Question

I am scheduled for surgery on July 2. I am a self-pay. If i have complications in the hospital it is covered under the cost of the surgery. If it happens after I leave the hospital, I have to pay as my insurance will not cover it.

My question is, how many and what type of complications has occurred once you guy's left the hospital. I am worried that if I had problems I could be into thousands of $$$ for the cost.

Any and all input would be greatful.

I have dealt with a urethral stricture. See my profile for details...got to go to bed...

I am just like Michael.  I was self pay and had the same problem with my catheter.  I had to bring the catheter (and my urine bag) home with me for a week cause I couldn't pee, then had blood in my urine for a few weeks.  Concerning self pay, I stayed in an extra day but they still said there was no more payment due.  It included alot of test.  They did say if there was major complications they would charge me half of their going rate for fees.  Which you know are through the roof anyways.  I have 2 different insurance plans and both excluded the procedure.  I think after a year from the surgery the insurance company can no longer call it a pre existing condition if I had problems later.  Brian

Hey Mike and Cabin.... There was this same question on another board, and a lady came on who worked for an insurance company, I will try to find the post... but if i remember correctly, she siad, if you have something that is life threatening, that your insurance would kick in an cover it...but iif it was something that was minor, you had to pay out of pocket... that was the jist of it, I will try to find the post...for some reason, I trusted this ladys opinion russ

Hey Guys...I cut and paste this from the plastics board...even though this is for PS, I think the info may hold true for the wls too... this lady at least tells you where to look in your policy Hope this helps Russ Self-Pay Plastics - Complications Cost??? Original Post by B _ at 7:19 PM PST on 06/09/2007 RNY (11/30/2006) – Donald B. Graham, M.D. How of you that are planning (or have planned) self-pay plastics handled the fact that you could have complications? Does your doctor or hospital have something where it somehow gets covered? Or is it just a gamble and if something happens then you are SOL with a thousands of dollars extra invoice from the docs and hospital? Thanks!

RE: Self-Pay Plastics - Complications Cost??? Response from Kriola Cvi at 10:54 PM PST on 06/09/2007 On the water, MA – RNY (05/21/2003)
Let me try to explain this one. If you have a complication for PS and it is not impacting your life then you will assume the cost, if you have a complication and your overall health/life is at risk you are covered. Beyond what it may take to save your life is on you. At least w/ BCBSMA that is the policy... Please read up on your company, but I think this may apply nation wide. No hate mail please. Best wishes MaryLyn RE: Self-Pay Plastics - Complications Cost??? Response from Go To Man at 6:43 AM PST on 06/10/2007 Houston, TX
Wow MaryLyn I can't imagine anyone flaming you for such great info....I had never thought of it that way... Thanks Russ
RE: Self-Pay Plastics - Complications Cost??? Response from Kriola Cvi at 9:51 AM PST on 06/11/2007 On the water, MA – RNY (05/21/2003)
Your welcome Russ, but you never know about the flames. I work for one of the large Ins companies, and I may know a little bit more than some, but not all... in that arena. I have the information right at my finger tips each day and If I don't know I have several resources to go to. Take care MaryLyn

5 days after getting home I became severely dehydrated and was retaining fluid.  I felt weak as water and had no strength.  My surgeon had me go to the ER where they rehydrated me but admitted me. Fluid was backing up into the old stomach (not suppose to be happening) and I had a hig white blood cell count (infection prehaps).  They put me on large dosages of antibiotics and x-rayed and catscanned me numerous times over the next couple of days.  Finally they concluded my left kidney wasn't functioning.  The day they were going to operate to put in a drain, i had a sharp pain in my side and the catscanned showed significant change, so they kept me a couple of more days on the antibiotics during which my feet and legs swoll-up painfully.  After a day of that they finally gave me a fluid pill.  After 5 days, I was in the hospital for 5 days.  Every thing cleared up with medications and I have been fine ever since.  I understand your concerns.  I had insurance and it was considered a complication resulting from the surgery. Many have none.  My surgeon has an exquisite track record of WLS with no complications, so I was part of his 1% exceptions.  He has a .02% death rate.  That is both pretty darn good.  I was very pleased with everything except the pain meds were slow in coming on the first trip.  The return trip, they were falling all over themselves to kee me out of pain. If Ii had it to do again,...I would with out reservation or hesitation.

Frank, First- Welcome to the Men’s Forum! Glad you found us. Hopefully some have experiences and info to share. Mine is a little (OK, A Lot) off of the ‘Norm.’ I had/have 2 insurance providers- 1.) BlueCrossBlueShield-Mississippi is my Primary (through the University where I work) 2.) BlueCrossBlueShield / Empire- is my Secondary (through my Union [United Scenic Artists-Local 829] in New York) My Primary wouldn’t cover ANY of the Bariatric Surgery or accompanying costs- such as anesthesia, testing, etc…total of just over $32,000.00 My Secondary would/did cover Everything that my Primary declined, But only after it had been filed for and denied. So, the surgery was completely covered by Secondary. Now- I’m one of the RARE Lucky folks to have had extreme complications. About a month in the Hospital, 3+weeks of ICU, 2 surgeons, total of 7 Docs, 4 subsequent surgeries, 4 months of Home Health Care Nurses, 6 months Physical Therapy, Wound dressing supplies by the cases, etc, etc, etc… Approx. over $540,000.00 when I stopped trying to count…. Once it was a Health Issue and not just a Bariatric Procedure, My Primary kicked in and covered 80% to 90% of everything. My Secondary then picked up the remaining costs. I paid Nothing! Not a cent for Any of it. Even my Plastic Surgery 3 years to the day after my original procedure, Was picked up by my Primary for 80% with the Secondary covering the rest. I guess my Guardian Angel spent a great deal of time in the insurance offices watching over my case, motivated by his guilty conscience for stepping out to take a whiz During my first day of recovery when my complications arose. It’s a very legitimate concern / question. That’s my experience. With your surgery coming up, I do want to add- My complication was very atypical. A ruptured bowel that resulted from a kink and muscle spasms further down the plumbing from the actual surgery. Oddly enough, my father had the exact same complication a year after mine that coincided with an appendectomy. Perhaps it is genetic flaw in out bowels. My Bariatric surgery was performed by a surgeon who has and continues to do approx. 12 to 20 of these procedures a month. He’s one of those "Centers of Bariatric Excellence," And out of the 2500+ he and his partner have performed, I remain THE Complication. Their ‘track record’ is far better than the national average for complication free statistics, And if it weren’t for Me, I’m sure they would be touted as some National Super-Team of Perfect Surgeons. I hold the "honor" of being the one "Black Mark" on their otherwise spotless record. And, at that? I still fall into the "Successful Outcome" pile. 3 years at or below Goal. Healthier here in my early 50’s Than I ever was in my late 20’s! I always hesitate to share my experience with folks, Because it is an example of "What CAN go very Wrong," Even when everything is done text-book perfect. But, honest swapping of experience is a little more acceptable on the Men’s Forum Than on the Main Boards. The emotions and dramas can get a little high sometimes And blunt peer to peer exchange can be jumped on as Negative or ‘Non-supportive." Yes, my "Journey" reads a little like a Horror Movie, But it is one with a Happy ending. Keep getting your Ducks in a row for July. You won’t be munching down a burgers & hotdogs cookout on the 4^th, but you should be well on your way to a new "Lighter Life." Hope you find all of the info, experience and support This Bunch has to offer. Best Wishes- Dx

Hi Frank, I had the same worry, but the only complication I had was a slight infection where the drainage tube was still inserted.  Some antibiotics was all I need.  Take Dx advice and make sure the house is clean - spick and span before you come home.  Also, make sure you get your fluids and walking in.  You will be fine, by the way.   Blessings,  Greg

 

Hey Frank. Thankfully, the only oddity that I had was (is) an incisonal hernia that itches on occation.  It is nothing that I need to do anything about though.  If I have PS, they can fix it then.  Good luck with everything. Scott

I am 5 1/2 months out and had my first complication. Here is a link to the thread: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/men/a,messageboard/action, replies/board_id,5479/cat_id,5079/topic_id,3321270/