Charged more than quoted

.

So I'll say I would have questioned the fees you were quoted I initially- from what I know of healthcare and explanation of benefits they were suspiciously low. Have you always been cash pay for other medical services? Even with my health insurance I get an explanation of benefits showing the actual charges vs. the agreed Heath plan charge.

Usually cash pay patients can work out a single discounted fee with a doctors office- but it would not cover those pre surgery tests. It's not something I would have trusted a receptionist to give me details on- usually speaking the the person who coordinates billing/insurance is better to deal with- in person.

What's your BMI/height? If one endoscopy shows you aren't a good candidate for the sleeve- I'd heed that advice. I've not heard of sleeve procedure that can reduce reflux- usually the surgical intervention for sleeve reflux is revision to rny. Did they mention if you have Hiatial hernia? I'd get copies of all the reports for the tests they did in you so far.

My RNY surgery was $45,000. That was the surgeon's fee. That was for the surgery alone. The pre-testing, and hospital fees were additional. Insurance covered all of it, but what the surgeon and hospital actually received was a fraction of what was charged.

If I were self paying, then I would negotiate all charges in advance and have them in writing. That is what the insurance company does.

Hello! So sorry to hear the beginning of your journey started this way. Wish you were closer to Florida and I would refer you to my doc here in East Central Florida (Dr. Allison with New Fit in Viera, FL). I too am self pay. I started my journey at the end of January this year. I also initially wanted the sleeve but after the endoscopy was told by my surgeon that he recommended the bypass because of the decades of acid reflux I have endured. My first thought was no way am I having that invasive of a procedure - I'll just do it on my own!

After I came to my senses and the reality that that was NEVER going to happen. I started researching the bypass and came across this website. After my next appointment this time with one of the PA's wherein I had my list of concerns to discuss I decided to go for it even if it was 5 thousand more. The way it was explained to me was I wouldn't know the difference between a sleeve surgery or the by pass after the surgery unless someone told me as everything (diet,etc.) was pretty much the same only with the bypass I would lose more weight faster.

At this center self pays pay 1/2 down and they finance the rest for 3 years with 0 interest. Total was around $20,000.00 for the operation including post op checkups and meetings with the NUT. The way self pay worked was I had to pay $100.00 each for the pre-op doctor visits (usually included the NUT also), $75.00 when I was seen by the PA (4 visits over several months doc & PA). I think it was $1,500.00 for the endoscopy. The classes must have been included because I was never charged for them. Although they did not accept my insurance that wouldn't cover it anyway I just kept my mouth shut and the insurance paid for the psych eval and all of the blood tests. My surgery was done on 05/03 and I couldn't be happier! Not only did I get the bypass surgery but the doc repaired my large hiatal hernia and removed the decades of embedded scar tissue (this took him longer that the bypass!). My surgery was done by a robot so the incisions were smaller. Stayed 2 nights in the hospital (special bariatric wing) went home and am as happy as I can be that I did it!

I lost 19 lbs. pre surgery and 22 since. Blood pressure is way down already and my primary doc took me off blood pressure meds that included a diuretic a few days ago and I have put on 3 extra pounds water weight since then. I maintain a strict low carb/no carb diet so I know the weight gain is not because I am eating off plan. Right after surgery when the surgeon took me off the diuretic I gained 13 lbs but once I was back on them the lbs. came off in a matter of days. So although I am not considering this a set back it is a bit of a bummer. I know I just need to drink, drink, drink and walk walk walk and it will go back to normal at some point.

There are people on here who live in the Pacific NW that have recently had the surgery. I remember one that had surgery (or was going to) at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland (my daughter in law works there)- don't remember the person's name on here but it was in the last few weeks. Good luck to you and if you have any questions just pm me! You found a great bunch of supportive folks on here!

I had mine at Peace Southwest in Vancouver. It was a wonderful experience. I would recommend them highly.

I get so upset when I see posts like this. These pop up clinics that are just in it for the money. If you have money we will do a few expensive tests and do a two week diet and then surgery. This surgery is soooooo much more than the actual surgery itself . I owe my success to behavioral therapy weekly for 6 months. Physiologists once a month. Nutrtionalists every 2 weeks for six months. A supervised exercise program and even then if insurance approved me, the surgeon made the final decision and he was known for feeling a patient was wasting his time. For long term success please check around and get the best care possible

If you have reflux, and take this from someone who has, I'd strongly consider the RNY and not any form of sleeve. Just my two cents.

I was a sleeve patient right up till my endoscopy came back with no hiatal hernia.