I have to pay cash:(

I was wondering if anyone out there has had to pay cash for their surgery? If so, where did you get it done, what type of WLS did you have and how much was it? I am looking at the wish center surgeon around Dayton Ohio. Any ideas of what I should do? My insurance changed my policy and now they don't cover WLS. Thanks!!

I had surgery with Dr David Fallang, Middletown, Dayton area, March 7,2005. Paid cash, RNY, good experience, I highly recommend Dr Fallang, 4 people I work with have had surgery with him. My insurance wouldn't cover either, I took money out of my 401K, borrowed the rest. Cost was around $17,000.00 cash. Well worth it. Good Luck.

Hi Disney Chick, I'm looking at Dr. Fallang too. Any comments or advice?? Darlene

If I remember correctly he kind of gives you a discount when you pay cash. I researched this alot prior, and the $17,000.00 was for everything. You have to pay cash for you 6mo & 1 yr check ups but he does not have to see you if your doing okay, they will send you a copy of the labs you need done and you can have your PCP do them. He has his own hospital (Riverview Surgical Institute) his own staff of nurses, OR staff and anesthesiologist. Thats all they do there. Everyone was very nice and seemed to know what they were doing. I'm a nurse, so I was confident I had made the right decision. I had a small post op complication of a internal bleed at what they think was a suture site, I had to stay in the hospital 1 day longer than planned and was very tired for several months (I didn't want to have to be transfused so I just took the vitamins) the bleed resolved on its own and my labs camed back up to normal. There were no extra charges even though my care back a little bit more involved while I was in the hospital. Dr Fallang had told me that this rarely happens and it usually resolves itself and he was right. I have had no problems at all, labs are ok, I have an occasional episode of getting something stuck but it is usually because I'm rushing and not chewing right. Whenever I call the office, someone always calls right back. When I got home after surgery, I had a question on a Sunday morning and the number they had given me went right to his house. So no problems with response from him or his staff. I cannot recommended them enough. Good Luck.

Thanks Disney Chick! It means a lot to know that you are a nurse & recommend him. I just can't wait to have this done. p.s. I think it is time to update your profile. Darlene