Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hello my name is Tina and I live in Oklahoma. I am currently 359 pounds and in desperate need of surgery but my insurance refuses to cover the procedure. I am considering a self pay option with Dr. Kim in Texas. Has anyone had surgery with him and what was your experience. Any information will

Be most appreciated.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Tina, I don't have any experience with Dr. Kim, but you might explore whether a hernia repair/sleeve option might be for you if your insurance does not cover the procedure. I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia (which my insurance covered), which my surgeon then repaired and I paid a small additional fee in addition to also do the sleeve at the same time. This was a significantly less expensive option for me. I'm in Dallas.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Tina, my insurance paid for my surgery but I used dr. victor gonzalez in dallas. He and his staff are absolutely wonderful. I think you should at least give them a call and talk to them.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello my name is Tina and I live in Oklahoma. I am currently 359 pounds and in desperate need of surgery but my insurance refuses to cover the procedure. I am considering a self pay option with Dr. Kim in Texas. Has anyone had surgery with him and what was your experience. Any information will

Be most appreciated.

Hi Tina, I don't have any experience with Dr. Kim, but you might explore whether a hernia repair/sleeve option might be for you if your insurance does not cover the procedure. I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia (which my insurance covered), which my surgeon then repaired and I paid a small additional fee in addition to also do the sleeve at the same time. This was a significantly less expensive option for me. I'm in Dallas.

I agree, I did the same thing thru Dr. Clayton Frenzel in the Dallas area. You have to go for an EGD test to determine whether you have the hernia; if so then the sleeve only costs you $3500 out of pocket. I just had my sleeve done on Monday and think Dr Frenzel did a great job; other than the incisional pain, I feel great and am very able to drink broth and the Isocure clear Protein drinks with no nausea. In fact I was able to drive back home (NW Arkansas area) two days after surgery. Can't say enough good things at this point.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Had the inverted gastric sleeve with Dr Kim this past August. Best decision I ever made. Down 80 pounds!

He is an amazing doctor and the office staff is incredible. They have an amazing support group as well. I would not have been as successful without them. Dr Kim also has the hernia program available as well (which is what I did).

I started out with Dr Frenzel but his office staff was inept and what a blessing it turned out to be as I couldn't be any happier with Dr Kim and his staff!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you so much for the information Browneyedgirl. Are you local to the area or did you have to travel? If you did have to travel, how many days did you stay in Texas before heading home if you do not mind me asking.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am local but I do know they welcome/work with traveling patients.

Dr Kim has his own surgical center. It is an amazing facility with a staff that caters to bariatric patients only. My surgery started around 6 am in the morning and I was released around 1 pm the same day. Surgery was on a Monday and by Wednesday I was no longer taking pain meds. By that Saturday I would say I was 85-90% back to normal and was shopping and going to the movies like any other weekend!

Wouldn't trade my experience for anything!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If one needed to stay the night do they have that option or do they close up shop at night? Because you did not stay overnight with an IV did you experience any dehydration? Sorry for so many questions but I really appreciate your answers.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Not sure about overnight stays. I would suppose they have some plan for people who were not ready to be released but I have never heard of anyone needing to be admitted overnight.

No dehydration issues at all. They have precise instructions on how many ounces you have to drink each hour.

It really was overall a painless, easy experience for me but know that each situation for each person is different.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Also, what part of Oklahoma are you in? If possible I would suggest coming to the DFW area one day and meet with two or three surgeons. I actually interviewed three doctors before making my decision and I am so glad I did!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi! Dr Kim did my inverted sleeve almost 4 years ago! I've lost 90 and doing well keeping it off! Hes a GREAT doctor. He does not beat around the bush at all. He will be straight forward with you. He is very serious about people and getting their lives changed through WLS and he cares a lot about you!

If you have insurance they have a hiatal hernia program that cost anywhere between 6995-8995 depending on your insurance and if it qualifies for that program. Of course you would have to have a hiatal hernia program too which is very common. It is possible though, he may put you on a weight goal to get to before surgery. If you carry a lot in your belly area its very possible. He wants his patients to have a safe surgery.

The support is amazing going through Kim Bariatrics. The office support groups are held once a month in the office but you can watch them online. They also offered once a month FREE fitness events. Also we have an amazing private patient only Facebook support group you can join after you have surgery. We do lots of fun things together each month! We have gone dancing, bowling, roller skating, ziplined, and we had our very first KBI cruise this past year!! I know you live far away but being on that group helps you big time because you are surrounded by the same information that your doctor teaches. Not like other groups with tons of doctors being represented.

I wish you the very best during your journey! Give them a call or fill out the contact us form on their webpage and someone will call you. https://www.drdkim.net/

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You may want to investigate going to Mexico for the surgery. I am an intelligent person and did my research. I was sleeved on 12/28 in mexico. There was someone there from OK as well $4200.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Mexico was amazing, I had a great experience, felt like I was so well cared for. So much staff, I never needed to use my nurse call button.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×