Just joined. Hello everybody!

I'm going to a seminar Tuesday evening with Dr. Baker to find out more about the Lap-Band procedure. I can't wait!

My question to you is how much did you pay for the surgery (all different doctors and hospital bills combined)? I'm on Medicare. I hope they don't make me jump through hoops to get approved.

I look forward to getting to know you all.

Hello! Welcome to the board.... My name is Courtney Coleman, DR. Baker was my surgeon. I had the Gastric Bypass RNY on March 9th and am doing very well ....We have a lot of fun on here, and we also learn a lot from eachother and support eachother throughout our journeys.. I LOVED Dr. Baker. he is the best surgeon you could ask for!!!
I myself can't relate to you on the medicare. I had Blue Cross Blue Shield. I had to jump through a few hoops before I got my consult with Dr. Baker, and my surgery scheduled. Like the seminar,support group meeting,conference call, and  all the labs and paperwork.... My insurance I was lucky enough to have them approve me the first time, and pay for my surgery... I had sleeep apnea, joint problems, and breathing problems.... I was only 19 and was costing them a fortune in medical bills so I was very blessed to have them approve me for surgery.  I was going to do the lapband, however, I live 200 miles away from Dr. Baker, and didn't want to have to drive all that way for  my fills.... So I opted for Gastric Bypass.... If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask me, and I will do my best to answer them for you.. Have a great week, and I am very happy to have met you!!!1 

Hello there and welcome to the family. Grab and chair and sit down on the front porch. Hang on let me get you a glass of ice cold lemonade. You just make yourself at home. You will find lots of valuable information, support, understanding,and a little bit of craziness with this group. My youngest daughter and I had our surgery together and we have Tri-Care prime, but my oldest daughter has medicare and I know there are certain requirements that must be met. Lauren  knows about how many hoops you have to jump through for approval. She gave my daughter lots of information about medicare. There is a monthly support group meeting Lauren is usually there. Anywho I wish you much success and I will see you on the losers bench real soon.

Dr Baker's office staff will be at the seminar and will be able to explain all of the insurance ins and outs, including Medicare.

I guess we'll see you next month at the support group meeting. Just one of those things on your list of "things to do".

Karen,
I had lap RNY w/Dr. Baker in Feb 07.  I had medicare and they paid for all of my surgery.  All mine cost me was the cost of the shakes at his office.  They do require alot, but you said you had gotten the list.
Hang in there, it is worth every step of the way regardless of what kind of surgery you have.  If you have any questions, that is what we are here for, and dont be shy, we talk about it all.

Welcome aboard,
Rhonda D.

Hi Karin....im Karen also! LOL...i just spell my name with an "e" insted of an "i". Anyway, congratulations on your decision to have weight loss surgery! Gish, honestly it was the best thing I have done in my life so far! I also had Lap-Band and I have lost right at 200 lbs. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

  Karen

Hi, I had surgery 15 Aug 2007 with Dr Baker.  I have Medicare and the Medicaid QMB program (it's a program for Medicare patients who need help paying for their deductables/premiums).  I had NO cost out of pocket whatsoever for the surgery or hospital stay.  Neither did I pay for any of the dr visits.  The only thing I had to pay was for the 4 weeks of HMR Shakes for the pre-surgery liquid diet, most only have to do 2 weeks, but because I was 400 lbs he required me to do 4 weeks.  I paid just over $100 (I think it was $119).   Insurances do not pay for that at all, so be prepared when you see him.  

If you do everything that  is required, have all the pre-requirements done, all labs drawn as Dr Baker asks for, and do all the paperwork and turn it in on time, then you shouldn't have any troubles or any loops to jump through. 

When you get the packet from Dr. Baker, that has everything you need to know, it will list what all he and Medicare requires in order for Medicare to pay for the surgery. 

Welcome to the board neighbor!!!