Pre-op Process

[DPBinLV]

I have made the decision to get the LAP-BAND procedure done. I have been browsing the forum and have read some great advice and what I can expect to go thru once the procedure is done. However, I do have some questions leading up to the surgery. If anybody could provide some insight and knowledge, I would great appreciate it. Here are some of the questions I have:

1. I am going to be a self-pay coming in from Las Vegas, from what I have read, the total cost of the procedure is roughly ****. Is that a good ballpark figure these days?

2. Once I fully committ to the procedure and contact OCC and Dr. Ortiz, what happens next? ie: is there a deposit required? Is the initial consultation the day before the surgery when the pre-op test are done?

3. Once I have booked my reservation for the surgery, what is the wait time? Is there long wait before you can have the procedure done?

4. I understand having to stay the night in the hospital the day of the surgery. The day after, if I have a place to stay in San Diego, is that permitted and is the total cost adjusted for not staying at the hotel?

I think those are the main questions I have for now. I plan on going to a seminar here in Las Vegas to get really familar with the procedure and what to expect once I am banded. Any other information or insight that anyone could provide would greatly be appreciated.

The anticipation and excitment on a new day and new beginning is great. I know I am making the right decision and I am looking forward to starting my new life!

Thanks for the help...

Dave in Las Vegas

Edited April 3, 2010 by Dolittle
rules for posting prices

[jhawkchick75]

Hi there and congrats on your decision! Here are a few comments on my end:

It is my understanding that we are not supposed to talk cost on here, but if you call them they can give you specifics, but yes from what I remember you are on track there. In terms of deposit I sent all mine in full so i'm not sure there. There are financing options that they can talk you through but the interest rate was terrible so I went through first bank of Dad.

For me I was able to have surgery the day before I was supposed to which was kind of great - that way I wasn't sitting around freaking out - just ripped the bandaid and was done! You get there and they run a whole series of tests on you. But even before that I talked w/ them on the phone and got lots of paperwork regarding pre-op diet, how much they wanted me to lose, etc...

For me I had to wait a long time, but that was b/c I couldn't take off work until Oct (booked mine in July). But when I called they could have gotten me in as early as in a couple weeks. I soo wish I could have, but I just couldn't take the time off work until Oct. But if you talk to them it just depends on their schedule.

I personally would recommend staying one night, but I know folks that haven't since they live so close. My guess is the cost is the cost no matter what so you might as well take advantage of the attention and free otter pops, but i'd check w/ them.

My best advice for you would be to read as much as you can on here - I even got a notebook and took notes and felt really prepared and mentally ready to go. I read back through months of posts and it really gave me a great idea of what I was in for. But I will tell ya best decision I ever made and I would do it over 100 times over!!!

Good luck!!

[Lindsay]

1. I am going to be a self-pay coming in from Las Vegas, from what I have read, the total cost of the procedure is roughly ****. Is that a good ballpark figure these days?

I don't really know - you'll have to contact the OC directly to get your specific price.

2. Once I fully commit to the procedure and contact OCC and Dr. Ortiz, what happens next? ie: is there a deposit required? Is the initial consultation the day before the surgery when the pre-op test are done?

You will be required to PAY IN FULL prior to booking your surgery.

Once they receive your full payment via bank wired payment, they will happily book your surgery.

Your pre-op tests are normally done the day prior, when you arrive, or briefly BEFORE you go in for surgery (that's what was done for me)

3. Once I have booked my reservation for the surgery, what is the wait time? Is there long wait before you can have the procedure done?

Not a long wait. They could have booked my surgery for a few days out, but I went with a a few weeks, as I had to make flight/work/dog sitting arrangements. I know that they try and ram in as many surgeries in one day, making the booking easy.

4. I understand having to stay the night in the hospital the day of the surgery. The day after, if I have a place to stay in San Diego, is that permitted and is the total cost adjusted for not staying at the hotel?

No, I don't believe so. I think they try and make this simple in terms of consistency.

Part of the surgery is sticking close by, just in case. That's part of the follow up care. But, I'm sure you can stay wherever you feel most comfortable. You'll probably want to stick close to the clinic, the day after, just because it's less of a hassle, and you'll probably just want to sleep anyways! But again, you'll have to contact them directly to work this out.

* Hotel is so much cheaper in Mexico vs San Diego.

Hope this helps a bit!

[janellody]

Hope this helps a bit!

The only thing that seemed different for me was that I paid a $500 deposit when I booked my surgery. The remaining balance I didn't pay until I arrived there the day of my surgery, and I handed over my cashier's check for the rest.

[Lindsay]

The only thing that seemed different for me was that I paid a $500 deposit when I booked my surgery. The remaining balance I didn't pay until I arrived there the day of my surgery, and I handed over my cashier's check for the rest.

That is probably true!

I paid everything up front - I didn't want to carry any large amts of money with me.

So I paid for everything before i left.

[DPBinLV]

Hey guys! Just wanted to thank you guys for the posts and the replies. I appreciate you taking the time and passing along some advice and answering my questions. I called Lori at OCC today and schedule my banding. I am scheduled for June 25th. I am sure it will be here before I know it and I am excited for the journey ahead. I am sure I will be back on the board with more questions as the day nears. Thanks again for all of the insight and advice!

Dave