Question:
If surgery is ok'd, what extra expenses can I expect?

   — Kathy P. (posted on August 22, 2003)

August 22, 2003
I live in SC and my DRs had an agreement with a local hospital and created a package deal ..everything for 18 thousand ..my ins paid 80% and my cost was 3 thousand . My greatest expense has been all of the new clothes :) as you move down sizes very quickly ..but I will never complain :) Now that I have experienced the wonder of this surgery I now know had my ins not paid a dime I would have bowwered the money and made payments on it just like you would a car ..its sooooo worth it ..Good luck to you :)
   — ruthie

August 22, 2003
It all depends on your plan, but if you are fully covered, maybe a hospital copay. I had none. My costs were parking for my husband in NYC, approx. $40 a day, his meals while at the hospital visiting, don't know exactly, and my phone/tv bill approx, $10 a day. Good luck!!!
   — Fixnmyself

August 22, 2003
NEW CLOTHES, NEW SHOES,LOTS OF THEM !!!!!!!
   — terri R.

August 22, 2003
I had to pay $250 to my surgeon for a registration fee, $100.00 to the psychologist for a writing fee (not covered by insurance) insurance covered consultation and I have also spent about $200 at Walmart and the grocery store on food items needed and things like a robe to wear at the hospital, Pepcid AC, chewable vitamins, chap stick, laxitives for bowel prep, protien drinks, etc.
   — Gail L.

August 22, 2003
Varies drastically on your policy and it's coverage. I had my yearly deductible and co-pay but I don't count those as part of the surgery costs because it's not like they were not covered. The only uncovered costs were $101 of the anesthesiologist's bill. Everything else was covered 100% after deductible and co-pay.
   — zoedogcbr

August 22, 2003
Like everyone said, it all depends. Since I have my out-of-pocket finished for the year, the surgery and hospital stay should cost me ZERO. However, the psychologist, nutritionist, and physical therapist are not being covered by insurance as they have cobbled special deals with my surgeon's office. Also, the surgeon's office has a minor fee relating the costs of establishing and running his patient's support group (room rental, etc.). All total for me is $950 up front.
   — Susan R.

August 25, 2003
I had a great HMO, and I only paid my $10 copay for each of the pre-op tests and my surgery. Think it totalled $100 for everything! My hospital TV rental was about $10 per day for 4 days. I also paid $20 for pain meds after surgery. Since my surgery was out-of-town, we also paid for a hotel for 5 nights, gasoline, and hubby's food while I was in the hospital. I would have hired a private duty nurse if I'd known how bad Westchester Med Center nurse care was on the normal wards. Oh, and I rented a recliner for 2 weeks post-op. Cost me about $50, I think. I also bought some protein drink samples and then one container of protein drink mix for a total of $40.
   — Kathy J.