Where to get surgery

I'm so confused. My process in getting all this done was a bit backwards. I already have my approval from Federal BCBS for surgery. I went through Via Christi's Solutions for Life to get my approval. I have not started my classes yet. I have done my physical and EKG. I am a bit put off by the long list of charges Solutions for Life has before you ever even get to see if you are approved for surgery on their end. I looked into Liv-Lite but am put off by the fact that they only do OPEN RNY. I was really hoping to go with Lap RNY. My mom had Lap RNY years ago. I've been with her through it for this whole time. I don't feel the need to go through the Solutions for Life eating classes and blah blah that goes along with using them. I'm in Wichita. Other than going through Solutions for Life does anyone know who/where I can get Lap RNY done without paying the $2000+ for Solutions for Life? Thanks for any input!

Wow that sucks. Have you tried Tallgrass in topeka ks? i know they have you go through their support group meeting first before they really do anything. That's where you fill out the paperwork and your contact information as well. I'm going on May 12. It's at the st.francis hosptial from 10-12. I was going through Liv Lite in Junction but my insurance denied me. So we had to appeal. Well ever since we found out i had to appeal, getting ahold of liv lite has been impossible. I call and leave messages, send emails with nothing. It's almost as if as soon as they found out i was denied they dropped you to the side of the road. And it wasnt fair, cuz all i have to do is appeal. Well i told my dr, who is in the same hospital in jc, and he got very pissed off because i was the 4th person to complain to him about livlite. I guess ever since they brought in new people they put on a front of how they "care" but really dont. So now he referred me to tallgrass. Ive already been to a support group meeting at tallgrass months ago and wasnt that impressed, but ima give it another try. When i went to the meeting before it wasnt for me...now it will be. I've already been in contact with them to have all my medical records and psych eval from liv lite sent to tallgrass. At least after appealing i'll have my final answer. I think ive noticed with some surgical places they know you're probably deserpate to have this surgery that they'll do anything to milk as much money from you they can. Livlite started out good but now im completely dissapointed with them and probably wouldnt refer them to anyone. Good luck and keep me updated. Trish

To be perfectly honest with you, Solutions for Life is not as bad as you may think it is. I have been through the classes and paid my fees. I am currently scheduled to have surgery in June. It is much more then just a eating class. It actually gets your prepared for what new life you are about to take. I was in the same spot you are in when I thought about Solutions for Life, however, since I have been through it, I am glad I did. Some of the stuff your insurance will pay for so the cost is not as much as you think it is. My insurance has paid for all my office visits and nutr. and phys counseling. The Solutions for Life group is there to help you get through this surgery from the start to the end. I know the cost is crazy but I actually believe it is well worth it now. I took me more then 2000.00 to get where I am now so it is well worth the money to get where I want to be. If you have any questions please let me know. I do understand where you are coming from.

$2000?! That's nuts. Tallgrass in Topeka is a great place with excellent doctors. You must attend a seminar to get an appointment but that's true for almost all surgeons. The seminar is free. There are pre-op and post-op support groups too that are also free. The training is mostly watching a film called Emi. It's online and it's free. They do strongly recommend a book about the surgery written by someone who had it. I bought the book and it was full of useful information. Cost about $14 I think. I didn't have surgery there because Medicare changed the rules in the middle of things to where you have to go to a center of excellence if you want them to pay. Now they're a center of excellence too. My wife had her surgery done there by Dr. Dunshee. I had my gallbladder removed about 4 weeks ago by Dr. Berntsen. She's great. So is Dr Dunshee.

Call office of Dr. Jese Lopez in Leawood, Ks. He might know someone by you. I refused to go to something like that. I love this doctor and staff. I am doing great.