I have HMSA HMO too!!! My pcp is Dr. Nakamura at the Kuakini hospital clinic. He is refering me to Queens hospital (if everything goes as planned). If your like me, tight on budget, i would look for alternatives on island. Island in my opinion will always be cheaper. But if you got the money, San Fran seems like a excellent alternative to get off the rock!!!! Ooh Thank you for letting me know what HMSA is going to cover for. If you got any new additional information please let me know....in fact we can be HMSA buddies!!!! lmao!!!!

Thanks Asia!  When are the meetings again?  I'd love to come and maybe I can coordinate my appointments with Dr. Fowler with the support group.

Good job Nicole hope to meet you one day at the monthly support group meetings.

Aloha,
Asia

I saw Dr. Fowler at Castle.  One was financial I couldn't afford the $4500 surgeon fee and HMSA at the time wouldn't cover surgery outside of Hawaii.  I don't know about now.  Dr. C was my first choice but I am very pleased with Dr. Fowler and his staff.  I love the monthly support group meetings and the weekly exercise classes if you chose to go to them.  Dr. Fowler's surgeon fees is only $600.00 which I could afford.  For me the surgery was $1900 and that covered the hospital stay and anything else.  It all depends on your coverage.  I would call your HMSA rep and find out what your coverage covers.

Aloha,
Asia

Just out of curiousity....Hows your extra skin issues??? What is your start weight, end weight, and how bad is your skin issues? double chin gone??? Just curious because i read a post stating two points....rny is the best covered sugery with results....and 2) lapband is best for avoiding all those extra skin!!!! Over all, like someone wrote to me, "I will take the extra skin anyday, over being overweight"......couldnt have said it better!!!! So how is your skin issues??!!!???