Just an update. I went and saw the surgeon today and he is lovely, he answered all my questions and is rather laid back about the whole procedure and on going care. Don't get me wrong he is very professional but his bedside manner is fabulous.
My next steps are to go and have some blood tests done. I know just have to work out when I can have them done. Obviously I need to fast before hand and need to work out when I don't have an early meeting at work so I don't have to stress about how long I have to wait for them. At this stage its looking like it might be next Tuesday that I will go and get them done.
I've also made another appointment to see him to discuss the blood results, next steps, payment of the out of pocket expenses and when I can have the operation. At this stage it is looking like the operation will be in approximately 8 weeks time. As an estimate the out of pocket expenses are between $3500 and $5000 which is what I was expecting. They are going to send me a quote as it depends what my health cover will pay for and what the others charge.
Whilst I would prefer to have it done on the public list, sadly in Sydney the list has been closed and they are not taking any more names. The list is way too long, last I heard it was about 8 years and I would not wait that long.The surgeon I've chosen does 3 kinds of overweight surgery, lap-band, sleeve surgery (cross between lap-band and gastric bypass surgery) and gastric bypass. I was always leaning towards Lap-band surgery and the surgeon agrees with my choice. If I wanted the others done he would do them but basically the others can not be reversed if you change your mind down the track, where as the lap-band can be taken out if you change your mind.
I so can't believe that I stressed for nothing over this appointment.
I so excited about this and now can't wait for it all to happen.
Carlton
Take One step at a time.
Take One step at a time.
4 comments:
How exciting Carlton about the operation.
8 weeks will roll around in no time.
I can't wait to see how it all goes.
Can't wait to hear more about it.
Yay! I knew it would go ok. okok I didn't but I was hoping for you. Doesn't it make it a nice difference when the people you deal with are so nice! Good for you Carlton. I'm so excited about this for you. And 8 weeks...wow, that is not far away. So cool! Good for you for going for it. I hope it works out beautifully and we have a very happy new you in the near future.
Thanks for the update Carlton! Sounds good.
I'm not 100% sure... but with both of my pregnancies - once I paid $1000 out of pocket expenses, the government re-imbursed 80% of any costs after that (I had a private obstet). I'm sure this would be the same for you too. So although the out of pocket expenses may be $5,000 - you should get 80% of that back. Hopefully. You could phone Medicare and they could confirm that for you.
Wow... 8 weeks. That's not too far away. What would the recovery time be? I'm assuming you can take that time off work. Good luck with it all.
Jodie yes I forgot to mention that. All going well you are in hospital overnight (you could go home same day if you wanted) and your off work for about 1 week. I'll probably take another week off holidays so I'm fully recovered when I go back to my busy job.
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