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

Expensive Program fees and WLS



Recommended Posts

Guess I can't skip the fill ... Thank-you though for the warning I will keep my eyes shut .. I was wondering how they find the prot as I can't feel it yet..

I am doing ok with the hunger.. I keep a lot of Protein in my meals and I think that helps a lot.. I also sip sip sip ... I am following the rules like they will arrest me if I don't behave ...

One more goal and that is to get through my first fill and I will be a true bander..

How are you and how are things going ?? When do you go back to Dr D?

I am crossing my fingers for you and will say a big prayer too ..

You are really brave ..

weight.png

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

LOL, AZChick..... Yes, they will "arrest" you if you don't follow the rules! I like that.

Thanks for the kind words, BTW. I'm not brave, though-- just trying to get by. I don't know for sure when I'll be going back for my next appointment. Right now I'm in the process of waiting and wondering, waiting, and wondering.... remember that part? :tongue2: I'm just wanting to get through to the next phase of my journey, whatever that may be.

Do you think you might make it to the support group on Saturday?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was originally going to go to Bridges orientation but they scared me off by telling me I needed to be on a 6 month medically supervised diet.

When I called WLIA they told me that according to BC/BS of Mass. that there was nothing stating about a 6 month medically supervised diet, (though it would be in my best interest to get to a primary care doctor and get started on a relationship with her and talk about the lap band and my goals etc) I just have to have documentation of my weight over the past 5 years. I also asked Bridges when I called when would they actually look into what was needed to be approved and they informed me they would process everything when I was done with the 6 month diet. Maybe I just need to call them again and see if I get a different answer? :ohmy:

That is what I thought about Bridges and 6 months, blah, blah.

When I finally started the process it went so quickly. Bridges did most of the paper work. I let them tell me what I needed for BCBS. Jumped through all the hoops and went to their Seminars. I was approved on the first try as Bridges had all the ducks in a row. I THOUGHT I was ready and knew all I needed to know. When I walked into St.Lukes on surgury morn, I knew I was more ready than I thought I was before the process.

I am 1 year out and and 55 pounds down. In the big picture, the getting ready is not really that long and SO important. I am glad now that I jumped through all the hoops and and have NO regrets.

Good Luck

Edited by judysue

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

EZMA,

How were the fees with Banner Gateway ? My partner and I both went today and were "CRUSHED" when we realizd our costs would be well over $5000. So we're4 postponing for 6 months till we get a few things paid down. We just relocated from MAUI so have a few debts.

any if=nfo will help:redface:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow that was an old post of mine!! So much has happened since then. I ended up getting Gastric Bypass from Dr Berger in Flagstaff on January 8 of this year and couldnt be happier. I am now down 87 pounds as of this morning!

BC/BS of Mass ended up being a breeze. Most importantly I picked the right surgery for me.

Good luck to everyone here!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

EZMA,

How were the fees with Banner Gateway ? My partner and I both went today and were "CRUSHED" when we realizd our costs would be well over $5000. So we're4 postponing for 6 months till we get a few things paid down. We just relocated from MAUI so have a few debts.

any if=nfo will help:redface:

I had NO fees with Banner Gateway... my insurance picked up everything.

Granted, I had my psych evaluation done elsewhere, and that cost me $200 (I never got around to submitting the out-of-network paperwork to my insurance, otherwise they would have covered most of that as well).

But as far as I know, Banner Gateway does not have any "program fees."

Your insurance (or you, if you're self-pay) pays for all the required tests, and the procedure (including hospital facility fees, surgeon fees, anesthesiologist fees, etc).

Their support groups are free.... and they should be able to write you a prescription for the gym... so even if your insurance won't cover it, you can write it off on your taxes as a medical expense.

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

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 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

    ×