Question:
I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS POSSIBLE?

I WAS TOLD TODAY BY MY PCP THAT I NEED TO HAVE MY GALLBLADDER REMOVED BECAUSE IT IS ABNORMAL. I WANT TO HAVE WLS BUT MY INS DOES NOT COVER IT. DO YOU THINK IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAVE WLS WHEN I HAVE MY GALLBLADDER REMOVED AND SELF PAY THE DOCTOR JUST FOR GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY?!!!!!!!! BECAUSE THE HOSPITAL STAY, MEDS AND EVERYTHING ELSE WILL BE COVERED WITH MY GALLBLADDER REMOVAL. I AM WILLING TO PAY THE DOCTOR UP FRONT FOR WLS. HAS ANYONE DID THIS BEFORE? PLEASE HELP!    — PATRICE T. (posted on February 21, 2004)

February 20, 2004
Yes, it is possible to have gastric bypass when they remove your gallbladder. However, there are several things to remember. A gastric bypass costs more than a gallbladder removal and it is quite expensive. Secondly, if you have complications from your gastric bypass the insurance company will NOT pay for the additional hospitalization, meds, procedures, etc. since they did not pay for the gastric byypass to begin with. This happened to someone in my support group. She was self-pay for the gastric bypass and ended up having all kinds of complications and ended up in the hospital for almost 3 months. She was then stuck with all of the additional bills after taking out a loan to pay $40,000 for the initial surgery, etc. Now she is stuck with even higher bills. So, in answer to your original question...yes, it can be done but I would think long and hard about it before getting that deep in debt.
   — Checker B.

February 20, 2004
Have you already talked to a surgeon about WLS? If so, then give him a call and see what can be worked out. Many surgeons have a long waiting period prior to WLS, see what your doctor requires. Good luck
   — barbara A.

February 21, 2004
I guess anything's possible, but with a gallbladder removal, you don't stay overnight. With WLS you're talking one or two nights minimum.
   — mrsmyranow

February 21, 2004
The hospital will want to charge you for the bypass. Bypass surgery is much more invasive than a cholecystectomy, for one it means more time in the operating room....the hospital will look at it as more services being utilized and will want to be paid for it. See what your doctor thinks about it.
   — Kara J.

February 21, 2004
The first thing to do is talk to your surgeon. Then you may want to talk to your insurance and make sure this won't cause any problems with them covering the gallbladder removal. I had my gallbladder removed and a lung biopsy at the same time. It was best for me as I didn't have to be put under anesthesia more than once. This may be a good option for you, but be sure to check out all the angles and costs first.
   — Carolyn B.

February 22, 2004
Im sure it could possible be done.. BUT what came to mind is gallbadder surgery is usually done lap; also are you even requrie to stay the night any more? IF something would to 'happen' i.e. you had to have open instead of lap, had complications from the WLS or the 'hospital stay' extended PASS what a gallbadder would YOU would OWE for 'that'....
   — star .

February 22, 2004
YES! That is something I was going to have to do...any my surgeon agreed to it any everything. BECAUSE- the insurance cannot make you have LAP gallbladder- so you can chose to have open! It will work if your surgeon will do it- and I dont see why they wouldnt...I even called my insurance and asked if it was possible and they said yes- that they would pay for everything related to gallbladder! However, my gallbladder wouldnt wait for my WLS- so I had it out last November. My WLS is in June! Good luck and I hope it all works for you!
   — Valerie03