Hello everyone!! This is my first post I've been a member of the site for a while and been wanting the surgery for years. Now finally I feel like the stars are aliening in my favor. I little bit about me....

Age: 25

Current Weight: 316

Starting Weight: 320 (gain 7 lbs at my second appointment )

Surgeon: Dr Tony Primomo @ The Davis Clinic in Houston

Insurance: Aetna

Insurance Requirements: 3 nutritional classes at least 30 days apart. I already did 2 and go for the last one on the 23rd.

At my first nutritional class the nutritionist informed me that Aetna has a requirement that you not gain any weight at all from your first recorded weight to your day of approval. So basically whatever your lowest recorded weight, you can't be at all above that when it's submitted for approval (which I'm super dooper nervous about).

So that's the main deats and so here's one of the weird things that I'm worried about... My surgeon now requires that all his patients have to do an EDG (or EGD idk) So from what I'm told is a scope camera that they put all the way down just to look at everything and make sure it's all ok before surgery.... however, the thing that Im really worried about is the cost... I have a high deductible plan and I'm worried that I'll have to pay a fortune for the test then if that actually makes me meet my $3,000 deductible then I'll still have to pay my 20% at time of surgery. So does anyone have any experience with the EDG and know ballpark costs?

I'm also super super scared/nervous about the 2 week pre-op liquid diet... but that's for another time lol

Thanks for any and all feed back.... and Happy Weight Loss

Hey Brit. I am uninsured so I'm using CareCredit to cover surgery. It's almost $15,000 not including the cost of the EGD which is about $2k here in San Antonio. Maybe try getting the CareCredit to cover the deductible and any extra fees? I'd rather be paying the $3k deductible than the $1k/mo I'm going to have to pay for the next 18 months. Ya know?

As far as the pre-op diet goes, my doc has a specific brand he sells, as well. However, my Nut is all about saving money. She recommended several brands that could be used for shakes. Make your own or Atkins 4/day with a small meal (3oz meat and 1nonstarchy veggie) or 3 Premier Protein and 1 small meal. Atkins strawberry tastes like strawberry milk and the PP choc is pretty good. I didn't like the strawberry PP.

It is difficult to maintain the first few days when you're adjusting. If you can get through the first 3 days, you can make the two weeks. you just have to remember this is a step toward the new you. I have to keep reminding myself, as well. And, I have to admit I've added one or two extra ounces to the meat portion. In essence, you're just trying to get your body to hit Ketosis where it starts burning fat vs carbs. I've lost about 12 lbs in two weeks and I stillhave one week to go before the surgery. Ahhhh!!

Good luck!

I had an EGD a week and a half ago. Mine was a 700 dollars. I live in Northwest Arkansas. I didn't have to pay anything up-front. My deductible and out of pocket has been met though.