Dinner B4 ECL Seminar Tomorrow?

Anyone up for it? I don't know what is off that exit or near the conference center, but I am sure we can locate something!
Susan

I'm cancelling. I think I'm frustrated with the insurance stipulations and kinda depressed... 
 

I really want the DS, and I really don't want to travel out of state. It would be just depressing going to the seminar knowing what they are offering is not what I really want.

Do you think you'll make it to next month's meet n greet? I'd love to meet you?

I am so sorry! Insurance is a wonderful thing, but it is also so frustrating to work with them when they don't seem to want to work with us for our best interests.

I am going to try to make the next meet and greet...depending upon when and where. I have a full schedule already and I will be gone for a week taking some of my students to the Inaguration. So, we will see. I really want to!

LaShelle,
I just checkedd the date and I can't do the meet and greet in January. I will be coming back hom from DC that day. We won't get back into town until really late. Maybe February!

ok,  how was the seminar. Learn anything new? How does their program work?

I was a little frustrated last night about them charging $600 for their nutritionsist vists and support group, but I have found that many of them charge for something.  I was impressed with their stats...less than 1% death rate and very good success rate. I also really liked the nutritionist. I like the fact that they are a research institute and seem to have a lot of support before and after for patients. They have all the people insurance requires you to meet with on staff, like the dieticians, psychiatrists...so they seem to all work together,  At first, I wasn't thrilled, but after a lot of thought and research, I think it still may be the way to go.

Does the $600 include the support group or is that extra? If not, you're looking at a little over $800-900. Assuming you'll want to use their support group. Will your insurance cover any of it?

$600 isn't so bad for the program fee if it includes all you pre-op testing, nutritionist, psych, etc.

The fee for Dr Smith was $400. I don't think that included testing. It was just "administrative" costs, like copies, phone calls, etc. it's not covered by insurance!!!

I don't remember Atl Med Ctr mentioning any program fee which would be a plus for me except they don't do the DS.

The doctor I want to use in Charlotte charges $1300!!!! It includes all the pre-op testing unless something extra like an EKG is needed. The thing that sucks about the pre-op "package rate" is that you can't use your insurance. I could get the nutritionist and psych covered by insurance, but they insist you only use their people. I think it also covers support group, but I won't be able to drive there for the meetings anyway.

I think I will be able to use my flex spending account though. Now I'm wishing I would have done more than the $100 per month. That'll be gone before I know it.

The main thing is to get a surgeon and hospital you are comfortable and happy with. You are the only person that can decide what is right for you. If you are happy and comfy, then that's priceless. Money is just an afterthought.

It is just  nutritionist and support group.