Hi everyone, I have been reading posts for a while, and decided since my pre-op day is scheduled and I'm nervous...that I needed to interact for support. Has anyone else had a full day of pre-op preparation? I know there will be lab work, xrays, EKG, consult w/ the surgeon....but what else? Also...anyone else out there a self pay?

Hi, and welcome to LBT. I think you'll find a lot of information here, that will help settle your nerves. My pre-op appointment started at around 9:00 and I was finished at 2:30. I had basically the same tests that your doctor requires. I also had to pay for my surgery that morning. I'm self-pay.

ahh...I think that is a questions that has not come up....WHEN to pay. Did you pay 100% of it that day? If you would rather not say, I understand...but could you share what your costs were?

Hi everyone, I have been reading posts for a while, and decided since my pre-op day is scheduled and I'm nervous...that I needed to interact for support. Has anyone else had a full day of pre-op preparation? I know there will be lab work, xrays, EKG, consult w/ the surgeon....but what else? Also...anyone else out there a self pay?

Yes..absolutely self pay, $18,500. I was still getting bills in 3 months after the event, HOWEVER..saying that..your health is worth any amount of money. I know if you don't have it, you don't have it, but my surgeon had some very attractive finance plans. Besides, I save enough now by not eating fast foods! :lovechoc:

Yes, I had an entire day of pre-op, it was a week before the surgery. But, that is good to make sure that everything is hunky dory beforehand.

I know you are nervous, but I can say it was one of the best things I have ever done. I feel better (even though I am 55) than I have in many many years. I go to the gym 3 times a week and I have even started running. OMG..I never imagined!!

Take care and GOOD LUCK, but you are absolutely making the right decision!!! D>

ahh...I think that is a questions that has not come up....WHEN to pay. Did you pay 100% of it that day? If you would rather not say, I understand...but could you share what your costs were?

I don't mind that question at all.

I was required to pay in full that morning, $13,500 :lovechoc:.

Yes my preop stuff took FOREVER !!! I felt like a chubby little lab rat being led around by the promise of cheese or something.

I had blood drawn (5 vials) I had an upper GI series (barium swallow and they watch it go down...tastes icky but doesn't hurt at all), a meet with a nurse to tell me what to do preop (bathe with a special cleanser, take polish off my toenails...WAH! etc ) I also had an abdominal ultrasound that didn't hurt but was weird because I'm not used to being mashed all over my torso. OH and a chest x-ray (my favorite of the bunch really didn't hurt and took about 2 minutes)

None of it was bad, just time consuming. Take something to occupy you in between appointments (a book, knitting, whatever) take your patience, and take a bottle of water for when they finally tell you you can drink (for me it was after the blood and barium)

It doesn't hurt, it's just mostly boring waiting.