Question:
the dr.'s office said i need to purchase a starter packet first what is this?

   — angela W. (posted on February 17, 2004)

February 17, 2004
Why don't you ask the person who told you that you needed that?
   — imaginec

February 17, 2004
Sounds like a scam to me. How much is a starter pack and what is it for? I never had to buy anything. They billed my insurnace and I pay the co-pay.
   — AmyWollet

February 17, 2004
There should not be any charge for paperwork, that should be part of their overhead. Unless this doctor comes with exceptionally high recommendations I would steer clear of him/her. You should not have to pay for a surgical procedure info package. Hopefully you live in an area of the country that has several bariatric doctors to choose from. Shop around for a good bariatric doctor even if you have to travel across the state or to another state. Good luck.
   — ChristineB

February 17, 2004
I agree, that sounds odd. What does this packet consist of? Even the most highly respected, high profile bariatric surgeons will send you an informational packet for free. If the packet has more than written material -- let's say it includes vitamins, I have never heard of a surgeon who would give you any of these things prior to approval. And any surgeon's office that offers vitamins through their office does so as an option, not a requirement. Sound hinky to me.
   — antiques55

February 18, 2004
I had to purchase one also. It was lots and lots of information on the surgey and paperwork for me to fill out. Also a video on the surgery to watch. It was well worth the money for me. I learned a lot of things and I think it is also a tool to see just how bad you really want to have this surgery. There were questions for me to answer that I turned in at my first appointment so the doctor could determine if I was a candidate and if I had the support that I would need.
   — CAMFR