Been Reading Nightmare complications ?

[stevechavez505 3]

How many days am I gonna need to take off work after surgery ? I drive a city vehicle all day long ? Thank you all for all the great info 🙏 can’t wait to change my life .

[Arabesque 7,604]

That’s a tough one to answer & really up to how you personally recover. Some are fine after a week & easily return to work. Some need two, three or four weeks. I took four weeks & needed all of them. I struggled with low blood pressure (which was a pre existing tendency), lethargy & would get doughy in the head at times. But I am someone who always seems to take longer to recover from everything even a cold.

Discuss returning part time to begin or with reduced hours each day & keep the option of maybe needing longer open if your employers are willing.

[BabySpoons 632]

16 minutes ago, Arabesque said:

would get doughy in the head at times.

LOL I was definitely doughy in the head week one. I would say one week off at the very minimum. If city transportation involves driving the public, I would consider longer for possible safety and liability's sake.

[Smanky 757]

My recovery was longer than expected because of the surprise hiatal hernia repair (a surprise to both myself AND my surgeon), so that made my recovery more painful and longer. I agree with Arabesque - it's hard to answer and it's best to just have a plan to ease yourself back into it.

[stevechavez505 3]

My first appointment is tomorrow 🙌🏼I’m excited I’ve made a list of questions to ask the Dr. How long of a process until they give me a date !? Any tips to ask Dr?

[vacationsr4fun 5]

it all depends on backlog for surgeon and OR. It could take 2-6 months depending on if you have to attend classes etc. It won't be a slam bam done deal. My surgeon and insurance required a mental health evaluation to review my expectations All your labs tests have to be completed and EKG [within 30 days of surgery]. He may put you on a diet restriction for 30 days to see if you can lose weight on your own. This will be a test to your discipline, and also prep you for the surgery.

[BabySpoons 632]

Find out if your insurance requires a certain amount of diet counseling before surgery can be scheduled. Mine didn't and told me, timewise, it was up to the discretion of my doctor. Whatever pre-op health testing is needed, based on your condition, the doctor will order. I had to do a lot. Above and beyond what I think is considered the norm but completed everything and got insurance approval all within 3 months.

[stevechavez505 3]

Thank you babyspoons I’ll ask the Dr that insurance question 👍🏼

[stevechavez505 3]

Update went to my first appointment and everything went well but found out my insurance only covers 80% and I have to pay 20% that would be 5,800 out of pocket ! Right now I can’t pay that 👎🏼 but they have a non surgical Bariatric program that has Ozempic pen and Gobee something like that so I made an appointment to see her ! Thanks everyone appreciate all of you ❤️

[maintenanceman 287]

15 hours ago, stevechavez505 said:

Update went to my first appointment and everything went well but found out my insurance only covers 80% and I have to pay 20% that would be 5,800 out of pocket ! Right now I can’t pay that 👎🏼 but they have a non surgical Bariatric program that has Ozempic pen and Gobee something like that so I made an appointment to see her ! Thanks everyone appreciate all of you ❤️

How much is the Ozempic? How long do you have to take it? Ultimately, Ozempic might wind up being as expensive as WLS... and has a less solid base of evidence and track record. And many people say that when you stop Ozempic, you regain the weight. Definitely do your research... and don't give up on WLS.

[BabySpoons 632]

1 hour ago, losinglosinglosing said:

Ozempic might wind up being as expensive as WLS

I agree. Even if your insurance partially covers it. You have to continue it for life so in the long run.... more expensive.

16 hours ago, stevechavez505 said:

found out my insurance only covers 80% and I have to pay 20% that would be 5,800 out of pocket !

Find out what your out-of-pocket spending limit is for the year. Mine is $4200 meaning when I have paid that amount towards deductables and co-pays, all the rest of the bills are covered 100% for the rest of the year. Don't figure your share of the bill as 20% of the total cost of surgery. Unless your insurance doesn't have a yearly limit. I think most do.

All my bills collectively with pre-op testing came to over 80K. At 20% I would have had to pay 16K without a yearly spending limit. I also have a high deductible HSA account so your out of pocket could be even lower than my 4200. Unless $5800 is your limit?

Another option if your part of the bill is too much at once is a CareCredit card. If your doctor participates, it will finance medical bills at 0% interest for 1-2 years. I have used this in the past for elective surgeries like Lasik eye surgery. Also many healthcare facilities will let you set up payment plans with no interest as well. It's worth checking out. Good luck!!

Edited June 6, 2023 by BabySpoons

[HealthyT 5]

Summer seeker, what type of surgery did you have?

[summerseeker 2,399]

5 hours ago, HealthyT said:

Summer seeker, what type of surgery did you have?

I had a sleeve

[KathyLev 286]

I had the sleeve ...cost $57,000 . I have Medicare and United health care. Everything was paid for except the dietician appointments.