First Step

Hello everyone, I took the first step and went to orientation on Tuesday, in Conway, SC. Dr. Balder gave a very informative slide show about WLS and obesity and related illness. I think I had everyone of them or at least half. Anyway, at orientation you get the packet to fill out and return it with a $250 program fee. That will be my drawback is coming up with the money to send with the packet, but I'll see. Did anyone else have to do anything similar with their surgeon.

Congratulations Brenda on taking the first step to reclaiming your life This is going to be such an exciting time!! My surgeon required a $2500 fee that included Optifast for 4 weeks prior to surgery, lifetime nutritionist, and lifetime psychiatrist services. Let me know if I can answer any questions for you!! Melissa

Dr. Bour in Greenville (my surgeon) requires a $2500 enrollment fee. All but $750 of it is refundable if you don't get approved by insurance. The $2500 includes the pre-op optifast diet, lifetime access to a nutritionist and psychologist and their aftercare program. At first I had some issues with it, but now at 4 1/2 months out, it was worth every penny. Did they tell you what the $250 is for? There are other doctors that charge nothing though you usually end up paying around $300 out of pocket for your evaluation by a psychologist. Maybe some of Dr. Balder's other patients will know more. I want to wish you well on your journey though! Kathy

Welcome to the SC Board, Brenda! Another Dr. Bour patient here ... $2500 poorer, but already my health and outlook on life has improved, and I'm not quite 3 months post-op. Wishing you all the best as you learn more about your surgeon, and begin the process! Dawn

The doctors at Riverside Surgical require a fee of either $250 or $350 when they start the whole process (I can't remember which) that you pay at your first appointment. If you don't have the surgery, it's refunded, as is any extra left over after your insurance pays its part of your surgery charges. So it sounds like a fairly common thing. Apparently folks "forget" to pay the last surgeon bill, which is why they request it up front. For me, they've earned every dang penny and given me a much better life than I could have hoped for! Lisa