i need some answers

Hello out there i am considering wls and i went  to my personal doctor dr. Eberly in taylors sc and he just got my family history and let me know that if I did not lose weight i would not live to see my fifties. that scared me to crying my heart out and he referred he told me that i was a candidate for wls surgery and referred me to dr. bour at bariatric solutions two days later i went to a seminar an introductory to the wls procedures and dr. bour spoke along with his assistant and the other people on his staff it was very informational and  a packed house and i was excited about the whole thing up until they brought up this enrollment fee of 2000.00 well i have 3 (three) kids., i am unemployed and i  am going through a nasty divorce- which is part of alot of my weight gain. so i am getting rid of the dead weight (get it). I am insured through bluecross/blue shieldca to have the wls surgery so this enrollment fee that was put out there just kinda put things on hold because i cannot not afford these prices. but anyway hope eternal

Hey there ! Welcome to the boards... Let me start by saying.. Dr Bour is NOT the only Bariatric Doctor out there... I went to several seminars before I chose the Dr I used. You have a lot of options out there...  There is Dr Ross is Spartanburg... or Dr Rowitz in Anderson (( he is who I used)) He didn't require an enrollment fee... and he didn't require me to go on a diet first... He's very professional and straight forward... You can even use the options on this website to find a Dr who meets YOUR needs rather then vice~versa ... Whatever you decide.. You have found a great support group.. a great outlet and an EXCELLENT group of people who will answer any questions you have and help you in any way possible... GOOD LUCK!

Good luck sweetie. Dr. Bour is my Doctor, I had my GB 5/15 of this year. When you are doctor shopping one thing you really need to look at is the cost of the psychologist and nutritionist as an addition to your surgeon. You will need to see these guys for the rest of your life as your surgery is a life changing event (but a good one! LOL). There are also weekly support groups and even a chef comes in 1 time a month! Dr. Bour's $2000 fee covers all this cost. I guess you can say it is a pre-payment! I would check to see if your insurance company covers the cost of a psychologist and nutrionist are are there any limitations. Also, does the physician offer weekly support groups? Dr. Bour offers a complete program with in-house nutrition and psych support. Of course I highy recommend Dr. Bour. He is a very skilled surgeon (when I had my gallbladder out on Halloween the anesthesiologist told me that Dr. Bour was the best laproscopic surgeon in the upstate which made me feel a LOT better!) I do not regret my decision to use Dr. Bour. I hope this helps some.

Well, you are not the only one that Dr. Eberly had this "talk" with recently!    He is my physician, too.   Just to let you know, I agree that there are other surgeons out there.  Take your time, don't rush...this is a life changing event.  Interview as many doctors as you need to--and know that Dr. Eberly will support your choice as long as you do your homework. I actually chose to you a doctor out of state.  I am even choosing a different procedure that the RNY and Dr. Eberly has been nothing but supportive.  If you do choose another surgeon other than Dr. Bour, I am sure that Dr. Eberly will give you the new referral if you need it for insurance purposes. Good luck! Cyndi

Hello! I just wanted to let  you know that YOU need to feel comfortable with your surgeon.  I know that there are other Dr.'s out there that do the surgery. It is all about you and how you feel.  Do you research and see where you are.  I agree the enrollement can be considered a large amount, however, I prayed about it and God made a way for me.  Do not just pick the cheapest surgeon out there.  Dr. Bour's fee includes alot of things that the other 2 Dr's in the update do not offer.    His office provides support, counseling, cooking classes, grocery store tours, dietitian support and the whole nine yards.  I am only 3 weeks out and my support group from Dr. Bour's office has been my life line.  Some of these ladies are some of my closest friends.  Why?....because we have the same struggles and addictions.  I would not trade their support for anything.  It is price less.  I am here for you too no matter what your decisioI really like Dr. Bour and his program. He has an outstanding program. Every week at support group meeting I am impressed with his staff and all the information I learn in meetings.
The thing I liked the least was the waiting list. He is so good that he is kept booked months in advance. Future patients need to have reasonable expectations. He does not perform drive through surgery. There are psychological tests, meetings with a psychologist, meetings with a nutritionist and pre-tests done to ensure that it is safe for you to have this surgery. Aftercare is absolutely emphasized but is not the only consideration with Dr. Bour. You have to take classes prior to being scheduled for surgery. If you don't take the classes you don't get the surgery. He wants to make sure that everyone knows exactly what they are getting into and what to do in any situation. There is a carefully structured aftercare program and classes that are mandatory. Dr. Bour is very knowledgeable and I have spoken with several of his patients to ask them questions as well. They all speak very highly of him. HE explains everything to you and you are SOOOO INFORMED!!  I am also going thru a divorce as well and I struggle with many emotional issues as well.   Go visit the other informational seminars and see how you feel.  IT IS ALL ABOUT YOU AND HOW YOU FEEL!   Good luck with your decision.  We are all here for you no matter who you choose.   It is still a life changing decision.   Angela

Do your research.  Go to more than one seminar.  As a patient of Dr. Bour's almost 2 years post op, let me warn you of one thing.  Sure the fee covers nutritionist visits and "psychological" counseling, but as you get farther post op those appointments are harder to come by.  The nutritionist wasn't available for me when I needed them the most (after 1 year) and the psychologist has NEVER been available for me.  I see a psychologist outside of his office and pay a co-pay every time. My story is not just mine alone.  All the friends I made during pre-op meetings and who have dates near mine have the same story.  Don;t get me wrong.  Dr. Bour is a wonderful surgeon, I just don't like the fact that his office is still making all these promises about what his fee covers.  and I paid $2500 by the way. All in all, if I could have found another Doctor with the same skill as Dr. Bour and NOT paid the fee, I probably would have gone with them instead.

I had the same issues with Dr. Bour's plan. $2000? Not covered by insurance? What if I don't like his psychologist? Psych services are not "one size fits all". What if the nut isn't available? I went with Rowitz and haven't regretted it. I had the same insurance you do and everything except the psych testing he requires was covered by my insurance. The psych testing was $300 and it's the only thing I paid besides my deductible and out of pocket. Dr. Rowitz has monthly group meetings. He requires consults with a psychologist and I've met with a nut 3 times but I didn't have to pay $2000 for any of it. Everyone I know who went to Dr. Bour has raved about him and I know he is a great surgeon but I've had great results with Dr. Rowitz and would receommend you check him out and any other surgeons in the area. Everyone has to find the right fit. Good luck!

Do the research. That's what I did. I haven't had WLS yet but shouldn't be long. I looked into how many surgeries they had done. Patients commits and the hospital used. Also the location. There was a doctor that was closer to where I live but he did not have a good review. My insurance didn't cover him. I was glad. I choose Dr. Bour for many reasons, $2000 or not I would have chosen him because of his record. When it comes to my life in someones hands, I want those hands to be the best I can get. Cost is no option when it comes to your life. I took out a loan to pay my $2000. My bank loaned it to me no problem. So he's paid in full. When there's a will there's a way. Good luck. Do the research. Choose who you will be happy with. We can give you subjestions but the choice is yours!