This decision has been years in the making and I finally have my date, 8/24. Pre-op diet to start 8/12. Both excited and very anxious!

I'm in southern CT. Anyone else?

Hi Shakti -

I grew up in Ffld Cty but I live in the New Haven area now. Who is your surgeon?

I was looking at getting my surgery through Fairfield County Bariatrics - Dr. Neil Floch. I met with him 2 years ago in his Norwalk and Fairfield offices and really liked him. But a few months later I got laid off and of course, insurance wouldn't cover it. When I started my new job last year, my new employer's plan wouldn't cover any WLS at all. Frustrating to say the least. So I explored self-pay but the prices are outrageous in CT and it's the hospital, not the surgeon, driving up the cost. The office manager sent me the breakdown - the surgeon's fee was $6000, anesthesia $1800, and the hospitals wanted $15000 - 17000 (Dr. Floch performs surgery out of Norwalk, Griffin, and Bridgeport Hospital). Oh and the hospital wants a one-time cash payment, no financing. I don't have $25,000 - 30,000 just sitting around so I am exploring having the surgery done out of state. My parents live in FL and I can get sleeved there for $10K - $15K all inclusive. It's certainly easier to finance $10K vs $25K! Hopefullly your insurance plan covers WLS!

Hi ezbeinggreen!

I live in Cos Cob, and my surgeon is Neil Floch. As I mentioned, this decision comes after years of debate, until I finally admitted to myself that 'diet and exercise' was never going to be a good solution. I also did much research in the ff county area, and his practice came up again and again as one with an excellent reputation.

I liked Dr Floch so much from the start but was terrified of the surgery. In the process of my pre-op work-up he discovered gallstones, and so a month ago I had my gb out, and it went really well. He was so skilled and compassionate that I had no choice but to put my fears aside.

My insurance will not cover any bariatric surgery (i'm getting the sleeve) but with my high weight and co-morbidities I know this surgery will save my life. I've had no choice but to finance it. I got the same quotes you did - for Norwalk Hospital, the sleeve is $16,000. ouch!

If you have an option of a reputable surgeon in Florida for much less, I would definitely explore it!

Don't beat yourself up or feel you have to justify your decision. I did that to myself for a long time. It took me years to accept I wasn't taking the "easy way" out. Ask anyone here, there is nothing easy about surgical weight loss. Your head issues do not magically go away. I beat myself up for years for not having the willpower and self-control to do it on my own. But it is so much more than that. Of course, if we could lose the weight on our own we would! If it was easy, WLS surgery wouldn't even exist. But it is not and if you are anything like me, you struggled most of your adult life with weight issues. Heck who am i kidding - I was chubby kid as well. It was not an easy decision for me either. I was 36 when I had my first procedure done. I had a BMI of 38 and co-morbities (High Blood Pressure, sleep Apnea, pre-Diabetic). After I lost the weight everything went away, except the HBP but my medication was significantly reduced. But when the band came out, I regained all the weight in less than 2 years. Now at 44 I have what they collectively call metabolic syndrome (it's a group of conditions all at once - high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, etc.). I was diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes earlier this year. So I am doing this again because I know I can't do it on my own. I have too many issues with food and the only thing that ever worked for me was restriction. I know firsthand surgery worked for me. I don't want a heart attack like my mother had at 49. I don't want to live a miserable, sedentary short life. I too feel the cost of the surgery is an investment in me, and I am worth it! We are worth it!

And @@Shakti I am so happy for you, and even a little jealous that you are getting it done in just a few weeks by Dr. Floch. They really do have the best reputation in CT. Good luck and keep us all posted!!!

hi green - (hope you don't mind the abbreviation - lol!)

Thank you so much for your support. I know this is the right thing for me. I haven't told too many people. I hate judgements and we all know this is not the easy way out! I expect it to be hard work but it will be so worth it.

I initially saw Dr Floch looking to do the lap band, but he said that it would not do anything to help my diabetes. And the band seems to have fallen out of favor, while at one time it was the answer for people who didn't want the gastric bypass.

The more I researched the sleeve the more it resonated with me. I think now it is the most used bariatric procedure.

In addition to diabetes I also have high cholesteral, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, all the good stuff. i am so looking forward to getting this weight off!!

Putting all of the life-sustaining and medical issues aside, being overweight in Greenwich Connecticut is so NOT easy.

I am not from this town originally, and I'm sure you know what I am talking about!

Waterbury Ct just had surgery monday!!