layed up for a while

Hello Everyone Thanks for the support. 19 years ago I fell and fractured my ankle and had to have screws and plates in my ankle. Well thursday my Dr. said they need to come out all 9 screws and plate. So I had the surgery and now Im in pain and can't walk. I have to rely on my husband and son to get around. So I have to wait until my Dr. Ok's me While I was layed up at home A nurse from US Bariatric Celebration called me for an assessment. She sent me a list of test and things I need to do before I can get a surgery date. Psychological Evaluation Dr. Ferguson, H. Pylori Blood test, Clearance letter from my (PCP), EKG Strip, ChestXray,General blood and Lab work. The Dr. who will be doing the surgery is Dr.Marema. Do anyone know anything about him They also sent me apre-operative diet. I attended a session in August at the Celebratoin Center. I have to call my insurance company. I was informed that I would have to pay $4000 out of pocket. Any advice.

Can't answer the question about the surgeon, however, in response to the $4000 out of pocket, you can do two things. Check with the hospital to see if they expect payment prior to the surgery, after and if they accept payments. Second, you can finance the $4000 through Citi Bank or Care Credit. Both companies provide financing for weight loss surgery. Good Luck!!!!! Julie

Julie- Find out what the $4,000.00 is for! Is it a program fee that is in addition to what your insurance will pay the surgeon? Is it an advance payment that might be offset by insurance so that you would get a refund after your insurance pays? Is it a matter of the surgeon not accepting any insurance and this is his fee? If it is a program fee -- find out exactly what it covers. I personally have a problem with a lot of these "program fees". Some surgeons charge fees such as this that are quite high. You are paying for services in advance -- and who knows if you will ever use any of them. You could find out the day after surgery you are moving to Timbuktu. It is another matter entirely when the fee is a little more reasonable. But if the surgeon accepts your insurance -- he has agreed to accept what they pay for the surgery (minus your co-pay). You can look for another surgeon that does not charge any upfront fees. Surgeons are out there that will do this. My surgeon in Omaha did not charge anything up-front and accepted what my insurance paid as final payment. Red

Hello, I'm not totally sure what the $4000 is for. But with Dr Marema & I think he works w/ Dr Kim in Celebration, they have a "Program Fee", I'm not sure the exact cost, I think $300 or $400 but with all the things needed before surgery, like you had to go to there psyc. which was $400 & some kind of other testing, it would cost almost $1000 before the surgery even started. I had no issues with these DR's or his staff, I just couldnt afford the start up fee.