things.:tongue2:

Hey, we had our surgery on the same day, same hospital, same suregon. How cool is that? Congrats on feeling better!:thumbup: Small world!

[Bigb 0]

I was banded on 12-27-06 by Dr. Land at memorial. I had my fifth fill on May the 15th and that day changed my life. I now know what restriction feels like. Since my first visit I have lost 85 pounds. It was not as simple as it sounds. Pre-op I lost 45 and the two weeks after I lost another 15. When I got feeling good enough to eat I started eating and didn't slow down until I had gained back all but 6 pounds of that sixty. Since January I have started going back to the weight management center and becoming more active and more accountable for my eating. I have lost 79 pounds since January and finally feel like I am on my way to being where I want to be with my weight. I just want you guys that have recently been banded to realize it is just a tool, but it will work if you use it everyday. Get your fills call the nurses and see the consouler and be proud of what you have accomplished.

[swaffson 0]

mine were covered by insurance. I have united health.