Gum Graft Surgery Cost

Your gums, over time, may begin to recede, either due to a disease, aggressive brushing and/or even because of genetics.

As this process happens, it will start to expose the tooth root, making the affected tooth very sensitive to hot and cold foods.

In this case, your dentist may often recommend a gum tissue graft, commonly referred to as a gingival graft, a procedure designed to help cover the root to eliminate your sensitivity and even improve the appearance.  It can also help protect the damaging effects of gum recession as well.

“Injection” (CC BY 2.0) by Conor Lawless

How much does a gum graft cost?

The cost of a gum graft will greatly depend on the severity of your condition, the type of tissue being used (either via a donor or your own mouth), the dentist you use and your geographical region.

From our research, if you need tissue donated from another person, usually a cadaver, it will cost about 30% more than using your own tissue.  In most cases, be prepared to spend anywhere from $700 to more than $1,800 per tooth without any sort of dental insurance, but the average cost per tooth can drastically drop if the dentist needs to work on more than one tooth during the surgery.

A dentist of Realself.com stated the more the teeth need to be treated, the lower the cost should be, but on average, you should be prepared to spend anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 per tooth without any sedation.  As for the average, the website reported members paid anywhere from $1,375 to $6,000 for the procedure.

Max Arocha, DMD, according to his official website, he noted you should be prepared to spend anywhere between $700 to $1,000 for a single procedure on a small site that includes one to two teeth.  In the end, the costs, as mentioned, will depend on the extent of the recession and the type of tissue being used.

Healthline.com mentions that if you do have insurance, you may find you will pay little to nothing at all, and in some cases, you may be able to have the procedure done for free if you have it as part of the Affordable Care Act.

The procedure

The procedure, either performed by a dentist or a periodontist, is almost always done inside of the dentist office and is considered an outpatient procedure.

As per WebMD, there are three popular gum tissue graft procedures a dentist may choose:  either a connective-tissue graft, free gingival graft or a pedicle graft.

Before they start, they will first numb the affected area, and the case of an anxious patient, a mild sedative may be used as well.

Next, a small cut, made at the graft site, will form a pocket in order for the new tissue to be inserted.  The new tissue, if it comes from your own mouth, will often come from the roof of your mouth if you’re considered a good candidate.  If not, as mentioned, it will come from a local tissue bank, most likely from a cadaver.

After being inserted, it is then stitched shut and a mouth guard may be inserted to help prevent any excessive bleeding and to prevent your tongue from playing with the stitches as your mouth heals.  This step may vary, depending on the method being used, as explained above.

As for recovery, patients will be asked to avoid any strenuous activity and hard brushing/flossing for several days after the procedure until the gums heal and you will be able to go home right after the procedure is done, usually after the dentist monitors you for the next 30 to 60 minutes.  However, if you were given a sedative, you will need to have someone to drive you home and may be asked to stay at the office longer than a patient who didn’t take one.

Depending on where the tissue came from, the entire recovery process can take up to 10 days.  LaJollaMom.com talked about her personal recovery process and may be worth a read.  Once healed, you will be asked to come in for a follow-up appointment, where your dentist will check your gums and confirm everything is healing as it should.

Risks and complications

As with any procedure, risks and complications may occur.  According to Healthline.com, complications are rare, with infections being the most common threat.  In other rare cases, if the graft tissue doesn’t adhere to its new site, then you may need to have the procedure done once again.

Tips to know

The success rate for a gum graft can vary from person to person, but according to orthodontisteenligne.com, the success rate is often excellent, with the benefits usually being permanent; however, if you are a smoker, the success rate will be lower in comparison to someone who doesn’t.

One gum graft alternative, according to Dr. Linger is the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique™, a newly invasive option designed to help treat receding gums without the pain and recovery time as with traditional surgery.

The pain will greatly depend on the type of gum graft performed.  If you had no tissue removed from the roof of your mouth, then you should feel very little discomfort; however, if the tissue was removed, then you may be in slight pain for the next three to five days, but it is nothing an OTC cannot help.  Most dentists say patients rate the pain as a three to four out of 10 on the pain scale.

AlexandriaPeriodontics.com has multiple gum graft before and after pictures to browse.

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Gum Contouring Cost

Whether it’s a disease or even a response to a prescription medication, the gums, due to these problems, can begin to accumulate atop the teeth, causing what’s known as a “gummy” smile, making the teeth look smaller than they truly are.

Commonly referred to as a gum lift or gum reshaping, this procedure removes any damaged and/or extra gum tissue and is often followed by a procedure known as a gingivoplasty, a procedure which will help shape, and thin out the gum tissue left after the gum lift in order to create a natural look.

If your gums are either resting too lower or are even too high on your teeth, you may be considered a candidate for the procedure.

“Needlicious” (CC BY 2.0) by Conor Lawless

How much does gum contouring cost?

The costs of a gum contour greatly depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of the work, the amount of work which needs to be done, your geographical location, and dentist/periodontist you use.  As most procedures often include the whole mouth, the entire procedure, without any sort of insurance, can range anywhere from $1,500 to $3,200.  Do keep in mind these costs can be much higher if you needed other work done such as dental crowns or veneers — procedures which are often done in sync with a contour.

As for just a limited area, such as treating the gums above one or two teeth, then the costs can often be much lower, usually around $225 to $450 per tooth.

On RealSelf.com, for instance, more than 30 members reported they paid an average of $1,950 for the procedure.

DocShop.com mentions the costs of laser gum contouring can vary greatly by the patient, depending on the amount of gum that needs to be treated.  According to their report, the average costs can range anywhere from $300 to $3,000, with the costs be on the lower end if you needed just one or two teeth done or much more if the entire gum line needs to be contoured.

As this procedure is deemed a cosmetic procedure, almost all dental insurance companies will not cover the procedure.

The gum contouring procedure

Either a dentist or a periodontist can perform this procedure right inside of their office.

In the past, a dentist would be reduced with a scalpel, which, for most, would cause an uncomfortable situation and a lot of bleeding.  Today, however, many dentists use a laser technology and tools such as a diode laser in order to sculpt the perfect smile.

At the start of the procedure, the dentist will first numb the affected area with a local anesthetic to help eliminate any discomfort you may feel during the procedure.

Next, the dentist will use a diode laser to trim away any of the excess gum tissue to sculpt a naturally, uniform, scalloped-looking gum line.  As the laser is cutting, it also cauterizes, which means less bleeding a lower chance of an infection, according to DocShop.com.  The whole process, essentially, cuts away any excess gum tissue and will reshape the gums to create a natural look.

The entire procedure, from start to finish, can take less than 60 minutes and can easily be performed inside of your local dentist’s office.  Most patients will only need one appointment and results are usually permanent.  In complex cases, however, surgical sculpting, maxillofacial surgery or orthodontics may be required to see desirable results.

Recovery

After the procedure, it may take up to a few weeks for your gums to completely heal, and your dentist will offer specific directions about what you can do in order to help aid the healing process.

For the most part, your dentist will tell you to take an OTC pain reliever whenever you feel pain and ask you to refrain from eating any spicy or hard foods.

What causes uneven gums?

According to WebMD. there are a variety of factors which could cause your uneven gums.  For one, genetics, a health problem or even the medications you take can affect your gums.

Gums that are too high can often make your teeth appear longer or unnatural, often causing most to be unhappy or self-conscious with their smile.  In some cases, if you left ignored, it can lead to serious dental problems in the future such as tooth loss or decay or can even be a sign of periodontal disease.

While, most of the time, this procedure isn’t necessary, many choose this cosmetic procedure as a way to improve their smile to restore their confidence.  However, in rare cases, this surgery may be considered as part of other procedures such as a crown lengthening or a pocket reduction.

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Gum Bleaching Cost

Even though dark gums may be healthy, some find the color to be unattractive, often seeking measures to lighten them.

Aside from being known as gum bleaching, it can also be referred to as gum depigmentation or as a dark gum treatment, to name a few.

“Needlicious” (CC BY 2.0) by Conor Lawless

How much does gum bleaching cost?

The costs to bleach your gums will depend on the dentist you use, the method they prefer, the degree of discoloration, the depth and the location of your gums.  As each patient will vary somewhat, the prices can range anywhere from $900 to $1,500 for both the upper and lower set of gums.  If, in some cases, you only need one set of gums bleached, then it’s best to cut this cost in half for a decent estimate.  As this is often considered a cosmetic procedure, most dental insurance companies will not cover it.

Dr. Alex Farnoosh, a cosmetic dentist based out of Beverly Hills, California, on his website, claims the procedure at his office can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500 or even higher depending on the complexity of your case.

Bauer and Bauer Dentistry and Orthodontics mention the costs can range from $800 to $1,200 depending on the severity and the amount of the area that needs to be treated.

The treatment process

Before the procedure is even considered, the dentist will first want to examine your discolored gums to make sure you’re a candidate for the procedure.  Generally, your gums must be free of oral and/or periodontal disease to be considered for this process.  Patients also taking blood thinners and those with thin gum tissue are often not considered good candidates, either.

At this time, your dentist will also be able to determine the complexity of your treatment and determine the best course of action.

There are a few methods dentists prefer when lightening your gums, however, most dentists will use a dental laser, particularly one known as the Waterlase MD Laser, in order to remove the dark pigmentation on the gums.  These lasers are minimally invasive, safe and avoid the pain of needles.  The entire process can be completed in one office visit and one session can last up to more than 20 years, depending on the method used.

Most patients claim there’s no pain or discomfort, but those with sensitive gums may experience slight discomfort for a short period of time. Immediately after the procedure, patients will be able to resume normal activities and can drive themselves home.

The entire process will take about 30 to 60 minutes and can be done inside your dentist’s office.

Why are my gums black?

Darker-than-average gums, even though healthy, are caused by what’s known as hyperpigmentation, the darkening of the skin caused by melanin.  Often attributed to genetics and/or those with a darker skin tone, particularly Middle Eastern ethnicities and those of African descent, can be prone to this dilemma; however, it can affect peoples of all genders, ages and race.

Dark gums are not always considered to be healthy as poor hygiene can result in the bacteria buildup on your teeth and gums, eventually leading to the development of gum disease, which, if left ignored, can lead to the darkening of your gums.  Smoking, another common factor, as well as medications, such as minocycline and salicylic acid, can be a factor as well.

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Thyroid Uptake and Scan Cost

The thyroid scan and uptake, commonly referred to as a radioactive iodine uptake test (RAIU) in the medical world, will use small amounts of radioactive materials, known as radiotracers, a camera, and a computer to help determine your thyroid’s size, shape, position and function.

This type of scan is often ordered by your physician when he or she wants to determine if the gland is working, help diagnose any problem related to the thyroid glance, assess the nodule discovered in the gland, detect any abnormalities, determine if the thyroid cancer is spreading and/or evaluate any changes in the gland following a surgery, according to RadiologyInfo.org.

“Thyroid Check” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by cbgrfx123

How much does a thyroid uptake scan cost?

The cost of a thyroid uptake and scan will greatly depend on your geographical location, the doctor performing the scan and if insurance is involved.  From the costs we researched, patients reported anywhere from as little $425 to more than $1,000 without insurance.

On MDSave.com, for example, they listed more than 70+ providers across the United States, with the national average on its website being $433 at the time of this publishing.

Two doctors on HealthTap.com agree that $1,000 is a good price to budget for if you do not have a health insurance policy.

According to a forum member on this Medhelp.org forum thread, he claimed he paid $840 without insurance for the process, but if he paid within 30 days, they would knock 30% off the price.

Preparing for the test

Six weeks before the test, you cannot have an x-ray exam involving an iodine contrast, and about fur weeks prior, you will also be asked to stop taking any thyroid hormone medicine, but you will need to check with your doctor to confirm this as per the University of Washington.  Always tell your physician about any prescriptions or OTC medicine you’re taking at the moment to see if you can continue to do so.  WebMD also says you should let your doctor know if you have an allergic reaction to iodine, anaphylaxis or might be pregnant or currently breastfeeding.

Depending on the facility protocol, you may be asked to wear nothing but a gown or you may be able to wear some of your clothing.  In any case, all metal objects, such as jewelry, must be removed in order to avoid any interference with the scan.

Days prior to the test, your doctor will more than likely ask for bloodwork to measure the level of thyroid hormones in your bloodstream, and hours before the scan begins, you will more than likely have to fast for a few hours in order to avoid affecting the uptake measurement results.

How does the test work?

The scanning portion

During the scanning portion, you will lay back on a moveable examination table, where an IV catheter is inserted into either your arm or hand.

Next, depending on the type of exam being performed, a dose of radiotracer is either injected, swallowed or it can be inhaled as a gas.  If, however, it is taken orally, you will be asked to take it about 24 hours prior to the scan.  If administered as an injection, this is done about 30 minutes before the scan begins.

When it is time for the scan, the gamma camera, as you’re laying down, will take and capture a series of images from your thyroid gland at all angels.  During this time, you will need to remain still to ensure the accuracy of the pictures.

After the scan is complete, you will be asked to lay on the examination table until the technologist confirms all of the necessary images were taken as in some cases, more images may be necessary for better clarification or to better visualize certain areas.

The entire scanning portion can take about 30 minutes.

The uptake process

As for the uptake process, you will be given a radioactive iodine, in either a liquid or capsule form, often several hours before the first measurements are taken.

Once you take this radioactive iodine, uptake measurements will be taken at random intervals, ranging from six to 24 hours.  At this time, when the measurement is necessary, you will sit upright in a chair, where a stationary probe will be positioned over the thyroid gland.

Like the scanning portion, as long as all of the images are clear and concise, then you be cleared to leave.  HealthLine.com states that a healthy thyroid should be an even green in color, and if any red spots are spotted on the image, this could be a sign of abnormal growths on the thyroid.

The uptake process is much quicker than the scanning, often taking as little as five minutes.

The entire process, both the scan and uptake, are known to be relatively painless, but in some cases, patients may feel a pinch of discomfort when asked to remain still while the gamma camera takes images.  In some cases, patients report a slight sting when the intravenous line is injected before the scan begins.

The results

As per the University of Washington, a doctor with special training in nuclear medicine, after the procedure is done, will review the images and will send a report directly to your doctor, who, in turn, will share the results with you.   If your results are showing your thyroid isn’t functioning as it should, then your doctor, depending on these results, will more than likely order more tests to help find the right diagnosis.

Risks of a thyroid uptake and scan

As there’s a small amount of radiation contained during the scan, your exposure will be minimal, within acceptable ranges, but at this time, there are no long-term complications of having this procedure done.

Some patients have reported an allergic reaction to the radionuclide material.  Albeit rare, the effects, even when experienced, are considered to be mild, often resulting in redness and/or mild pain near the injection site.

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Thyroid Blood Test Cost

A thyroid test is designed to measure the thyroid hormones, antibodies and the proteins in the bloodstream to help diagnose and observe thyroid ailments like hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer.

The thyroid gland, being responsible for regulating how your body uses energy, also produces your hormones critical to your body’s cell and system functioning.

Your doctor may recommend this test if he or she suspects you are experiencing symptoms in align with either hypo- or hyperthyroidism.

“Thyroid Check” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by cbgrfx123

How much does a thyroid test cost?

The costs of a thyroid test will depend on how you have the test done, the type of tests performed, your geographical location and your health insurance provider.

If you have health insurance, these tests are typically covered as long as they are deemed a medical necessity.  For most cost reports online, many claimed they paid as little as $0 to more than $50 after insurance paid its share if the test was performed at their local doctor’s office.

As for those who do not have insurance, again, the costs will greatly depend on the type of test.  For the most part, many of the labs online offer a thyroid panel test, which consists of the thyroid stimulating hormone test, T4 total, free T3, free T4 and thyroid peroxidase antibodies tests all in one.  This type of test can range anywhere from $125 to $150 if you order from a lab online and have the blood drawn at a local approved site. Most of these labs will not accept insurance.

WalkinLab.com, for instance, offers a variety of thyroid tests ranging from $38 for a thyroxine (T4) free direct serum test to as much as $295 for a comprehensive thyroid #4 blood test panel.

At a doctor’s office, however, patients have reported paying anywhere from $350 to $550 without insurance and that didn’t include the doctor’s fee.  Again this would greatly depend on the factors mentioned above.

How the test works

As per LabCorp.com, the test is a simple blow drawn from the vein in your arm and no special preparation is necessary; however, in some cases, your medications may interfere with the test, so it’s always best to talk with your doctor ahead of time to know which medications may interfere with your results.  All tests require no fasting as per the Cleveland Clinic.

This test can be performed either at your local doctor’s office or at a local lab if purchased online.

The lab tests typically begin with a TSH test, and if the results are abnormal, then a free T4 test is then considered, with a total T3 or free T3 considered as well, depending on your results.  In most cases, LabCorp mentions the lab will automatically perform a follow-up test, known as a reflex test, with the same blood work to help save the practitioner time.  As an alternative to these tests, a panel may be recommended, which is a test designed to get a complete picture of the thyroid function.

When is a thyroid test ordered?

As mentioned prior, your doctor may order this test if you are experiencing symptoms which may suggest either hypo- or hyperthyroidism.  Symptoms include the following:

• Anxiety
• Constipation
• Difficult time sleeping
• Diarrhea
• Dry skin
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Increased heart rate
• Menstrual irregularity
• Puffy-like skin
• Weight gain or loss

Source:  Piedmont Healthcare

The thyroid test results

If the thyroid isn’t functioning the way it should, then either an increase or decrease of the thyroid hormones may show up in the results.  When the TSH concentrations show increased amounts, then the thyroid will create and release the inappropriate amounts of T4 and T3, which makes the patient feel the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.  However, if there is a decreased production of the thyroid hormones, then a patient may experience the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Source:  VeryWell.com

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Thyroid Ultrasound Cost

A thyroid ultrasound, like all other ultrasound procedures, are relatively painless as it generates sound waves to create high-resolution images from inside of your body to help better understand the situation.  It is designed to help measure, size and determine the shape of your thyroid gland, but it will not be able to determine how well it is working.

In most cases, a doctor will consider a thyroid ultrasound if any abnormalities are suspected, such as a cyst, nodule or tumor, especially if a biopsy is considered.  It can also check to see if your thyroid gland is either underactive or overactive.

“12799449_1112138212164281_17844783719693” (Public Domain) by Veterans Health

How much does a thyroid ultrasound cost?

The cost of a thyroid ultrasound will greatly depend on where your ultrasound is performed, the geographical location, the type of ultrasound and your health insurance.  Without health insurance, the costs can be as much as $300 to $1,000 or more, especially if performed at a hospital.  However, from what we researched, the average costs, aside from the doctor’s office examination fee, is about $300 to $600.  These are the costs for the ultrasound only and will not include any future treatment options or the doctor’s office fee in most cases.

For instance, a 3D or a Doppler ultrasound, which uses advanced technology, can cost more than a basic ultrasound due to the higher level of detail.

The Healthcare Bluebook, with its facility cost ranking analysis, noted the average cost can range from $212 to $665.

Preparation

As with any ultrasound, it will either be done inside of your doctor’s office if they have the equipment, at an outpatient ultrasound center or at a hospital.

Before the test starts, you will be asked to remove any objects which block access to your throat such as a necklace other accessories, to name a few.

When you arrive in the room, you will be asked to remove your shirt, put on a hospital-like gown and lay on your back, with a pillow placed behind your neck in order to slightly tilt your head to help expose your throat.

How a thyroid ultrasound works

Laying on your back, depending on your circumstances, your doctor may first inject a contrast agent into your bloodstream in order to enhance the image quality.  If done, this process is relatively fast and only requires a quick inject using a needle often filled with either an agent called Lumason or Levovist, a gas that is filled with tiny bubbles.

Next, a gel will be rubbed on your throat, which is designed to help the transducer glide over your throat without irritating your skin.

Rubbing the transducer back and forth on your skin where the thyroid is located, images will appear on the screen, and the technician will grab any necessary screen grabs.

Once the procedure is done, your doctor will look at the images and will call about two to three days later with your results.

The entire procedure is relatively painless, easily tolerated and takes about 30 minutes, according to RadiologyInfo.org.

Understanding the results

An ultrasound, once the results come in, can offer your doctor some valuable information, including what type of growth you have, the number of growths if any, where they are located, the blood flow to that growth and/or whether it has distinct boundaries, according to HealthLine.com.  The ultrasound is also able to detect a goiter and swelling as well.

With these results, your doctor will often discuss any future treatment options, if necessary, and will discuss any conditions which he or she suspects.

If your doctor recommends additional care, it can range anywhere from a fine needle aspiration to test the fluid to blood work or another ultrasound.  In extreme cases, surgery may be recommended, especially if cancer is present.

Here’s what a  normal vs. abnormal thyroid ultrasound would look like.

How to save money

Even though your doctor may order one, it doesn’t mean you have to use the facility he or she recommends.  To save money, call a few freestanding facilities in your area which specialize with ultrasounds and ask them over the phone for their rates.  As long as you know you need this specific ultrasound, they should be able to provide you with a quote over the phone or even email.

If you do not have insurance or even have limited coverage, many facilities do offer its patients a cash discount, so be sure to inquire about this.

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Quick Weight Loss Center Cost

Established in 2001, the Quick Weight Loss Centers offers personalized weight loss therapy, helping you lose weight, all without exercising and eating the foods you enjoy with their own line of diet foods and supplements.

Often heard during the Rush Limbaugh radio program, a popular radio host who lost 80 pounds in 2009, this Florida-based company has helped hundreds lose weight.

As of today, the company only has a select few physical locations located throughout Florida and Texas, but for those who do not live in the area, they can take advantage of an online-only program, which is designed to help anyone around the globe use its program from the comfort of your own home.

“powerful-combinations-of-fruits-and-vege” (CC BY 2.0) by comment-economiser.fr

How much does the Quick Weight Loss Center cost?

The costs of the Quick Weight Loss Centers greatly depends on the type of meals you purchase for your plan as all the packages will vary.  Looking at the website, they claim you can start for as little as $9 per week, but when you pay attention to the fine print, it says you will need to add in the costs of the supplements, making many who tried to program upset about this advertising claim.

From reading online, the supplements, when added to this total, can be closer to $70 per week or about $300 a month.  These fees would cover the supplements and the personalized support, NOT the food required to maintain your diet, and from what we read, these will be necessary to see results with the program.  For example, this image found online breaks down the prices of the company’s supplements and enrollment fees from someone who took a picture of the book inside of the clinic.

The at-home program, according to DietChoices.com will cost about $449 for a six-week supply.  You can also check out the price of the supplements and other related products on the official website.

With so many people sharing their costs online, we figured we would break down all of the information we found online and include it in our table below:

On this Yelp review for the Houston, Texas location, she claimed that the television commercial she saw, advertising 20 pounds for $20 was a “scam.”  When she received a quote, her total exceeded $500, stating she felt as if it was a program to just sell the company’s supplements.  Another reviewer on the page noted she was disappointed to find out she could purchase the same supplements online, up to $25 less, as the company was selling.

How does the program work?

The online-based program lasts six weeks and is designed to allow you to receive support from their qualified weight loss specialists via email or phone, all while following a specific diet plan and supplement regime.  If you sign up with a physical location, however, then you will be able to meet in person to discuss your results and goals as you participate three times a week.

Once you sign up, you will work with the center’s expert in order to create a personalized meal plan designed specifically for your body.  Consuming up to 1,500 calories a day, depending on your body profile, you will need to buy the foods according to the recommendations, which, according to our research online, can range from pancakes for breakfast to turkey and seafood for dinner.  They also offer its own line of protein bars, shakes and pills, all of which they highly recommend you take advantage of.  DietChoices.com broke down a lot of the foods found from the official recipe book.

As for the food you eat, the website doesn’t go into detail as to what you consume, but digging around online, we did find the plan tends to be a low-calorie, low-fat eating plan that caps out at about 1,500 calories a day.  Members are encouraged to use the company’s line of supplements and food, but it is not necessary; however, many do report it will increase your success with the program.  Many stated you could save up to 75% if you used Amazon.com or a related product once you knew the active ingredients.

As with other diet plans, there are a host of other rules, but this will greatly depend on your personalized plan as they are all customized ot each individual’s specifications.  One reviewer on this Yelp page said you cannot commingle proteins, and no repeating certain items, for example.  Others say you cannot consume alcohol, eat fried foods or refined flours or sugars.

The company claims if you follow your personalized meal plan closely, you can lose up to seven pounds per week.

Members are encouraged to exercise, but it isn’t mandatory.

Quick Weight Loss Center reviews

On this Yelp review page for the Houston, Texas location, there were more than 14 accepted reviews and 20 other reviews that were not recommended, with a cumulative average of 2 out of 5 stars.

The official Facebook page had more than 100 votes, with a 4.3 out of 5 star average.

The pros

The staff, for the most part, seems to be accommodating and very friendly at most locations.

Lots of support during the program, helping you reach your weight loss goals as you do have to come in three times a week.

The diet is very healthy and can help you lose more than just weight; it also helps drop your blood pressure and cholesterol, to name a few.

The plan, for most, seems to be workable and you can see great results if the program is followed.

The cons

The menu is very restrictive and often assumes you eat only food at home, not out to eat, even though the company claims you can “eat out.”

The supplements and program are very costly and not worth the weight loss.

Very deceptive television/radio advertisements.  Many say do not fall for the advertisements as they are not true; you will spend much more than the promotion amount.

No doctors, nurses or educated people on site — just the average worker with limited experience and/or education.

No cheating or reward days, so be prepared to stick to the diet 24/7.

No money back guarantee.

NOTE:  All of these pros and cons were sourced from third-party review websites and are not opinions of our own.

Tips you should know

The company, as per its FAQ, will offer you a guarantee, stating as long as you follow the plan as per the guidelines, they will allow you to continue the program at no cost until you have lost the proper amount of weight; however, this will not include the supplements or other weight loss products required.

In some cases, your health insurance provider may cover this program if it’s deemed a medical necessity.

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Profile by Sanford Cost

The Profile by Sanford, according to its official website, makes weight loss simple by following its easy-to-follow, sustainable and personalized meal plans backed by one of the nation’s largest health system.

Compared to other diets on the market, the Profile by Sanford diet wants to keep things simple through its nutritionally designed products and the personalized plan it creates for you.  Based on scientific evidence, receiving up to 100% of all vitamins and minerals you need in your diet, it’s known to be effective and sustainable when keeping a relationship with your expert coach.

“Henley jogs.” (CC BY 2.0) by @markheybo

How much does Profile by Sanford cost?

The costs of the program, as per the official website, will depend on the type of program you sign up for.  The “Employer Partner” and “Physician Referral” will cost $150 for the year or about $2.88 a week or the “Standard” membership, designed for those who do not have a registered employer or a physician referral, will pay $300 for the year or about $5.77 a week.

In some cases, they do offer discounts.  For example, in the past, they offered its $300 membership for $49 on Groupon.com and a $99 option in the month of January.

These plan fees will include the meal plans, an individualized coaching plan, lifestyle education modification guide, exercise tips, stress management strategies and long-term maintenance plans.  This fee will not include the food in order to lose the weight and will be considered an additional cost to consider, but as a member, you can receive up to a 20% discount on the meal products.  With their program, they recommend you budget anywhere from $40 to $100 a week, per person, when using the program.

On the official website, members can choose from more than 70+ products ranging from breakfast foods to entrees, shakes and desserts.  Depending on the product you choose, each one can cost $2 to $4.  While a membership is highly recommended, anybody can purchase the products on its own without subscribing to the program.   According to its members, these meal plans are a high-protein, low-carb based meal.

MeganCarter.Blogspot.com noted the costs of the products are not cheap, with a seven serving meal replacement soup/shake box retailing for $17.49, while a box of snack bars retailed for about $14.99

How does the program work?

Once you join the program, you will be offered a personalized meal plan that’s customized for every member that joins.  This means that a certified coach will tailor a plan that fits your exact needs in order to see the weight loss goals you desire.  As a member, you will also receive one-on-one coaching, a smart body scale with a home link bridge and discounts on more than 100 Profile-based products.

The program works in three phases:  Reduce, Adapt and Sustain.  During the Reduce stage, the first phase, you will be in what’s considered the active weight phase, and it’s designed to put your body into ketosis by eliminating your carbohydrates and sugar.  Adapt, the second phase, is designed to help you transition from losing weight to help maintain this new weight loss.  The final stage, Sustain, is designed to place all of the nutrition, exercise and lifestyle modifications into action.

Throughout the program, you can meet with your coach, either in person or in virtual ways, to help discuss your goals, track your progress and answer any questions you have.  As long as you’re an active member paying the annual dues mentioned above, you can have a dedicated coaching team.

Exercise is also an important part of the program, and the amount of exercise you need will all depend on your experience with exercise and your fitness levels.  The program will work with you to determine an effective exercise program that will work for your body.

This journal on Women’s Health Magazine does a good job explaining how the program works for the week.

Profile by Sanford reviews

The reviews were limited online, but we did find more than 60+ reviews on its official Facebook page, with a 4.8/5 rating.  From reading the positive reviews, many people loved their coach, the encouragement, life-changing results and the weight loss results.

With physical locations around the United States, we only found two actual locations with reviews on Yelp.  Both pages, one located in Frisco, Texas, and the other in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, both had one review and a five-star review.

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How Much Does NutriMost Cost?

The NutriMost program, also known as the NutriMost System, is a wellness and weight-loss program designed for people of all ages, often heard on the radio or seen in a newspaper advertisement.

The company distributes its system through its own weight loss centers and also licenses its products to chiropractors and other licensed practitioners to sell out of their private practice.  By 2016, the product, most of which were operated by chiropractors, was in more than 160+ clinics.

Created by Dr. Ray Wisniewski and founded in 1972, a chiropractor who practices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this diet plan involves restricting calories, using all natural supplements and making the necessary lifestyle changes in order to see results.

If implemented correctly, clients have reported losing as much as 45 pounds due to the body resetting its metabolism in order to reduce food cravings.

The company claims it’s designed to help keep your hormones in a narrow “Fat Burning Zone,” virtually melting away your difficult-to-lose fat areas.

“Juicy apple” (CC BY 2.0) by MaxiuB

How much does the NutriMost diet program cost?

According to our research, the official website does not include the official pricing, but digging around online, we did find through multiple reviews that the program would cost about $1,800 on average for the 40 days you’re on the program.  If you want to “expand” your days beyond this and try the diet again, you will be asked to pay an additional fee for about $1,200, a discount.  There are no monthly fees and once you’re done with the program, you can either sign up again if you didn’t see results or you can continue on your own using the same strategies.  However, once the program is complete, you will no longer be able to weight in or receive support from your local coach.

Before you sign up for the program, however, you will be asked to come in for a consultation, which, depending on the current promotion, can cost about $29.

On these DietSpotlight.com comments, for example, a few people, inside of the comment thread at the bottom of the page, said you should be prepared to spend about $2,000, which is about the same price you will pay for comparable diet products such as Skinny Up, Thinfinity and Lighten UP, to name a few.

According to the FTC, the company charged $1,895 for the program, and when signing up, consumers were not allowed to make any negative comments or reviews.  The FTC also noted the consumer testimonials being used were misleading as they failed to disclose that only some of the people used in these testimonials actually followed the system.

twistedaliceandhatter.wordpress.com, in her blog post, noted it as the “worst diet ever.”  In her review, she said she lost 22 pounds in 38 days, but she noted that while the weight loss sounds great, the diet itself was awful as she had to starve herself every day.  While the blog post is a few years old, she paid $1,500 for the entire program but did note you could pay $1,200 on day one if you paid in full.  In the end, she recommended hiring a personal trainer and/or nutritionist with that kind of money to learn how to sustain your weight.

How does the program work?

The program formula itself, like many diet programs, will not require any exercise or prepackaged meals.

Before committing, the company will first ask that you come in for a consultation, where they will evaluate your body and tell you the reasons why your body is reacting the way it does.  Using the “NutriMost Intelligence,” they will be able to create a personalized protocal exactly for your body.

Those who do sign up with then receive a multi-page book containing detailed instructions, food plans and recipes you can follow in order to see results, with most people claiming they have to follow a very-low-calorie food plan, about 500 to 800 calories a day.  Consuming these low calories, according to those who used it will create the perfect fat burning state, and even though your caloric intake will be much lower than the average consumption, your appetite will naturally be suppressed by the thousands of calories of fat you’re burning due to the program.  You will be able to eat any foods as long as they are on the approved list.

Aside from your new foods list, you will also be asked to swap out your personal care products to Nutrimost-approved oil-free products.

As you eat, you will be asked to record your food inside of your journal to track your progress in order to share with your coach.

NutriMost reviews

Via the Better Business Bureau, they had eight total reviews at the time of this writing, with an A+ rating.  For the most part, six reviews were positive and the other two were neutral/negative.  The positive reviewers said they saw awesome results, with some even able to drop their medications, while the negative reviewer said as soon as you’re done with the program, it’s easy to gain the weight back and the price wasn’t worth it.

The Yelp reviews were also limited like the BBB, with a perfect 5/5 review.  Many of the reviewers, like the BBB, said the entire program does work and you can feel much healthier after the program is done.

On its Google Reviews, the Penn Hills, Pennslyvania location had 26+ reviews with a 4.0 out of 5.0-star rating.

PissedConsumer.com had close to 40 reviews, with the high majority giving it a thumbs down; however, this website is dedicated to those who want to vent, so we do recommend looking at other review websites to make an educated assumption.

Lastly, on DietSpotlight, almost 40 users commented, giving the entire program a 2.8 out 5-star rating.

Tips you should know

In 2017, the FTC settled with this company, telling the company to stop “making misleading and unsupported claims about its technology and supplements.”  In the end, the FTC warns that while weight loss programs may be appealing, nothing will ever beat simple exercise and dieting.

The ZYTO scan, as mentioned above, will not take place until you commit to the program, paying the full amount.  There are no refunds once you sign the contract in question.

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Cost of Lowering a Basement Floor

Lowering a basement floor, often referred to as underpinning in the contractor world, is a process of digging out the existing basement floor and simply lowering it a foot or so.

This process, as you can imagine, can create more space, making it more usable and even adding value to your home.

“VFW Basement Flooring – Epoxy Vinyl Chip” (CC BY 2.0) by Decorative Concrete Kingdom

Lowering a basement floor costs

The costs to lower a basement floor can greatly vary as there are so many variables involved, including your geographical location, the contractor you choose, the size of your job, the complexity of the work, the pipes beneath the flooring that needs to be removed, how the floor is going to be lowered, your home’s condition and so much more.  With so many variables, again, it will be so hard to offer an exact estimate, but for a conservative estimate, based on the estimates we read online, you should be prepared to spend anywhere from $10,000 for a very basic job to as much as $60,000+ for a complex job.  Contractors warn you should be prepared so spend at least 10-20% on the engineering costs alone.

In a very detailed answer on Angie’s List, a member named LCD said you should be prepared to receive a larger range of quotes ranging from $9,000 for a bare bones job to as much as $40,000 for a job where everything is going against you.

One member on this City-data.com forum thread said he was getting quotes for about $20,000, but the costs, like we mentioned, would depend on the linear feet, to lower his basement for his home built in 1921.  On this same thread, another member chimed in and stated she paid close to $40,000 for a 982 square foot home in order to add eight feet ceilings.  This quote included the dig, concrete floor plus some reinforced footings.

On a Reddit.com thread, a member said his company did this job many times and the costs were about $15,000.

Steve and Rachel at OurOldRowhouse.com did a great job taking photos of their basement as it was being dug out by a contractor.  According to the top comment, someone asked her what the job had cost, and she had said it cost about $6,000 to break up the concrete, dig about 10 inches and pour in new concrete.  This didn’t include any plumbing components, lowering drains and/or moving lines.

The extra costs to think about

Demolition – This is a big one as contractors will have to use tools by hand to dig, break up concrete and bring in new gravel.  Being a labor-intensive job, the larger the job, the more you’re going to have to pay the crew.  The same can be said about the depth desired or type of soil.  If, for instance, dewatering is needed to soften the soil, then the time can increase, while bedrock, if present, could increase the costs by more than 50-75%.

Interior Finishing – Of course, these estimates are for lowering the floor only, and when the job is complete, you will be left with a bare-bones basement with a new concrete floor.  Be sure to factor in any interior finishes you need such as doors, flooring, paint, drywall and framing, to name a few.

Plumbing – Will any of the new areas require any sort of plumbing?  If you want a new bathroom installed in the basement, then the plumbing will need to be considered before the new concrete flooring can be used.

The condition of the walls – Deteriorated walls can affect your plan as these walls may not work as well when the new foundation is being poured, meaning the contractor will have to perform the job in smaller pieces.

Lowering a basement floor process

The first steps start with an architect or engineer, a professional who is going to draw up a blueprint, based on your specifications, for your contractor.  This paperwork will also be sent to your local zoning department for approval and based on their response, it will either be approved or the inspector may ask for changes before they give you permission to start.

Once your local zoning department issues a permit, the contractor will start by either creating a bench to help support the dirt underneath the foundation or directly removing the soil beneath the foundation wall while replacing it with concrete.  Also, depending on the elevation and your setup, at this time, the drains may have to be re-adjusted in order for the water to escape your home as the concrete is being poured.  At this time, all of the existing concrete will be removed, often broken up with jackhammers.

As this is being done, the foundation footings will start to expose, and as it does, small sections of soil around these footings will be dug out and a new concrete foundation will be poured to help support the home.

When the extended foundation walls are installed, an additional wall of concrete, referred to as a knee wall, will be poured around the perimeter, overlapping the footings to add even more support and strength.

Next, the interior of the home will be waterproofed and drain tile is often installed to help prevent any future seepage.  A dewatering channel, often installed on the newly created bench ledge, will also be installed to help capture any seepage that may come through the original foundation.

Lastly, a layer of gravel is poured, leveled and is covered by a vapor barrier and reinforcing grid, readying it for the newly poured concrete floor.

With so many factors, the time to complete this job will greatly depend on the size of your basement.  A small basement with no obstacles and very little repairs/modifications can take as little as a week, while a complex, larger-than-average sized basement with many unforeseen problems could take more than four to six weeks to complete.

Tips to know

Before getting excited about lowering your basement floor, you will first want to check with your zoning and planning department to make sure you’re even allowed to do this.  Even if allowed, you may be limited as to how much you can lower your floor.

A good contractor should always have a connection with a reputable civil engineer who is able to assess your structural and foundation situation before the contractor even thinks about starting the job.  Since the contractor will dig down deeper, the soil supporting the footer of your foundation may cause the house to fall down or do extreme damage, which could cost you tens of thousands of dollars, if the contractor doesn’t know what he or she is doing.  Typically, a contractor will remove the soil in small strips and lay concrete as beams across the basement floor to tie into the home’s foundation footers.  This is done to prevent the footers from kicking in and causing the damage as mentioned.

Do not plan on recouping much of your costs when thinking about the resale value as many real estate agents note you will only see about a 30-40% increase in value.

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