Question:
I am curious if all doctors require payment pre op for

the mandatory post op support group and if so what is the usual charge. the dr I am seeing charges more than $4,000. Is that typical? Also, what does the support group involve, is it peer counseling or are they directed by professional staff?    — [Anonymous] (posted on July 3, 2001)

July 3, 2001
am i understanding ur question right? 4k to attend support groups?!?!?!? dr fobi has support groups all over the country & not only r they open to the public every month but they r free! they even put out refreshments! did u ask ur dr why there is this phenominal amount of money charged? if u dont want to attend the support groups does he refuse to do ur surgery? if so i would look for another dr. because this makes me think hes in this only for the money & his patients r not a priority. support groups r wonderful. i am still pre-op but i am seeing dr fobi on friday. i intend to make full use of his support group now & after my surgery. u get to meet pre-ops & post ops alike. & the post ops can offer very valuable information & emotional support. good luck to u
   — sheryl titone

July 3, 2001
The support groups meetings for our surgeon are free. Anyone can attend and there are no charges. The meetings are done in two parts - first he does some general surgery information and Q&A's and then the post op patients meet and he attends to ask question and there is usually one special topic that is discussed in addition to peoples questions. Last month a psychologist was there who discussed why we still see ourselves as obese even once we get to our goal weight and other emotional issues. This month our surgeon is giving an update on info from the recent meetings in Washington about WLS. Our surgeon is the only one who does WLS from the hospital where our Support Group meets and I believe the hospital gives us the room at no charge (they make enough from all of our surgeries). I would definitely question such a high fee being charged by your surgeon for support group meetings. That doesn't seem right.
   — Liz G.

July 4, 2001
Hi! This sounds fishy to me. If my doctor charged me for attending post-op support groups, well, he wouldn't be my doctor. If you can, find another doctor as support groups should be free of charge. I'm really surprised at this doctor. If this is regular practice of his, charging to attend meetings, it's absolutely appalling.
   — Mavis C.

July 4, 2001
There are several surgeons who charge a "program fee" ranging from $2,000 - $4,000 above and beyond whatever insurance covers. Support groups are part of the program, and at my surgeon's office they are led by either the nurses or the surgeons. - Kate -
   — kateseidel