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Gallbladder removal for Eli: covering what insurance won't

After a deviated septum causing chronic infections, Eli was cleared for gallbladder removal, but the bill is more than we can manage.

🇦🇺 Australia4,878 views
Eli L. Schmidt
Email verified
Melbourne
In February I was diagnosed with a deviated septum causing chronic infections. My surgeon at Melbourne General Hospital recommended gallbladder removal, and I have been placed on the schedule for April. The hospital's financial office gave me a written estimate of $7,000, and after what my insurance will pay, I'm still $4,950 short. Doctors at Melbourne General Hospital told me a deviated septum causing chronic infections will get worse without gallbladder removal. I work as a retail assistant, and I have saved what I can, but the estimate of $7,000 is far beyond what I've. Until the surgery I can't work full days, and my hours as a retail assistant have already been cut. Every week of waiting means more pain and a bigger risk. The recovery period is expected to take about 5 weeks. I'll not be able to drive during that time, so this has become a financial emergency as well as a medical one. The money goes straight to the treatment bills, and I'll share the invoices as they're paid so you can see exactly what your gift did. Where the $4,950 goes: • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $3,450 • Pre-operative tests and imaging: $400 • Hospital stay (5 nights): $1,100 Thank you for reading my story. - Eli
due date
2026-04-09
bill type
Hospital invoice
#surgery#hospital-bills#recovery#medical

Updates from Eli

  1. Small update. $2,258 so far, we've started the first stage.

  2. 16% there. I made the first payment toward surgeon and anesthesia fees. Thank you.

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  • William Reyes 🇺🇸 · $20

    “Every little bit. Thought of Eli all day after reading this. - Savannah”

  • Ekkachai Pichai Thongchai 🇹🇭 · $54.50

    “Praying for you. Please keep us posted. - Phuket”

  • Tayyaba Fatima Abbasi 🇵🇰 · $10

    “Hope it all works out. - Rawalpindi”

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    “Thinking of you. From Ubud with love.”

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  • Ratna Elsa Siahaan 🇮🇩 · $50

    “Get well soon. I'm in Jakarta, thinking of you.”

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    “Hope it all works out. Hope the May deadline works out. - Santos”

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    “Sending love. Shared with friends too. - Ankara”

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    “Hope things get better. - Kozhikode”

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    “God bless. Only $74 but hope it helps.”

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  • Krishna J. RathoreQuestion

    any update on how things are going in Melbourne?

    • Hadi Iwan Nugroho

      Wishing you the best, Eli. It takes guts to ask. Well done. Take care.

      • Mercy Caroline Kiptoo

        Wishing you peace. Hope this works out for you. It's not much but it's yours.

        • Chanida Kongkaew

          So sorry you're going through this, Eli. Your post was clear and honest. My husband and I read this together. Love from Badagry

          • Harold W. Hernandez

            Praying for you. Your post was clear and honest. Love from Ikeja!

            • Janhavi H. Sathe

              So sorry you're going through this, Eli. I hope things turn around soon. My husband and I read this together. All the best

              $4,172.50 raised of $4,950

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