Traveling to heal......Please Share..............

I am from Dodge City, KS, and traveled 5.5 hours to visit with the doctors in Shawnee Mission. I am a self-pay and was delited that they had a self-pay person on the panel. I am very pleased with the answers I got for my questions at the meeting. I'm just trying to work out how I will do this travel thing. The nurse told me that it might be a good idea to stay in the Kansas City area for a week, before my first check-up. Now how can I do that? My husband keeps telling me that it will work out, but I feel like I am costing my family enough already, and this is going to just climb the cost up. I do have family in Wichita, so he was thinking we could make it to Wichita and rest there for a wee****ep thinking that all I am going to want is my bed and that first week is going to be hell without it, but I don't know what to do. If anyone has ANY ideas on how to solve this please email or post here. Thanks, Dodge City Traveler

Greetings to you Now don't you worry bout a thing.. the first week is a wee bit rough, to say the least.. I live in El Dorado and had the surgery in Topeka and once released from the hospital went back to El Dorado.. the drive was not as bad as I had thought ( an hour and a half) and the first week went well.. do believe you would be happier being in Wichita, a bit closer to your surgery location.. Easier to get help, if needed. So yes, I would consider staying with family there if that is feasible.. Do know of others that have traveled a long distance after the surgery tho.. but would not do it myself.. So now that is a decision you will have to make.. What do you feel comfortable with? Best wishes to you on this wonderful journey.. Keep in touch and let us all know how you are doing.. Welcome Welcome. Hugs to you, Fran

Fran, Thanks for your words of encouragement. My husband and I were talking just now, and my relative all have guest bedrooms and comfortable homes, but all of them are bi-levels. Will I be able to walk a flight of stairs? He agrees with you, that we should stay were good doctors are close by. I am willing to, but still don't want to be puking blood in a strangers home. Also, you know how family gives advise when none is asked for? Well, take that a multiply it by 20 to get my family. They love me, but I don't want to hear their thoughts or judgements on my decision. I am 42yrs old, and I am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired and I'm also sick of my obsession with food. My husband is 54 and has never struggled with weight but is very understanding, and believes its time for me, since I did look into this seven years ago. It's not like I jumped into it. I wish we could find a place that was as comfortable as a home for only $80 a night in Shawnee, but that's the Dodge City talking. I'm to sheltered out here in the sticks. I guess if I can take stairs I'll survive. Thanks for all you help, and if you have more ideas, or even if you want to think on this, please email whenever you get a chance. Thanks, World traveler from Dodge City Hee! Hee!

Frances, I am orginally from Kansas, Cimarron to be exact and I was just checking on ya'll Kansans' and saw this post. I live in a town home (upstairs/downstairs) One of the I had to do while i was in the hospital was climb stairs to be able to go home. I don't know if that is what they will do for you. I was scared at first about climbing the stairs but i could do it with no problem. Yeah a little slow but it got better at a time. Marti

Hi there, Traveler Hope everything turns out well for you. May I ask you a question? where at in Shawnee Mission are you seeking your surgery? I have been looking for ways to self-pay and I must say, hearing what your quote was really brightened my day. lol I had a quote from Dr Udohbi's office for $45,000. Have a great day! Heather

Dr. Hoehn at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. All you have to do i**** Bariatric Surgeons on this web site to find him. Your quote of $45,000.00 is high for a self pay. That is more the price that your insurance is asked to cover. However, insurance's have automatic write offs. If your set on that surgeon I would ask about that price. I checked into this surgery seven years ago and it was $25,000.00 in Colorado Springs. Your price is really high. I am impressed with what I have seen from this Hospital. Good luck on your quest. Thanks, Wanting to be thin from Dodge City

I'm in Wichita and have had the best experience with the program here. Not sure what the self pay cost would be but Dr. Early does the evaluations and the surgeons are Dr. Lewis Porter and Dr. Jonathan Dort. I'd call their office direct and see if maybe Wichita wouldn't be the answer for you. Your family is here and I know that within a couple of days you'd be ready to get back to Dodge. Call or drop me a note if you hae any questions.