I Have Some Good News and Some Bad News

Bad news is that I was laid off work (with about 15 other people) today and my benefits continue until Nov 30th and then I have the COBRA option. Bad news is if I want to continue with Independent Health via COBRA after Nov 30th I have to pay $285.76 a month.

Good news is I got a call fron Synergy to schedule my consultation.  Bad news is that I can't see Dr. Viglianco until Dec 2nd.  If I decided to go for the open RNY with Dr. Caruana I could see him on Nov 20th.

Is it worth the extra week wait for the lap RNY???  or Am I over-thinking a weeks wait???

Also, would being on COBRA prohibit me from getting surgery?

Advice PLEASE!!!!

If it is only a week I would wait and see Dr. V. I knew that I wanted open and so I went right for Dr. Caruana, but Doc V does both, and if you are not sure then he will be able to advise you. In the end, that one week won't make that big of a difference, the time line would probably be pretty much the same anyway. And you know how impatient I am, but don't do something that you are not sure about just to push up your appointment. So sorry to hear that you were laid off, at least you have the COBRA option, right? I'll be thinking of you,  keep me posted. Take care and best of luck!

Hi--sometimes COBRA is different just call your HR dept and check to see if any of the benefits are different--probably not so good luck.  I had Dr. V and was supposed to have it lap but had complcations cus of my insides being short and twisted--he had to do a 5 hours surgery on me and did a great job.  You will love his office staff it they are all wonderful!

Having COBRA does not change your coverage. You have the same exact coverage. You just pay for th entire expense out of your pocket. Just read everything before you sign it to make sure they do not reduce your coverage.

Godd Luck........

Wow I got my COBRA papers in the mail and ended up going with hubbys really cruddy MVP plan thru the union. My COBRA was 935 a month!?! ouch. The good news was that my Dr is covered under MVP so my 6 mo followup will be covered since I have had continous coverage.

Gastric bypass surgety costs around $25,000 (if no complications). From my understanding COBRA continues current benefits, Your mileage may vary so callyour HR dept to find out!

Now we are talking a consult right? Have yu done all the other things to get a date after this consult or is this the beginning step? (programs vary so I ask)...Usually there typically is a 4-6 week wait for OR date after final consult (if all other preop requirements completed like psych eval, H&P, sleep test if needed US gallbladder, labs, perhaps endocrine or cardiology work up etc)..so either surgeon will require paying CObra to get to surgery, perhaps one a few months more than other..BUT postop can be expensive so will need healthcare then as well...esp if a complication arises that $285 will seem like a drop in bucket compared to potential thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars. (Not to say you will have a complication but one can not predict this).... GO with what is right for you, i did lap happy so, it is more for me the surgeon to be trusting in! ANylap surgeon can do open as if issue arises if you wanted lap you sign for open anyways.........less hernia risk, less wound infection risk with lap...