Hello!

I finally admitted to myself that I need surgery to help me lose weight. What woke me up was when my vision got really blurry due to high blood sugars. I was scared that my sight would not come back. Past six months or so, it feels like my body is aging faster due to excess weight.

So I got a referral to start the process. I called to attend the informational meeting and sign up for the required nutritional classes. When I found out there was out of pocket cost to attend the classes, I asked if there was a sliding scale for low income individuals. Got a snarky reply asking if I can afford the costs after surgery. Ugh....really rude and depressing

I'm sorry the person came across that way, but it is a very real consideration. A compliant patient must commit to a lifetime of vitamins. They can get costly. Don't let it discourage you-- just another area to research.

Im disappointed that they charge a fee for the nutrition class though- I'm used to that being included for the most part.

If your doc/np/surgeon writes a letter of medical necessity, my FSA permits vitamins!

you have to have money to put in FSA, plan a plan that allows it.

I'm sorry you received a snarky reply, but like Peach said, they want to make sure you are compliant after surgery. It probably could have/should have been said in a different way/tone. Don't let the attitude of someone who may have had a bad day deter you. My insurance covered everything EXCEPT the 6 nutrition consults. I would have to look it up, but I think it was $25 per session. Best wishes!

Emotions run high when WLS approaches.

Take a deep breath and just keep coming here for support.

I am sorry you felt you got snarky comment. But as others mentioned- life post op WLS can be expensive. Vitamins, minerals, proteins, Time off work, plus any complications and can happen because of

Add needs for regular checks ups - blood work testing, etc. It can be costly.

app 3 years post op I needed iron infusions, CT scan, etc etc. Things adds up. Some things that can cost lot of out of pocket $$.

Blood work and iron infusions are super expensive! My last round of iron infusions cost $5000; blood work was $2000. And since I have to get both multiple times a year, I don't know how I would afford those costs without good insurance.

Thanks for your support. Yeah, I think admitting that I need help with weight loss has made me more sensitive to comments like that. For the past month my health has taken a nosedive, I was just put on insulin, and I'm just unsure of everything. So I tend to take it personally. If it comes down to it, my health is more important and I will just have to find the resources to pay for classes and whatever else is needed.

Are the classes required by your insurance company, or by the surgeon? There's a big difference.

Call the phone number on the back of your insurance card to get the requirements, in writing if possible. If it's only the surgeon *****quires the classes, you could look for a different doctor who's in your insurance network.