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

Recommended Posts

Angie, What happened? I have an appt with Dr Gonzalez on Wed. I am understanding that there is no other charges other than what I pay TLC. I did all my pre-op work with Dr Townsend in Richardson. There we no charges for that service. I did read that if you had "additional" tests, that you would be responsible for paying for those. Just like the psych exam. Please let me know what happened (if you can) so I can be prepared for Wednesday!

Sorry that this happened to you. I know how excited you are to get this done. Hopefully, you can just choose another surgeon through TLC.

Cindy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi all! I've lurked and read this evening, and I have a question or two.

The reason I'm considering TLC is the price - I am self pay, as many of you seem to be. Do they work with a specific finance company? I won't have the money up front, so I was wondering how others of you had paid for it.

Also, I live about 6.5 hours from the DFW area, so how often are the checkups? I know fills are about every 6 weeks, but I didn't know if there was a post-surgery checkup that I needed to be aware of.

Thanks!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Cara!

I used a low interest credit card to pay for my surgery. Tax refund will cover most of it, so I'm not worried about paying a minimal finace charge until the refund comes in. As far as check ups go....I had a two week post-op check up with my surgeon (Dr. Kim) in his office at North Hills hospital...even though my surgery was at the TLC/Prestonwood surgery center. I'm supposed to go for a 3 hour group visit at the 3 week mark...which is now but no one has called me to schedule this, so I'm not sure what to do about it. I've been busy...so I haven't called either. There is also supposed to be a 3 week...phone follow up call that I haven't received yet either. Other then those....the only thing I see in my paperwork is the fill schedule. The fills are included in the cost for the first 6 months. They have several TLC locations to choose from. Hope this helps.....best of luck to you on this journey.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am self-pay as well. Fortunately I had the cash so no financing is necessary. I know there are several finance companies that they use. CapitalOne Health is supposed to be a good company. I'm not really sure about the followup if you are traveling from a distance. Call them, they will be happy to answer your questions. However, I believe this special rate they are offering is over soon. I made my first inquiry with them 3 weeks ago and now I have my surgery scheduled in 2 weeks so it can move fast if you want it to.

Stacey, how are things going? How about you, Road King? Keep the updates coming. I'm sure there are several more of us learning from your experiences.

Good luck Cowboy!

YUM OPTIFAST!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi to all you Dallas bandsters! I was banded on Jan 24th at Prestonwood. They were great! I used Dr. Veninga as my surgeon, and loved the way he was so down-to-earth and made sure I understood *exacty* what was going to happen. I've never spent 2-1/2 hours in a doctor's office before- it was nice to feel like they "cared" over there!

Now for the main reason of this post: I discovered pre-op that I was VERY lactose-intolerant of the Optifast, and I had bought quite a bit of the drinks- chocolate & vanilla- as well as several boxes of the powder that you mix with Water. If there's anyone in the Dallas/Rockwall area who would like to have it, please drop me a message. I'll be happy to pass it on to you at no cost. (I tried again to drink one, and in less than 10 minutes my stomach rebelled~!!) I'll have to look and see exactly how much I have left, but it will probably be enough for someone's pre or post-op needs! That stuff is rather costly and not covered in the basic self-pay fee they charge. I would rather see someone get use from it than throw it out!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am self-pay as well. Fortunately I had the cash so no financing is necessary. I know there are several finance companies that they use. CapitalOne Health is supposed to be a good company. I'm not really sure about the followup if you are traveling from a distance. Call them, they will be happy to answer your questions. However, I believe this special rate they are offering is over soon. I made my first inquiry with them 3 weeks ago and now I have my surgery scheduled in 2 weeks so it can move fast if you want it to.

Stacey, how are things going? How about you, Road King? Keep the updates coming. I'm sure there are several more of us learning from your experiences.

Good luck Cowboy!

YUM OPTIFAST!

Thanks for asking how we are all doing. Sorry I have not posted in a while. I am doing great. I am in my 3rd week after surgery so I'm at the mushie stage. The first couple of days was nice being able to eat something other than Optifast. But for me I am at the point where the Optifast period was easier than this mushie stage. I am trying to stick with Soups. I do like my cottage cheese. Still drinking 2 Optifast a day to help with the hunger. Dr Kim did tell me, I could start to feel hungry, but do not worry, it just means I am healing. I have not really had any complaints. No reqrets I decided to have the band. Looking forward to my journey. From the date I started my pre op 2 weeks before surgery 1-10-08 to today I have lost 20lbs. I know it's going to slow down, but sure is nice to say 20 lbs gone. I have my first fill scheduled for March 6th. Looking forward to the fill.

Dianne

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi to all you Dallas bandsters! I was banded on Jan 24th at Prestonwood. They were great! I used Dr. Veninga as my surgeon, and loved the way he was so down-to-earth and made sure I understood *exacty* what was going to happen. I've never spent 2-1/2 hours in a doctor's office before- it was nice to feel like they "cared" over there!

Now for the main reason of this post: I discovered pre-op that I was VERY lactose-intolerant of the Optifast, and I had bought quite a bit of the drinks- chocolate & vanilla- as well as several boxes of the powder that you mix with Water. If there's anyone in the Dallas/Rockwall area who would like to have it, please drop me a message. I'll be happy to pass it on to you at no cost. (I tried again to drink one, and in less than 10 minutes my stomach rebelled~!!) I'll have to look and see exactly how much I have left, but it will probably be enough for someone's pre or post-op needs! That stuff is rather costly and not covered in the basic self-pay fee they charge. I would rather see someone get use from it than throw it out!!!

We were banded on the same day. The 24th of January. My surgery was at 9:00. It's nice to have people that used the same surgery center and banded around the same time for support. How are you doing on the mushie's. What have you found to eat.

Dianne

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hidy Hidy Everybody

Tomorrow at 9:00 Dr. Kim will band me.

I am looking forward to it but still a little scared of the unknown.

Happy Valentines everyone

Doug

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Good luck Doug!! We'll all be thinking of you. The team at TLC & Prestonwood will take great care of you!! John (Dr. Kim's P.A. is sooooo nice too). Post when you feel up to it after surgery. The first couple days post-op, try to stick to a good routine with pain meds and you will do great.

Hi Dianne....so glad to hear that being hungry means we are healing. I'm starving on this mushie stage and have gained back 2 pounds now. I go for my first fill the 28th, so I hope it is a good one and makes me feel some restriction and less hunger. I love cottage chesse as well....that has become my morning meal instead of an Optifast. Still having Soup at dinner though....my favs are the Campbells selects....Minestrone:) Keep posting and let me know you're doing on this band journey:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am self-pay as well. Fortunately I had the cash so no financing is necessary. I know there are several finance companies that they use. CapitalOne Health is supposed to be a good company. I'm not really sure about the followup if you are traveling from a distance. Call them, they will be happy to answer your questions. However, I believe this special rate they are offering is over soon. I made my first inquiry with them 3 weeks ago and now I have my surgery scheduled in 2 weeks so it can move fast if you want it to.

Stacey, how are things going? How about you, Road King? Keep the updates coming. I'm sure there are several more of us learning from your experiences.

Good luck Cowboy!

YUM OPTIFAST!

Hi there!!

Yes...thank you for asking how things are going. I just replied to Road King (Dianne) so I'm sorry to repeat the same thing but I'm STARVING!! Glad to know that it just means that I'm healing though and will be ready for my first fill on the 28th:thumbup:!! Please keep sharing your thoughts and updates....it really is so nice to have a group of us in the same time period and same surgery center. Good luck on your journey!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Cowboy just keep telling yourself you are in good hands. Dr Kim is wonderful. Everyone at the surgery center are very good and will make sure you feel comfortable. They will explained everything to you. When I left there Thursday the 24th of January I knew I had made the right decision. Please keep us posted how you are doing. We will keep you in our prayers.

Dianne

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi y'all, I am having my consultation for Dr. Kim tomorrow. They told me they were going to email me paper work to have filled out before I come, but I have not received it. Would anyone happen to have that still in their email that they could forward to me. I'm afraid they must have got my email wrong. I am going to the TLC clinic in Euless tomorrow afternoon.

T

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

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 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

    ×