$2,000.00 "EXERCISE" FEE

Hi all. It has been quite a while since I have been on here- hope and prayers going out to all of you. I am posting today to see if anyone has any ideas on finding a RNY surgeon (besides surgeons at Akron City Hospital) that takes Caresource. I really like Dr. Z.. but I CANNOT afford- and feel that I shouldn't have to pay that kind of money to exercise at their facility. Am I being daft?!?! I am not trying to be a pain in the butt, I just get so frustrated- I have not heard of any other place offering surgery and then forcing you to cough up that kind of money to work out where they say. I have been told by the office that they charge that because insurance won't cover a pre and post surgical exercise program. Does this sound fair to anyone? Has anyone else dealing with another dr./ hospital been told that they have to exercise where they tell you to and to fork out money for it? I currently go to the YMCA 2 minutes from my home, they have a program there that can help people like me who is low income and can't afford the regular fee (Gateway program), so it is not like I am sitting on my behind all day-- why can't they use that instead of making me come out of my way to exercise where they tell me to. I work in the cafeteria at the local school district as a sub and only work 3-15 hours a week- #1 because I physically can stand no longer than that on my feet and #2 because it allows me to have the same hours and days as my son- when he gets a school day off, so do I and this helps tremendously with not having to worry about him at home alone for hours at a time. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions they would be GREATLY appreciated! Jen

Jen I know they had a $1,720 fee for there program when you start. I first started at there facility then Medicare decided they were not covered to do the surgery, so I had to find a new hospital. So I was told about an excellent program at St. Vincent Charity Hospital in Cleveland, so after checking the program out I went there they are AWSOME. I had my surgery May 31 i'm 13 days post-op and have lost 28 pounds. St. V's also known as the Cleveland Center for Bariatric Surgery charges a $250.00 program fee but they handle all the insurance approval plus that fee give you and exclusive right to the members only page of there website plus there closet clothes exchange. The $250 was well worth it they did GREAT for me, if you have any questions email me. St. V's website is svch.net if ya want to check them out. My surgeon was Dr. Schreiber the head of the program. Jim

Hi Jim, Thanks for the info... already checked them out when my insurance changed last year -- the hospital was covered, but none of the surgeons accepted it... it has been very frustrating...sigh... My best friend had GBS about 4 years ago, she went to St. vincents as well and if I remember correctly, had Dr. Schreiber as her surgeon as well and because she liked him and was impressed with all of it- she wanted me to check them out as well and see if I could have the surgery there instead. No such luck! Jen

Try Dr Stelatto at university hospital of cleveland there is no program fee like at St Vincents. Pattie

Jen, I am doing the same research you are at this time, except I am looking for Lap-Band. Facilities I have looked at - Summa, Akron General (both have high "program fees"), St. Vincent's as mentioned above, and the Cleveland Clinic. I have ruled out Chlysta at Akron General - program fee is $2000. and I could not get a clear answer as to what that covers. I am meeting with Dr. Zografakis from Summa next week. I want more information about the program. I was told in a phone conversation that $120. of the program fee was for the nutritionist fees (before and after surgery), and another $100. was for the exercise consultant. The balance was for administrative work and after care. I will know more of the exact breakdown after my appointment. If Dr. Z does not "fit" with me for any reason, I am heading to Cleveland Clinic. Right now one of the ads on the right is for Cleveland Clinic, you can click it and go straight to there website. I'll let you know what I decide. Shari

I only had to pay out $ 250 at St. Vincents ("program fee")... I really did not think it was that high

First, I think requiring you to exercise at their facility and charging you $2,000 to do so is riduculous. Requiring you to exercise is one thing, but it's unreasonable to require that you do it at their facility. Second, does the Cleveland Clinic accept your insurance? There are two great surgeons there - Dr. Schauer and Dr. Chand - that both do bariatric surgery. I used Dr. Schauer - he's done more than 4,000 lap RNY procedures. Good luck with your journey! Kellie

sounds like a "kick back" to me! I went through OSU and didn't have to pay anything except $100 for the dietician counseling prior to surgery. I belong to the Y and enjoy it so much. I expecially like the pool as it doen't contribut to any pain in the joints etc... Mel