Coming from out of state to see Dr. Chae any advice?

Hello Colorado. I'm coming from Wyoming to see Dr. Chae. I am trying for financing because I don't have insurance. I was wondering though if anyone could tell me a little bit about Dr. Chae and his team. And about how long everything takes from the first visit until the surgery... Thanks a bunch.  Frankie Larkey

Hi Frankie -  My first consultation with Dr. Chae was mid-November and I had surgery December 17.  I, too, was self-pay so there were no insurance hoops to jump through - though I chose to have extra blood tests and meet with a therapist. Dr. Chae is awesome.  There was no pressure, we felt comfortable asking all the questions we had.  The after care has been wonderful.  Dr. Chae gives you his personal cell phone number and everytime I've called, he either answers or calls back immediately.  He told me the only time there may be a time delay is when he's in surgery.  He even sleeps with it!!! I love Kellie, the nutritionist.  Very knowledgable and understanding.  I just do what she and Dr. Chae tell me to do and I'm doing great! If I had a family member thinking about surgery, there is NO ONE else I would even consider sending them to.  I 'interviewed' other doctors before seeing Dr. Chae and I'm thrilled with my decision. Good luck! Jana

Dear Jana, Can you tell me about how much the whole thing beside the blood work cost? Like the surgery, the anestesiologist the hospital... Just a ball park figure. I've got to get started on the financing end of it, so I need to know roughly what to ask Capital One for lol. I'm hoping they'll come through. I've been wanting this for so danged long. Thanks for gettin back to me so quickly. Hugs, Frankie

Absolutely....the hospital (SkyRidge) was $18,500, Dr. Chae was $5,000 - anestesiologist (I hope you spelled that right because I copied you!) came to about $1,300 or $1,400, then I got a bill from the surgeon's assistant for like $400; the nutrition class (long one) was $500 and everytime you see Dr. Chae post-op you'll see the nutritionist for $50. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Holy cow, They told me for this first visit that I'd only need $150 for the nutritionist. What's the long class if I might ask? lol I hope they come in under $25,000 cause that's just what I've been approved for... I'm so excited!! I sent a letter to Susie and she said she'd talk to Dr. Chae about when they could schedule surgery. So now, I'm all wound up, or as my son would say... I'm all jacked up on Mountain Dew... from some movie... lol Anyhow, thanks for info, it is much appreciated. I think I'm going to start over on my blog... just kind of tell my whole story. We'll see how it turns out.... I'm not a scholar by any means, but, I know what I have to say. Thanks Bunches You're a doll, Frankie

Frankie -  I think you're right about the $150 during the consultation.  The $500 class is a separate class held on a weekend where Kellie goes through EVERYTHING nutrition and the room is full of pre-ops for RNY and for LapBand. (There are some nutritional differnences for the two surgeries) Last time I saw Dr. Chae he told me he's doing surgeries at two different hospital now and between the two he's doing 6 - 8 surgeries a week.  I don't know the second hospital he's at. One comment about SkyRidge is that (and please remember I was there right before Christmas - short staffed, lots of people trying to get surgery in before the last of the year, etc.) is that I had to ask for certain things that I think should have been a no-brainer.  Such as I asked for bath/shower chair...they brought me a potty chair, which didn't even fit in the shower.  When I said this isn't going to work, I was told that's all they could find - well, it still isn't going to work! The nurse just shrugged like whatever....and then they didn't even move it out of the bathroom!  Then there was this nifty bariatric chair in my room - it was quite the contraption and looked like it would have been heaven to be in, propped up with pillows and feet kicked out.  Nope didn't happen....no one knew how to make it work!!  Luckily I was able to sleep in my bed, but there are quite a few right after surgery that have to sleep in a chair for awhile. I'm excited for you! I bet you'll be having surgery end of April, early May.  Keep us posted!

Hey There!! I'm glad you mentioned those things, I might get a bit *****ier than you did lol. I'm glad that the $500 class isn't a requirement though. I can get the nutrition classes up here for less. They have a bariatric surgeon here but he's more exensive. And you can answer some of my questions for me lol. Anyhow, I gotta get going. I will keep you posted!! Hugs, Frankie 

Hi Frankie, My name is Deb & I had surgery March 25th.  Dr Chae did mine, he is wonderful.  My last appointment my daughter & her twin 4 year olds were with me, he didn't even blink an eye.  He has answered every question I had,  I'd pick him again.

Hi Frankie, Hi Deb! I am also going to Dr. Chae--I will probably have my suregery over the summer. Deb, I was wondering how your recovery went? And Frankie, I love Dr.Chae too. I actually love going to his office and seeing everyone--I am jumping the insurance hoops. Unfortunately, I don't have any numbers for you. But good Luck!When are you coming down? Daniela

Hi Daniela, Hi Deb.  Thank you for your reply's. It's comforting to know that the doc I've chosen comes recommended lol. I was told last night that we qualified for financing, thank god for my husbands good credit lol, otherwise... Ya know lol... I have to get a hold of Susie and see if she remembered to try to get me scheduled. I have my first meeting with Dr. Chae on the 18th and meeting with Kellie on the 20th, then I have my psych evaluation the 24th of this month, and after that, I'm ready to go hopefully!!! My doc is all for it, she's doin blood tests and everything lol. She's doin everything but packin my bags LOL!! Anyhow, I've got to get busy answering my emails. I'll talk to you ladies later!! Hugs, Frankie