DESPERATE, Please Help

Nana,

Dr. Teng's office has heard everything I put on here. My ex cancelled my insurance which left me with a $1650.00 bill with the Dr. Since it has been 3 yrs they won't even speak to me. Its not about a payment arrangement as that would take me months to pay off but the fact they won't even give me that option.

My kids do not have cable and we use fans not an AC. My income is pathetic and not "secure" enough as I am paying rent for the past 3 months when I was unemployed. This is my 2nd week working. Trust me if I could afford to pay my debts nothing would give me more pleasure. Last Friday Legal Services granted me a pro-bono divorce. I am taking that ******* for everything he owes me and asking for alimony etc.

I know this sounds like excuses to many of you. Trust me, posting here was my last resort after trying everything I could possibly think of. I feel like I am being so irresponsible over my health but I can't have my kids homeless every dime is going towards preventing that. And like me, people want to be paid for their work so really, I can't blame the Dr. office its not personal it's business. I know emergency rooms are required to care for you regardless of ability to pay, but what is their ability to care for a lap-band complication?

 You can call around different hospitals and ask them if they can unfill a lap band, and tell them it's urgent. I am sure they will be able to unfill you and give you an Upper GI to make sure it has not slipped, and they should bill you, if you can't pay upfront.  

Good luck

Since you're not legally divorced...Can your ex cancel your coverage like that ?  Wouldn't his employer face some serious fines/penalty's ? You should call his employer and ask about this.

Go to an ER...make them give you an unfill.  If you can't even keep liquids down, there might be something more going on then just being too tight!! 

Tooty, unfortunately all ERs don't know how to deal with a band or know how to unfill a band properly, but I do agree she needs an unfill ASAP.

But she can ask her surgeon's office or call all the nearest hospitals to see if they know how to unfill a lap band port, all ports are not the same, I am sure she wants to use her band again without having it damaged.

Not all ERs will touch a lap-band. 

I'm so sorry you're going through this, Tiffany.

Have you checked with Dr. Baptista, by any chance? :
http://www.jaxsurgical.com/bariatric-surgeon-florida.html

He was part of the practice in Chicago when I had to find a different surgeon to help me when I had life threatening complications with my band. They were more than willing to take me on as a patient in spite of all my complications. And he's one of the most compassionate and caring people I've ever met, too.

I hope you can get some help and get this under control. The lapband can be very, very damaging and I'm horribly concerned for you.

Take care,
Nicci

Just curious but who is this person...if one of you could cut and paste and reply to her on my behalf, that would be great..

Michelle J. IL Brad Watkins Lap Band (09/04/07) Member Since: 09/17/03 [Latest Posts]

Post Date: 5/2/11 9:59 am Oh Tiffany.  I am so sorry you are in this situation.  I thought I had it bad relocating and being a self pay band patient, but your situation tops mine for sure. Have you looked into going further than Jacksonville for a surgeon?  Maybe expand your search a bit and you might find a bariatric group that will take you on.  Have you looked at www.lapband.com yet? I can only imagine how tight $ is for you, but the reflux you are describing is a big problem.  Please have it addressed sooner rather than later. Every blade of grass has its Angel that bends over it and whispers, "Grow, grow." -The Talmud

Who are you and why do you have me blocked???  I don't recall ever seeing you on OH before. 

michelle has been around for quite a while.

I see that, but don't know why she has me blocked...just curious.