My mixed review of interactions with Dr Bayless and his office. In June of 2026, I had orthoscopic surgery of my knee for a meniscus tear. I had a pleasant first time visit with Dr. Bayless. During this visit he took plenty of time to thoroughly explain how the surgery would be performed and expected recovery. I only had to get pre op exam, then surgery would be scheduled. I did delay scheduling surgery, so there was a period of time between first appointment and surgery scheduling (my choice). Following surgery scheduling date set, I was told that I needed to come in for one more appointment to go over preop information. Then received two emails. One was a consent for surgery assistant to help during surgery. (I had been informed that he used one, so not surprised) The second was a bill for $450 which had a due date prior to office appointment. I decided to just wait until appointment in 2 days to fill out form and pay at the office. This is where things started getting strange. I received a phone call and messages saying I needed to fill out the forms and return them with payment or I would not be kept on the surgery schedule. I explained that I had an appointment in 2 days and was planning on taking care of it at the office. I was then sternly informed if I did not do this that I would be removed for surgery schedule. When I arrived for my appointment, the front desk had messages on my chart saying I had to sign forms and submit payment prior to being seen. (I had chose to go ahead and submit payment the night before appoint online, so that had already been done). I went in for my second appointment at the office. This time I was seen by the surgery Assistant. Honestly, it was like a replay of prior explanation by Dr Bayless of the surgery. I had surgery as outpatient procedure and surgery went well. I was told that normal recovery was three days, no limits or restrictions after surgery (other than keeping bandages dry). Thank goodness that I do not have a job in which I was expected to return to three days post op. I had to keep a walker or cane close by me for over six weeks, because my knee was swelling so bad and it froze in whatever position it was in for any period of time. My third appointment at the office (first post op) was with the assistant to remove stitches. I told him of my issues and he said give it some more time. My fourth and final visit is why I am writing this review. During this visit I was informed that I had to pay another $485.16 for non-covered insurance amount. I ask if the prior $450 amount had been applied to this balance. This is when I was informed that the first $450 payment was to cover assistant fee and that it did not qualify for insurance coverage. It was an "optional out of pocket payment". Surgery would not have been done without use of assistant, so not optional. At no point had I been informed that charge was not covered by insurance. I reread all paper work that I had signed and it was not in any of the paperwork either. For me it is too late because I have already had the surgery and Assistant was used during surgery, but just want to warn others that this is an extra uncovered charge of $450.
My second issue if my poor recovery experience. I was made to believe that three days post op I would be back to mobile. At my six-week post op appointment, when I saw Dr Bayless, I was told that I may need physical therapy or injections to help things get back to normal. I was also told that my weight made it harder for knee to recover. First, yes, I am overweight. My weight was not an problem prior to surgery in estimated recovery, but now that I am still having problems it is.
I am now three months post op and final getting around without walker and cane on standby. The knee still aches and swells, with too much standing, but finally getting better.
To summarize.
Expect to pay an extra uncovered out of pocket expense of $450 for surgery.
Do not count of Three day back a work post op. read more
