Navigating the WLS program office

Hi sfmini,

A little confused here.

I too was told that I had to purchadse their stuff. They alsu have a very steep program fee $3200.00? Just seems like a lot of extra fees that should be included in 20k surgery. When was the last time you paid put pf pocket for the service of an OR nurse? They did offer 300.00 off as I have my own gym.


I thought their program sounded great and very personable. I have a neighbor who has had a great experience and she is 2 years out. I just cant pay those extra fees (in good conscience) that just seems like a mony maker for the doc who already receives a salary for offering surgical services.

Nanner

 My first WLS Seminar I ever went to was with Dr. Myers last year in June.  I was very impressed with him and made the decsion to have him as my surgeon.   Where it went bad was when I sat down with their financial/insurance counselor, it gave me the feeling I was trying to buy a car.  While I had 
"great insurance" for the cost of the add on fees I could have flown down to Mexico and had the surgery and still been even.  I put the decision on hold and went to a Cleveland Clinic Seminar and was impressed by how everything is contained in one center, NUT's, Psych, regular MD's and the surgeons, all in the same building within 300 feet of each other.  And most importantly no addon fees.

I have nothing against Dr. Myers, he was my first choice and he has a history of great results.  It wasn't the money at all, I was prepared to cash pay if insurance didn't cover it, to me it was the principle.

I am with you Philip,

It was a "sales job" for sure. One that I was not going to buy. Surgeons ina large community hospital such as Riverside make more than enough cash.

It would be nice to all those professionals in the same locations! I am running all over town. What would be nice is a one day stop for all those services!


Thanks for your comments!

Nanners

You are paying for Mike to be there because insurance won't cover it and he is one of the best and assists Dr Myers in every surgery. Makes it much safer since they have worked with each other for years. Plus, Mike stays involved with your after care as well. Some of the money goes for the psych consult, can't say I was that happy about that part, but I believe you can opt to go elsewhere if you wi**** was convenient though to be able to have all the testing done in one day and not being aware of other psych options, I did it. As for the products, yes you do have to buy the pre-op diet as the purpose of that is to shrink your liver to make surgery safer. After surgery and the liquid diet(provided by them), you can buy whatever wherever you wish as I have done. If you do buy your vits from them afterwards, the profits go to a hospital in Africa where he volunteers his time each year. He blogged about his time there, trust me, it is a very worthy cause.
Another thing about the money out of pocket is that the thought is that it will be more successful if you have invested your own money into the surgery and you have a financial stake in it. After all, the surgery is only a tool that is to be used properly, but can also be mis-used and thus a failure.

Hi sfmini,

Please, I don't want to put you on the defensive about Riverside. Frankly, If I had the money, it would be my first choice. I still would look at the costs ctitically, though. It;s just my training, I guess.
 
Here's where I am coming from. I guess for me (with limited finds as I am no longer working) I don't feel obligated to pay that much out of pocket. My psych eval is paid for by my insurance, and I can find better deals on the vits. and other presurgery items. I support other ministries, so I can't afford this one as well. 

I really don't understand why Riverside would not include the cost of this outstanding OR especially if he is vital to the surgery. This is a big red flag for me.

I know the out of pocket money is a big motivator-believe me, I have enough of a co-pay to elicit that "I have got alot invested in this" feeling!

Take good care!

Nanner

Naw, I am not on the defensive, just wanted to make sure you and other readers understand. It isn't Riverside that doesn't include Mike, it is insurance that won't cover his services. Must just be for the bariatric surgery though, because his services were covered when they had to take out my gallbladder. I understand what you mean about not supporting the ministries, I don't either, I buy my vits elsewhere as I prefer to support US based charities.
We are all in the same boat here, no room for judging each other's choices, we choose what works for ourselves and there is no on perfect program for all.
BTW, love the picture of the saddle in the avatar! I am a horse person as well.