New to this

Christina, I had surgery at St. John's in Springfield on 12/26. My surgeon's office collected $1810.00 from me before surgery, said they had talked to my insurance and that was what I owed. I got the after insurance bill from the Anesthesiologist and it is $256.00 and I haven't heard from the hospital. I also had to go to a supervised diet, exercise and nutritionist and exercise physiologist program for six months before I could have surgery and that cost me quite a bit, like maybe $500 or so. So, basically, I think I will spend about $2500.00 for the surgery. However, I no longer have Type II diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol med, a reduction of seven pills a day. Also am fighting Rheumatoid Arthritis and it has been much better since surgery. I have lost 45 pounds, 27 before surgery and 18 after. My BMI is low, sounds like yours might be too. I really had to be compliant with my insurance company's restrictions because they have all the power and because of my co-morbidities they did approve me. Hope this helps. Lana

Hey, everyone!! Thanks for all the great advise, I really do appreciate it. At the moment I do also have medicaid, until my fiance and I get married then I will be added onto his insurance. I am not sure if the medicaid even covers it, that part i have not found out as of yet, but if not I am pretty positive his will cover the surgery. Anyone else know about what they have paid out of pocket for the surgery? And Im sorry I dont remember *****plied about getting the surgery in Columbia, but that would also be where I would more than likely get the surgery done at beings I am only about 40 mins away. Well, thanks to everyone again for replying to my post. Hope to talk to all of you again soon!!! :-D

Hi Christina, I'm from the Fulton area, so I'm familiar with your area too. I wanted to mention that Dr. Da Le Torra also practices at the Med Center. I'm seeing Dr. James Pitt at the Boone Hospital, Wellaware WLS program. I do know that at the Boone Hospital, the cash price for surgery is around $15,000 for GB and $11,000 for lapband. I don't know anything about universities program costs.

.. Hi, hows it going tina? well, I actally called today and found out my insurance will cover the entire cost of he surgery however, boone does not except my insurance, so i do have to go to university, but that is okay because there are a few diff. dr.s there that I had in mind anyways. I go to a seminar on Tuesday night, so im excited!!! Keep in touch, let me now how things go ok?