Hi all,

I had to cancel my surgery due to financial reasons. 

Needless to say, I am extremely dissappointed. 

I was told that the Optifast shakes were part of the program and they were not.  Then I Kevin told me to check with my insurance company about pre-admissions deductables and I was told by Oxford that the deductable was $500!

Then, St. Vincent's would not work with me on a payment plan for the deductable so I had to cancel the surgery. 

Anyway, after my freak out, I called Nancy the nutritionist and she said she can work with me and design a diet to fit my sedentary life style.  My PCP did a referral to her and put that I need to lose weight due to hypertension issues so the insurance will cover it.  I will only have to pay the deductable for each visit.  So I am going to try my hardest to follow the diet plan she gives me and see if I can lose weight that way.

I am going to update my blog and probably vent so this post won't be too long.  I will also continue to update my blog while I try the diet.  If it doesn't work out, when I get my tax check next year I will start the process again for the surgery.  This time I will know what money I need to have to get the surgery.

Please keep in touch and let me know how you are all doing...I may still be getting the surgery...just not now.  ...Katie

Hang in there...
the path we find before us... each of us...
may not be what we had planned, but is what is it...
I had to postpone my surgery as well...
and saw Nancy during that waiting time.
She will guide you well.
She has been successful with others in your situation...
She will be a good support system.

Will send you a personal email.
Look for it.

You are adapting well.
Bravo.
T.

I would definately keep all your paperwork in order with the doctor's office...so if need be...you don't have to start all over...

this surgery gave me my life back...I was on 14 different medications at various times during the day just 13 months ago..I now take two ...and the small dosages prescribed....the insurance company is saving money on me every day..because of the surgery! 

I also have Oxford....and my employer intentionally switched because Connecticare would not cover the surgery!  I don't get insurance...

but...good luck with the nutritionist....I know you have the strenght to get the job done!

Can you take a short term loan for the 500 bucks? 

I'd say charge it on VISA if you had to.  500 is a small amount.  I've known people to take a medical loan for the entire surgery cost.

Ask a friend or family member to loan it to you...

Get a part time job to get the money. 

Don't know if you're a spiritual person or not, but pray and lift this entire situation up to your higher power and let him/her take care of it...as soon as you let it out of your hands, something will come up, it usually does! 

I like to imagine putting my worry/situation into a basket that has balloons tied to it, I ask God to take over the situation because I have no control over it, I then imagine putting the worry into the basket, send it up to the sky and let it go.  When I let it go and out of my hands, a solution usually comes to me.

Don't let this go over a small amount of money.  You can always have the surgery, get billed for the 500 and then once you get the bill, call the billing dept and then arrange for a payment plan.  I've had to do this after I've gotten a bill. 

There has to be a way around this for just 500 bucks.  Heck, if I was rich, I'd give it to you!  I wish there was a place for RNY'ers to go for help in these matters.  Like the "walk from obesity" people that raise so much money each year, but that's for research, I think.

Hang in there...there is a way through this...You've just got to calm down, take a deep breath, and think of the options...I'd say do the surgery, get billed for it, and deal with the bill after..but don't tell anyone I told you to do this!!!!!

Paula

I think you can buy the opti fast shakes online...maybe they'll be cheaper for you...

Maybe a different shake other than the Opti-fast, like from GNC??

I'm racking my brain here trying to think of ways for you...there's got to be a way.

paula