WOW moment

Hi all.  I haven't been around much.  Still fighting a major case of depression.  But on to more positive things.  I recently reached goal and last week had a TT/BA and implants (at AMC).  I'm not sure what the best part was but I know I was giddy when they wheeled me out of the hospital in a kids wheel chair which I fit in perfectly. 
I'm going to have to get some updated photos soon.  I'll wait until the swelling goes down.

Hi!
I saw your post then I looked at your profile..I am so happy that you have lost the weight! YAY! I am also sorry that you are in a major depression...I will pray tthat you can overcome this soon.I haven't had WLS..yet..I am trying to get the Doc to accept my benefit plan(which he has a contract for)..then we will see..hopefully today.Anyways,back to you..I love your Avatar..you look stunning and I hope that when I do get surgery I will look as stunning as you.Take care and agian I will be praying for you.

Kimmeroo (Kim)

Kim
Thank you for your kind reply. I wish you the best of luck in your journey.  Don't give up it is worth it.  I'm working on the depression and see a therapist regularly as well as a professional that specializes in medications.  I have found that not having food to turn to during times of stress really does make you face problems that you never realized existed.
Therapy and counseling are extremely critical for a successful journey.

Hey there... haven't seen ya in ages. Glad to hear your surgery went well. Do you mind me asking how much it cost? That is exactly what I want done and I am trying to figure out if I can swing it. Was it Dr. Chao and did you have to stay over night>> Thanks

Hi Tara.
I did have it done at AMC but not by Dr. Chao.  He recently came and talked to the wls support group and told us about the resident program.  Being selfpay I investigated that option and was very confident with the surgeons.  It cost just under $12k with a savings of $4,400 for using the resident clinic.  I did stay over night due to being in the OR for 6 hours and having both procedures.  The South Clinical Campus is small and very intimate.  I was there again yesterday with my grandson getting his tonsils and adenoids removed.  Due to the small size of the facility the atmosphere makes it seem more personal and like you're getting everyones undivided attention.  Things moved along like clockwork.  Everyone was so attentive.  Staying overnight was only $400 so it was a very worthwhile expense.

Hi, so nice t hear from you! I wonder if pries have gone up with PS? When I had my surgeries (full lower body lift and saline breast augmentation) in 6/2004 with Dr. King www.albanyplasticsurgeons.com at south clinical (I agree awesome place for PS! I was one of 2 pts ont he floor each night with 2 nurses!) I stayed 2 nights and was self pay my total was $12,795 with the hospital, anesthesia and surgical fees (no discount didn't use residents). Perhaps different surgeons have different fees?

surgeon fee: LBL $5,000
Augmentation: $3,500
Implants themselves flat fee $1,250
-$400 multisurgery discount
-10% cash payment ($810)
-$75 consult fee credited
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
$8,465
$2,890 Hospital fee for2 nights stay/
or and preop testing
$1,440 anesthesia fee
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
total: $12,795
My insurance wouldn't pay either but i had about #4 pounds skin removed total it was more body contouring than anything with my LBL...I didn't have the massive pannis many do that weighs 10-30#!

My 'financing' was to put it on a credit card then I was fortunate to have good credit I opened a interst free no fee bor balance transfer x 12 mo credit card paid 1/2 off in first year then opened another interest frree no balancetransfer card for 12 mo and paid the rest off! 2 yr free no interest loan!

Yeah I remember him saying that and I am thinking about that also. So did you have your initial consult with him or with the residents?? Also do you know if they have a financing option or did you use another means to pay? Sorry for all the questions I am just very interested in having this done. When was your surgery?

I went in to see Dr. Chao but didn't have to.  He was willing to submit my claim to insurance but agreed with me that I probably would not get any approval.  I did not know how to get in to see the residents at first.  I didn't need to see Dr. Chao first so our visit was very brief and I made an appointment to see the residents.  It's easy to get in to see them and it was about 3 weeks from consult to surgery.  I had surgery last Wednsday.  I did not ask about financing.  They told me they take cash, bank check or credit card.  The surgeon and anesthesia fee were due days before surgery and the hospital fee was due the morning of surgery.  The resident I used was Ben Schalot and the head surgeon was Dr. Haynes.  They were both awesome.  Ben spent about 2 hours for my consut discussing everything in detail, and about 45 minutes on the second visit when we confirmed the implant size.  Nurses I spoke with said that if they had to choose they would pick Ben because he is so meticulous and careful.  He even gave me his email address in case I had questions.
I'm going to try and make it to support group tomorrow night.  I'm not allowed to drive yet.

Thanks so much for all the info. I was planning on trying to go tomorrow. I haven;t been in ages. Hopefully I will see ya there