Starting Program @ Celebration Health
I just posted this same post on another thread - but thought I would post it here incase you didn't see it...
I was banded by Dr. Kim in June and I can't say enough about him or his staff. They are friendly, down to earth, non judgemental and just the nicest people I have ever met!
Remember though that Dr. Kim is VERY strict as to what you can and can't do prior to and after your surgery with regards to eating. There are pre-op liquid diets (I had nothing but protein shakes, yogurt and 1 cup of raw veggies a day for 2 weeks prior to surgery) and post op diets as well (by week three after surgery I had never been so happy to see refried beans or ricotta cheese in my life) but they are there to help you succeed.
If I had the choice I would definitely use him again!
If you want to chat about anything or have any questions just let me know....
Kristina
(deactivated member)
on 10/15/09 9:22 am - Orlando, FL
on 10/15/09 9:22 am - Orlando, FL
Thank you so much, Kristina. That really helps. I will definitely reach out to you while I go through this leg of my journey.
Hi there!
I'm also a pre op patient of Dr. Kim's, I have made all my clearances, and now I am working with Michael on scheduling my surgery. I have been very happy so far with the process and Dr. Kim's office and staff. They have been wonderful at returning my calls and emails very promptly. Go to the support group and just listen to his patients, it is so uplifting and makes you feel confident in your decision. You'll also enjoy your session with Dr. Ferguson, she really makes you feel at ease with your decision and helps you mentally prepare for everything.
Good luck! I am so excited to find other people going through the process both at Celebration and with Dr. Kim.
I'm also a pre op patient of Dr. Kim's, I have made all my clearances, and now I am working with Michael on scheduling my surgery. I have been very happy so far with the process and Dr. Kim's office and staff. They have been wonderful at returning my calls and emails very promptly. Go to the support group and just listen to his patients, it is so uplifting and makes you feel confident in your decision. You'll also enjoy your session with Dr. Ferguson, she really makes you feel at ease with your decision and helps you mentally prepare for everything.
Good luck! I am so excited to find other people going through the process both at Celebration and with Dr. Kim.
(deactivated member)
on 10/22/09 12:47 am - Orlando, FL
on 10/22/09 12:47 am - Orlando, FL
Congratulations on your clearances. I can't wait to get to that point. Amanda verified my benefits and now I'm in my 3rd month of the 6 month monitoring by my doctor. I havea question. Wha exactly is the $600 program fee for? I was surprised by this and very surprised the psych evaluation is going to cost $500. None of this was mentioned at the information session and completely caught me off guard.Just sounds a little expensive especially since my insurance covers the surgery at 100%.
I hope you get your surgery date soon. And you are right. It is easier and more comforting when you know of other folks going through the same program.
I hope you get your surgery date soon. And you are right. It is easier and more comforting when you know of other folks going through the same program.
I haven't encountered the $600 fee yet, you pay the $500 fee for the psych exam because she edoes not take insurance, but I was able to submit teh bill to my insurance company for coverage. :) I am so jealous that your insurance is covering the procedure. My insurance has a no bariatric coverage clause, the *******s! ;)
I created my account at the hospital last week, so now I just need to get my bloodwork done a month before surgery.
What procedure are you having done? I have decided on the sleeve.
I created my account at the hospital last week, so now I just need to get my bloodwork done a month before surgery.
What procedure are you having done? I have decided on the sleeve.
The $600 fee covers all your consultations pre and post surgery for the first year. Dr Kim will typically see you (if I remember correctly) once prior to your surgery, at the hospital and then at 1 or 2 weeks after the surgery, again at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. Dr Kim and his surgical partners/residents are also available by phone if you have any urgent concerns (pain etc).
Bill (the exercise guy) will see you pre-surgery to test your resting metabolic rate and provide exercise advice, at the hospital (to give you your anti-blood clot exercises) at the 3, 6 and 12 month marks (where he'll test your resting metabolic rates again).
The Nutritionist will see you at the hospital, is available any time by phone or e-mail, will pop in at the 6 month mark, and at the 12 month mark (if you ask).
All of this is included in the $600 fee. Not bad value at all I think.
As for the $500 fee for Dr Ferguson. Initially I was quite resentful about this - I had gone to an in-network shrink for pre-surgery clearance (my insurance company required it as part of the submission to get approved for the surgery), and I didn't want to lay out $500 for Dr Kim's psychologist (who wasn't covered by my insurance) in case I didn't get approved. My insurance did approve the surgery, but I still had to see Dr Ferguson to meet Dr Kim's requirements. I saw it as a waste of money.
However, after meeting with Dr Ferguson I have to tell you that it was worth every penny. She's had WLS herself, the testing she does is a LOT more in-depth than what the insurance company psychologist did - mainly because, with her, it's about a LOT more than whether or not you are mentally/psychologically competent to make the choice to have the surgery (which is mostly what the insurance company screenings are about).
Dr Ferguson uses the testing results to pinpoint areas where you are likely to have trouble with the post-surgery requirements, and gives you strategies to deal with it. For example: she told me that (based on the testing) I was very independent, highly intelligent, and strong willed. You'd think these were good things right?
According to Dr Ferguson, being independent means that I'm less likely to acknowledge when I need help and less likely to ask for it (which, I have to confess, is true). Since everyone needs some help and support after WLS, this was something I needed to be mindful of. The intelligence can be a problem, because folks who are bright tend to push the boundaries and "the rules" trying to work out what they believe does/does not apply to them. They experiment. I took this one to heart - because I really do have a tendency to do exactly that - if the rule doesn't make sense to me, I'm highly tempted to ignore it. Lastly, the strong willed bit (combined with the independence) meant that I was more likely to try to do things my own way, and not listen (pig handedness some folks call it)!
Dr Ferguson also runs the monthly group session for the 9+ months out folks (so the initial consultation helps you to get comfortable with her for the long term). All the support groups are free for life (Dr Kim even allows other surgeon's patients to attend).
This guidance has really helped me be successful post WLS - and therefore worth every penny.
Good luck to you with your surgery - I fully believe that Dr Kim's emphasis on a rigorous post-surgery program is a key reason his patients are so successful.
Bill (the exercise guy) will see you pre-surgery to test your resting metabolic rate and provide exercise advice, at the hospital (to give you your anti-blood clot exercises) at the 3, 6 and 12 month marks (where he'll test your resting metabolic rates again).
The Nutritionist will see you at the hospital, is available any time by phone or e-mail, will pop in at the 6 month mark, and at the 12 month mark (if you ask).
All of this is included in the $600 fee. Not bad value at all I think.
As for the $500 fee for Dr Ferguson. Initially I was quite resentful about this - I had gone to an in-network shrink for pre-surgery clearance (my insurance company required it as part of the submission to get approved for the surgery), and I didn't want to lay out $500 for Dr Kim's psychologist (who wasn't covered by my insurance) in case I didn't get approved. My insurance did approve the surgery, but I still had to see Dr Ferguson to meet Dr Kim's requirements. I saw it as a waste of money.
However, after meeting with Dr Ferguson I have to tell you that it was worth every penny. She's had WLS herself, the testing she does is a LOT more in-depth than what the insurance company psychologist did - mainly because, with her, it's about a LOT more than whether or not you are mentally/psychologically competent to make the choice to have the surgery (which is mostly what the insurance company screenings are about).
Dr Ferguson uses the testing results to pinpoint areas where you are likely to have trouble with the post-surgery requirements, and gives you strategies to deal with it. For example: she told me that (based on the testing) I was very independent, highly intelligent, and strong willed. You'd think these were good things right?
According to Dr Ferguson, being independent means that I'm less likely to acknowledge when I need help and less likely to ask for it (which, I have to confess, is true). Since everyone needs some help and support after WLS, this was something I needed to be mindful of. The intelligence can be a problem, because folks who are bright tend to push the boundaries and "the rules" trying to work out what they believe does/does not apply to them. They experiment. I took this one to heart - because I really do have a tendency to do exactly that - if the rule doesn't make sense to me, I'm highly tempted to ignore it. Lastly, the strong willed bit (combined with the independence) meant that I was more likely to try to do things my own way, and not listen (pig handedness some folks call it)!
Dr Ferguson also runs the monthly group session for the 9+ months out folks (so the initial consultation helps you to get comfortable with her for the long term). All the support groups are free for life (Dr Kim even allows other surgeon's patients to attend).This guidance has really helped me be successful post WLS - and therefore worth every penny.
Good luck to you with your surgery - I fully believe that Dr Kim's emphasis on a rigorous post-surgery program is a key reason his patients are so successful.
(deactivated member)
on 10/24/09 1:12 pm - Orlando, FL
on 10/24/09 1:12 pm - Orlando, FL
Thank you Sweetie. That helps tremendously. I hope my insurance company will not require a psych evaluation aside from Dr. Ferguson's. I have been reminded that all my expenses are tax deductible and hopefully the expenses are astronomical.
Thanks Again.
Thanks Again.
(deactivated member)
on 10/23/09 5:15 am - Orlando, FL
on 10/23/09 5:15 am - Orlando, FL
I am not a selfpay patient, but I did find out about the other fees. There is a $500 fee for the psych evaluation that Dr. Kim makes mandatory. The program fee is $600. The cost of ech surgey varies. The Lap Band is $ 16,195, the sleeve is $16,695 and the RNY is $23,445. Amanda, the insurance lady, says they have a finance company they work with that she can put you in contact with. There will also be some pre-op testing. I didn't get those fees.
I hope this helps. Good Luck!!
I hope this helps. Good Luck!!
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