Hello everyone. My name is Kendra and I just got my approved to get started. I will attend the seminar on the 12th and after that I am clueless. I am so excited. I need this for my health. I keep hearing about the optifast shakes. Wat is this and where do ya get it? It covered by ins or do we have to buy it somewhere? Any info would be wonderful.
Thanks.
K
Bluepoint Surgical Group » Introduction
Hi New Here....
(21 posts)-
Posted 2 months ago #
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Oh I guess I should have said I was having the lap band done. :)
Posted 2 months ago # -
Optifast comes in the week or two before your surgery (depending on surgeon, I think). It is a shakes, bars, and soups. You get them when you go to your group meeting which is usually shortly before that. Insurance doesn't pay for them, or mine didn't anyway - pretty sure none of them do.
Courtney
Posted 2 months ago # -
Are they pricey?
Posted 2 months ago # -
The Opitfest is $300.00 for the 2 weeks.
Posted 2 months ago # -
OMG.. that is alot of money. Is there anything cheaper you can use?
Posted 2 months ago # -
My name is Lisa Fyall. Dr. Tran did my surgery in Feb 2010. Due to illness I was unable to use the optifast diet purchased from Bluepoint for 375.00. I have the entire two week plan that included chocolate and strawberry shakes, soup and bars. I am willing to sell the entire two weeks for 225.00. If you are interested give me a call at 804 677 7695. that will be the best way to contact me as I may not check the blog as often. Thanks.
Lisa
Posted 1 month ago # -
Im' pretty sure that the OptiFast is a required price of the process. I just had my initial appt w/ Dr. Halmi today and the totay out of pocket expenses come down to at least $870. $570 for Nutrition Fees (New patient consult, nutrition calls, educational materials, nutriational Pre-Surgery visition, Nutritional Status Post, diet advancement, 6mo follow up, 12 mo follow up and $300 for OptiFast (works out to $150/wk, if your BMI is below 40 you sometimes only have to do 1 week, I have to do 2 weeks).
The team gives you a great break out of the costs and schedule when you have your initial appt. At least that's what happened for me at the Woodbridge office. Hope that helps.Posted 3 weeks ago # -
This must be a relatively new option to include Opti with everything else. I'm over 6 months out and certainly paid out of pocket for Opti.
Posted 3 weeks ago # -
Does anyone know if Anthem BC/BS requires the 6 month nutrition program?
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
Hi,Granny:
I have Care first BCBS and they did require the 6 month program.
Good Luck,
TonyaPosted 2 weeks ago # -
Hi Granny:
I have Anthem BC/BC FEP and it did not require the 6 month program.
Good Luck,
Brenda
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
Thanks Brenda and Tonya;however, I just have Anthem BC/BS (not Care First of Federal Employee) Anybody have simply Anthem BC/BS PPO?
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
I had no idea there are so many tests, etc. to do before surgery. I am beginning to think that this will take too long. In the meantime, my diabetes is still not regulated.
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
Granny:
Hang in there: I'm sure the test(s) surgeons require vary from person to person. However, the bariatric coordinator should be able to schedule the majority if not all testing done in a day. She did for me w/ exception of sleep study and endoscopy. I attended the seminar in July,August-January(6 month classes,Feb.9th surgery. The BPS group were the best in making it a smooth ride. I will never forget Pam Cunningham's(office manager) willingness to help and guide me through the process.
Trust me it's so worth the wait and the hoops. Just over 6 months out, 100lbs lost,no food issues,complications and I feel on top of the world.
Hang in there:)
TonyaPosted 2 weeks ago # -
I'm only 2 months post surgery, have lost 56lbs. I have CIGNA, so had to take the 6 month class, the psych eval, and all the other pre-tests. I already had been diagnosed with sleep apnea, so didn't need another sleep test. There is a lot, but a lot of the "right before surgery" stuff can be done the same day. You can find a psych that has evening appts. It was a long process, but the best thing I ever did. I feel great! It is sooo worth it! I think I'm off several of my meds already (waiting on a blood test I took this morning). I started classes last Nov, and had my surgery the first day I got out of school for the summer, June 28th. I can't wait to go back and see the rest of our school staff and my students! Hang in there, it is all for good!
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
Hi Granny! I am 2 weeks post-op today, I had gastric bypass. My insurance required a six-month nutrition class. Like you, I felt very overwhelmed by the six-month committment to nutrition classes as well as all of the pre-op testing. So I know exactly how you feel. I took it one day and one task at a time. Like you, my blood sugar was out of control and I am also already on cpap. I took the list of test that had to be done and started scheduling one or two a month. Dr. Blosser did my enoscopy and colonoscopy and he was great! No pain, no fear in those procedures, so don't worry about that. I had a hard time finding a psyc that would accept my insurance. Someone in my nutrition class recommended this wonderful woman, Susan Paige. SHe charges $125 and she is so easy and great to talk to. I highly recommend her. The blood tests and chest xrays don't need to be done until right before surgery. So take it one test, one nutrition class at a time, the six months will fly by. Dr. Moazzezz did my surgery and he is wonderful. THe rest of the staff is fantastic and helpful as well.
2 weeks post op: no blood pressure medicine, my blood sugar still goes up and down a bit, but prior to surgery I was on three diabetic meds and my blood sugar was in the 300's, now I am still taking one med. and my blood sugar is now averaging 150. Do. Mo said to give it a little time, it will continue to go do. I have lost 11 lbs in two weeks. I started six months ago at 249 and got down to 226 the day of my surgery and I'm at 215 now. My reason for the surgery was mostly to help by diabetes and high blood pressure and I do not regret one moment of the six-month committment. I owed it to myself. I had had no problems with food/protein/vitamins. Everything is going well. I wish you all the best on your journey.
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
It might have been me that recommended Susan Paige! She is wonderful! I was looking for someone who took CIGNA, and she did!
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
I went on line and it looks like Anthem BC/BS doesn't cover weight loss surgery. I will call them;however, I wonder why this BC/BS doesn't do what other BC/BS do (like Care First and FEP) I am very disgusted right now.
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
Cindy - I think we were in the same nutrition class...I started in November too.
Granny - Don't be discouraged. Let Pam (office manager) help you with the insurance part of it. A lot of insurance's won't cover weight loss surgery unless there are comorbid conditions. I recall you're a diabetic. Don't give up, let the people at Bluepoint help you through the process. Good Luck!!
Posted 2 weeks ago # -
Well, folks, found out today by calling my insurance (Anthem BC/BS PPO) that this policy DOES NOT cover weight loss surgery. So guess I will have to do it by myself in the hopes that my diabetes, high bloos pressure and cholestrol will get better. Just thought I would let you know.
Posted 1 week ago #
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