I REALLY NEED SOME HELP!!...

I REALLY NEED SOME HELP!! I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING BARIATRIC SURGERY FOR OVER 2 YEARS. I AM A DIABETIC AND 100+ LBS OVERWEIGHT. MY DOCTOR SUBMITTED A LETTER TO MY INSURANCE CO BCBS OF TN. I GET A REPLY FROM THEM THAT DUE TO THE WRITTEN CLAUSE OF EXCLUSION IN MY POLICY, THEY WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO HAVE THE SURGERY. I WAS DEVASTATED. I LIVE 15 MINUTES FROM BLOUNT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WHERE I CAN HAVE THE SURGERY PERFORMED. THIS IS A FAIRLY NEW PROCEDURE FOR THE SURGEON THAT IS NOW DOING THE BARIATRIC SURGERIES. I AM WILLING TO MORTGAGE MY HOME IN ORDER TO GET THE SURGERY AND LESSEN THE COMPLICATIONS OF MY HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, BACK PAIN, AND DIABETES. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE THAT HAVE USED DR. MARK COLQUITT AND DR. STEPHEN BOYCE IN KNOXVILLE. COULD SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE ME A GUESSTIMATE ON THE COSTS OF THE DR'S FEES AND THE COST FOR THE HOSPITAL. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP THAT YOU COULD PROVIDE. I WANT TO GET THIS GOING AND NEED SOME HELP. THANK YOU

Sandra I'm sorry that you are having a sad time about this but dont give up your dream of having the surgery. I would seek a qualified surgeon who has done many, many of these surgeries because experience does matter very, very much. Good luck to you !! Missy Lea

Hi Sandra, I received an email that you needed some help. The average cost for the surgeon and hospital can run you up to $40,000. I am seeing Dr. Colquitt for mine on the 17th. His seminar is at 6pm this Thursday evening, and right afterwards is the support group. You need to contact the office to reserve you a spot for the seminar. Should you go with Dr.Colquitt and Dr. Ray you have to register on-line and it costs $200. At your first appointment you pay the balance of $300. The office will help with the insurance problem. But you may have to wait until the first of the year. One thing with bcbs, is that they require you to have a 6 month Dr. Supervised diet program just prior to surgery, and Dr. Ray and Colquitt want you to lose at least 10% prior to surgery. It will help you in the long run. I attended Dr. Boyce's seminar. He's out of Park West. He charges $3000 up front for his fees. The Dr.'s have been doing these surgeries for a while now. Colquitt and Ray have only been doing Lap Band since last September. Now at the beginning of the year, I believe it will become mandatory for the insurance companies to pay for the surgery. That's why I said you may have to wait a few months but don't give up. There's a lot of things that have to be done during that time. If you have sleep apnea or not sure, you will need a sleep study, then a sleep level test done if it shows you have sleep apnea. You will need a psych evaluation to see if you are a good candidate emotionally. There's their nutrionist which you will see once you see the Dr. I wish I could make it easier for you. But until your insurance changes that exclusion, you will have to wait or be self pay. The Dr.'s office can tell you how much the Dr.'s fee is, and the hospital can too. I have heard a lot of wonderful things about Dr. Colquitt and Ray, but I only know of a few that had Dr. Boyce and they were happy with their surgery. I ask that if you have to wait, don't get discouraged. I too have been at this for over 2 years. I have severe sleep apnea, arthritis, hbp, diabeties, bone marrow disease, and wheel chair bound, and I am still fighting to have my surgery. I've had 11 denials over the last year. Dr. Colquitt and Dr. Ray prefers that you have at least two years of researching, then you have a better knowledge of what to expect. The seminar and support groups are required with any Dr. It's held at the Blount Memorial Hospital in the auditorium room. I plan on being there, wheelchair and all. Hope you can make it. May God travel with you on your new journey. Kathy

Sandra, I have been to 2 of Dr. Colquitt's lectures and he and Dr. Ray began doing the gastric bypass in December 2002 and have done over 200 cases. They began the lap-band procedure in December 2004 and as of July 14 they have done 16. There will be a lecture August 11 at Blount Memorial. Also a support group meeting for bypass patients. It would be good if you stayed for that. You will need to call his office to register. The total cost for bypass is 27.000+ if you have it at Blount Memorial, 14,000+ at the Surgery Center. Lap Band is 17,500+. He did not go into a lot of detail but the office could tell you more. The lectures are very informative, so try to attend one as soon as possible. Also the doctors have a web site www.tennesseeobesitysurgery.com Hope this information helps. Gloria