WeightWise

I am a self pay patient who is considering going to WeightWise for a VSG.  As I understand it below are the pre-op tests they require. 

Physician Evaluation

Psychologist Consultation

Dietitian Consultation

Exercise Physiologist

Sleep Lab Evaluation

 

 How much do these tests usually cost?  Also, how long does the process take.  I am hoping it will go quickly since my insurance company won't be involved.

I am in the process right now at Weight Wise.  I was able to get most of my appointments done within a couple of weeks.  I don't know the costs yet.  Some of the tests your insurance should pay for such as the sleep study.  Really nice folks at Weight Wise.  Make an appointment and go in for a consultation.  I am anxiously awaiting my surgery date.

Hi!  I am a pre-op patient at WeightWise and I think you've listed all of the the tests you have to do.  I had my consultation on 3/14 and I'm waiting for a surgery date even though I'm self pay too.  I expect my insurance company to pay for some lab work, the sleep study, and some of the other stuff but I don't know how much my part will be yet because I haven't gotten any bills.  I am getting the VSG and it is $9,995.00 for everything as long as you don't have any complications.  I just got back from a support group meeting tonight and it was incredible!  I highly recommend that you come to one as soon as possible.  You do not have to be a patient there to come to the seminars and they are free.  I plan on being at all of the meetings.  They are the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month for VSG and RNY.  (lap band has their own support group)  You can ask all the questions you want and get a supportive and honest answer.  One thing I will warn you about is that they will probably require you to lose weight before they will schedule a surgery date.  I have to lose 29 pounds before surgery so that is why I don't have a date yet.  I know this sounds crazy!  I mean, you need weight loss surgery and they're going to make you lose weight?  Crazy!  The reason is that they want you to shrink your liver of the fat that's on it so it will make the surgery easier.  Most obese people have fatty livers!  They do everything possible to have the best outcome for the patient so I guess it's worth it!  Good luck to you!  Kim

They require you to loose 10% of your body weight before surgery?

I started the journey in June. All tests were done and completed in June. LOVE that sleep study bed. I wanted to take it home with me. I did the sleep study, bloodwork, upper GI, psych, exercise and diet all in the same day along with the required nut class. Went home and showered then went to the required support group meeting. My insurance at the time, CRAPNA (CIGNA) paid for all but the surgery, and I was private pay for that financed through Capital One. I started on the 10% loss of body weight in June, also. I had to lose to have surgery by my chosen date: Oct. 18. I did it, but I was glad that it was when it was because I was beginning to get hungry for real food. I was on supplements only the whole last month of the diet during my mother's passing and funeral, etc. Good luck to you and congrats on choosing what I think is the best place for you to be! I love my RNY!

I don't think it's always 10% because my sister is having VSG too and Dr. Walton only requires 14 pounds for her.  (just over 5% for her)  Her made me do the 29 pounds because I carry most of my weight in my belly.  So I guess its an individual thing!

I think it's more common for the RNY people to lose the 10%. It's to shrink our livers since it lies close to the stomach. The smaller the liver, the more room the doc has to maneuver the instruments.  For me, that percentage equaled 30 pounds. I had it done by surgery day, but just barely.