aftercare package

[julieann]

I had my band fitted at dolan park with wga and decided at the weekend to contact the wls group regarding their aftercare package. I spoke to colleen the nutrionist and felt that this was probably the best way forward as at least i have the access to a bariatric nusre as and when i need so i have to go to london next sunday to have a consultation with wendy stubbs. Yesterday i was reading some of the diaries on this website and noticed that one of the threads said that the wls group had recommended pay as you go as she hadnt got a lot of weight to lose and as i only have about two and a half stone to go i am a little concerned that maybe i have parted with £699 and wont get the full benefit from it, so if there are any banders out there who are with the wls group could they please let me know if they have found the package worthwhile

 

[charliegirl]

Hi Julieann I cant help you but I had to write to say that I think its awful that a surgeon gives a service but it does not already include a follow up service, it sure is a money making racket for some..hope you get some answers soon chick....xx

 

[Brunetteandred]

I am naive. Pay extra for aftercare? ???!!!

I am very naive. Shel made a post on this thread: http://www.minimins.com/surgical-weight-loss/63546-post-bypass-aftercare.html

 

[j.u.s.t.l.i.z.]

what exactly is included in there aftercare package for £699 ? seems rather expensive !

 

[honey-dd]

For two and a half stone i would not of paid that amount, only for fills but it may be worth it for you as you were happy with it when you was told what was included

If not give them a call as you have not used them yet. you might be able to change?

 

[honey-dd]

what exactly is included in there aftercare package for £699 ? seems rather expensive !

12 Months Package - Gastric Band £699 - What's Included

• Welcome Pack
• Unlimited gastric band adjustments subject to clinician review
• Emergency Number - 24hr access to Specialist Bariatric Nurse
• Medical assessment with Bariatric team
• X-ray assessment of Gastric Band (if applicable will be charged seperately)
• Nutritional guidance as and when required
• Personalised fitness advice<LI class=style3>Support group for patients
• Quarterly family support group
• Behaviour modification tools - how to get the best out of your surgery
• Access to cosmetic surgeon specialising in body contouring
• Motivational and inspirational weekends away with other patients
• Invitation to a Christmas ball to celebrate every stage of your journey
• Access to a patient forum
• The opportunity to 'buddy up' with other patients
• Mentor Facility if required - Weekly 'touch base' phone call

 

[honey-dd]

I am naive. Pay extra for aftercare? ???!!!

I am very naive. Shel made a post on this thread: http://www.minimins.com/surgical-weight-loss/63546-post-bypass-aftercare.html

Probably naive yes lol ?,some of us pay for after care esp if we use WGA

 

[Alice]

OK.

YES it is worth every penny. I had my band with WGA and then joined WLS about 3 months later. Wendy and Colleen are fabulous. They really know their stuff, genuinely care about you, and are always at the end of the phone.

I have had a really hard time with lots of complications. I don't know what I would have done without their support. And if you pay as you go and then Wendy only wants to put 0.25ml in, you are going to feel ripped off. This way, even if she wants to see you every fortnight for months (like me), you pay no more.

I can't recommend them highly enough.

 

[julieann]

thanx honey and alice, i think i have done the right thing because at least this way i do have unlimited band fills and until we start having them none of us know how we are going to react to them, and like you alice, you have had a number of complications, and that could happen to anyone of us. I think what made me decide on the package is that i have really really suffered with the trapped wind and last friday i thought i was dying because i have never had pain like it, so saturday morning i rang the hospital group for advice and the nurse that i spoke to, who was on call at the time was absolutely useless, and even though we know when we have the surgery with wga that there is no aftercare as such it is a comfort to know that there is a friendly voice at the end of the phone who knows what they are talking about when we really need it, so yes even though i may not need as many fills as the next person i think that i have done the right thing

 

[donzi84]

i agree i had my gastric band with wls group and they have been great, since having my band 4 days ago i have had a few questions i needed answering and there is always someone to talk to, wendy and coleen are fab!! i think you have done the right thing as you cannot put a price on that extra support and pobably when you are a bit down one day you might need it xx

 

[julieann]

thanks for that donzi, its like my husband said you cant put a price on your health and the aftercare is just as important as the operation itself. x

 

[e.green69]

hi
i have the pay as you go package and like alice i have had problems but when i have gone to see wendy just for advice she hasnt charged me any extra i also have 24hr care via wendys mobile number wendy even calls me to see how i am doing. i also have all the nutriton advice and my fills have never been less than 1mil. the only reason i had 1mil was because i had allready had 3.5 in there. they even start given you a reduced rate on your third fill. the only difference is that you can go to support groups for nothing and i would have to pay £30. also it is only for a year the £699 package..
i just wanted you to have some advice on someone who is on the pay as you go.the WLS group are outstanding whether you are pay as go or allinclusive they treat you equal.
hope that helps
emma

 

[julieann]

thanx again for the replies, i must admit that i didnt even consider asking about the pay as you go because i didnt think that you would get anything else apart from the fills and it wasnt offered so i'm just hoping now that i haven't wasted my money