HELP!!

I'm considering having this surgery, I haven't gone to the DR in a long while other than when I have a cold or something. There is no documentation with a DR on my struggle with my weight. Will this be a problem? Also, I've been going through and reading about insurance carriers in the state of Utah who will or will not cover this surgery, and apparently I have the worst insurance possible for this type of thing. I have IHC So I guess my next question is for those who have been self pay, how much is this surgery? I guess I need a total as to what I'm looking at as far as hospital stay, the surgery and everything else that comes along with getting the surgery. I've also looked at buying an individual health plan, but can't seem to find one who will cover it? Any help there?? If anyone has any answers I'd sure love to hear from you! You can email me at [email protected] Thank you!! Kristen

Hi Kristin, I can't help you much. But I wanted to let you know you're not alone. My insurance, Aetna, requires six months of physician assisted weight loss. I've never bothered with that because I've never felt a doctor could tell me anything I didn't already know. I figured it wouldn't work either so why waste time and money on getting a doctor's help? I don't know what Aetna's going to do but, if they make go through some doctor's program, then that's what I'll do. Gotta jump through those hoops! Anyway, yes, IHC is the pits. Aetna can be a pain too but I sure like them better than IHC. You might want to look into Aetna. Lynda

Hi Kristen~ Are you looking into bypass or lap band? Dr. Alldredge (Alta View Hosp) is now performing the lap band at the South Valley Surgical Center. It is about $5000 less than the hospital so the total cost for the banding would be around $12-15,000. (Quite a bit less than the bypass, and sooo much safer!) Yes, I'm biased! I was banded on 8/11/03 and have gone from 274 to my current weight as of this morning...da da da daaaaa 217!! I'm lovin' it! I'm no longer morbidly obese, or severely obese, I'm JUST OBESE! hee hee! My BMI has gone from 42 to 34.5! Good Luck with insurances! Keep in touch! Tasha

Hey Kristen, I know wht you mean about figuring out costs for WLS I was self pay and paid right around 18,000.00. Yes that is a ton of money but the best money you will ever spend. I went through 3 insurance companies and finally after 8 years of waiting I had enough and just pid for it. I know there are companies that pay w/ out much documentation but I never had those. Best of luck to you! Kristen too!