Booked in Stuff

Had my follow-up appointment this morning (for the leg veins) and I’m all booked in for the 18th! So ten days time. I’m excited and nervous. He showed me the (massive length) fibre cable that will be inserted in my leg from my ankle to my groin. I’ll have a local anesthetic all the way up my leg. I said, “I hope so!” I’ll feel like an NBN connection! :D
Apparently it just zaps all the bad veins away. Crazy. I asked a few questions that were probably dumb to him, like, “Do I remove the compression banadages or do you?” (It’s him) and I asked when he was available to do the procedure because I needed to give work about two week notice to take time off, and he’s like, “Why? If you get it done Friday, you’ll be good by Monday.”
What!? I was under the impression I needed a week off, maybe even two lol, but no, he said most patients actually find the compression bandages comfortable and go about their usual day. I’ll just have to go for a 45 minute walk each day, and shower with them on for a week.

I was also concerned about the cost, but it looks like he’ll just do the main problematic leg (which is the right) and then I can decide afterward if I want to get the other one done as well. I mean, he has the ultrasounds already. Part of me was thinking it would be better to get the discomfort over with all at once by getting both done, but now I’m thinking I can get an idea of what it’s like with the one I want fixed anyway. It also helps majorly with the cost. He said, “You’ll be out of pocket $2400,” but hell, that’s better than $6400, and fits within the limit of my credit card. I appreciate the suggestions of ringing my bank and asking them to increase my limit. I have no doubt they would jump at the chance to let me do that, but I don’t think it’s a good idea, as that could and probably will hurt me down the line, as I think it is much easier to increase a limit than it would be to lower it again later. If I ever needed a loan, they always count the maximum limit of a credit card against you, even if there’s nothing on it.
Anyway, I asked reception on my way out if they do payment plans, as I am still worried about the $1000/day limit, but they DON’T. I felt like saying, “So you expect patients to just pay $6000+ all at once?” Stupid if you ask me. There are so many ways to implement this into payment system these days, but I guess they just don’t trust people. Anyway, I will get back $481 on Medicare. As the doctor said I’ll be out of pocket $2400, I’m assuming the total cost will be close to $3000 for the one leg, plus probably a bit more when I have to return to check for blood clots, get the bandages removed, and probably have the smaller veins zapped via the lesser pricey procedure. I’ll also get the cost of the bandages back via my private health insurance, but that’s all they’ll cover.
Anyway, I have a lot of stuff to read that he has sent me. There is a 1:2000 chance of a blood clot. None of his patients have ever had one, and the chance decreases the younger a person is. There is also a 1:10000 chance of a rare condition occuring that could result in the loss of my leg, so that one’s fun to read about lol. He was actually performing a leg procedure on a patient after my appointment, which I guess explains why all the afternoon appointments were booked out. The procedure will take an hour, but in my case, it will take an hour and a half, due to mine being absolutely fucked, basically lol. I then get banadaged up and walk right on out of there. So yeah, sounds pretty promising on paper.

I just had a read-through of all the legal jargon that I have to sign and return on the day I go in. It’s just to cover their arse in case they kill me. It includes the quote and all, so I’m quite happy with that now that I have it in writing, and the doctor’s been upfront with me about everything as well. There will definitely be some discomfort I feel, and given my particular procedure, it says it may be worst for me on Day 5, so that sounds fun. Obviously I won’t know until I experience it myself.
So despite him saying I won’t need time off work, I’ve decided to apply for a week off work anyway. Lord knows I have enough leave I never use.

Last updated July 08, 2022