Question:
i have several questions that need answered and not sure who to ask

I have medi-cal and they won't pay for surgery so my mom has offered to pay total costs...but...how much will it be for the gastric bypass and all other costs...is the hospital stay included in the surgery cost? i was told it was 20,000$ for everything, but need to know if that is total cost for EVERYTHING? Can a doctor deny me even if I'm paying for it without insurance? I am almsot 100 pounds overweight but do not suffer from any medical problems except joint pain and depression. I am going to call doctors in my area this week and want to know if someone can direct me to a list of questions I need to ask him/her at my appt.? On average, how much weight can I expect to lose? How much pain is involved after the surgery and how long will it last? I've heard that after the surgery you lose weight so rapidly that you will need surgery to "cut" off all the loose skin...is this true and is so estimate on how much this will cost. I'm sorry there are so many questions but I would appreciate someone taking the time to contact me or post answers...thank you in advance. [email protected]    — [Anonymous] (posted on October 22, 2001)

October 21, 2001
Hi, I live in Redding, CA. I see you have medi-cal so you must be in CA also. I belong to a support group here and there are a couple of gals having surgery that have medi-cal which is paying completely for their surgery. Please keep checking for surgeons, I am not sure who their docs are but I believe one is in Auburn and the other in Davis. I think one of the doctors name is Wolfe. Good luck!! I've heard that there are other doctors who take medi-cal also, the wait may be a little longer but it would be worth it.
   — Teri C.

October 25, 2001
Doctors and hospitals take a HUGE cut when they are paid by insurance companies. HUGE, they usually only get paid 40-60% of their billed charges. Negotiate with the hospital and the surgeon. THey are almost always willing to make a deal! A friend of my asked the hospital if they would take 70% and they immediately said yes. Why pay the full ammount when you dont have to.
   — RebeccaP