every emotion there is

I was suppose to have surgery today.  They just told me last Friday (after all the expensive testing) that it was postponed for 12 months). 

I have fibromyalgia (FM) which has many illnesses.  Chronic pain being number one.  They canceled because of this. 

I'm to upset to tell my story now, but I will later.


Can anyone tell me how I update my status of my surgery?

Also, anybody out there that has FM that was able to get one of the bariatric surgeries?

BEWARE of ST. VINCENT HOSPITAL in CARMEL, INDIANA.  They knew they weren't going to let me have surgery, but told me they were and had me do all the expensive preop testing, doctor visits, pain therapy, etc. befort telling me.  I was just notified last Friday.  That was 10 minutes after they called me to say I was moved up to 10am instead of noon.  I met all criteria.  My insurance approved right away, but they backed up because of my FM or some financial scam.  I had read about this on this very site.  I didn't pay attention. Please pay attention and save money.

I am so so sorry you are going through this.  I can't believe that they did this to you.  Can you appeal the decision?  Did they know you had FM before hand? 

To change your status go to my account, than click on the my status tab and you will see everything there.

((((HUGS))))  Hang in there, we are here for you!

Thank you so much.  I need support right now.  I have not slept well at all since the happened.

Yes, I was very upfront with all members of the Bariatric staff and surgeon staff of my chronic pain and FM.  This was my thrid Hospital/Bairitric team to go throu the process.  The first didn't work out becauseof the flood here in Indiana this past Summer. They were concerned about the FM, as well.  The second surgeion was afraid an FM patient. So, I was very very upfront.  I had the surgeon say she was okay, the nurse coordinator, etc.. The physchologist recommended that I see a pain therapist twice monthly to improve on adaptively managaging my pain, for which I agreed and did.  I explained to him and new therapist all methods I have tried and still excercise today over the past 15 years or so.  Me and my Rheumatologist.FM, Neurologist/Sleep Specialst and Internal Medicine/PCP all agree that RNY is the next step for me to lessen the arthritis pain and possible help the Sleep Apnea, GERD, etc..  So, yes, my family and I are extremely shocked and dismayed.

My son is writing the director for an appeal.  It is not right for them to schedule all the expensive preop testing, etc. and cancel a few days before the surgery date.  I lve 1 1/2 hours away, as well.  I was up there 3 times where they had the opportunity to tell me.  I told the nurse coordinator that I went to the pain therapist, etc..  We revieved my medication last Tuesday. They had no problem.  All of the sudden they do.

I found a forum here for FM and RNY patients.  So, so people have undergone the surgery.  I have to find a surgeon close to Indiana that will do mine.  If I get the money.  I am depleted.  My work LTD ends Janaury 31, 2009.  I will continue to have insurance through them but it will be COBRA.  Also,  I was awarded SS Disability the past December after a 2 1/2 year wait.  However, It can still be some time before payments start and medicare.  I have not yet received details.  I told the hospital this.  I probably shouldn't havedone this.  Maybe that is why the did it.  All down to money for them.

thanks for hungs.

need to rest now.

People like you and knowing that somehow this is God's plan (not the devil's doing) is the only way I have peace. 

We have about 8 inches of snow since late last night and it is icing outside again.  It would have been hard for the family to get to the hospital.  

I cant believe that they already had you scheduled and then moved it up and then canceled it.

Good for your son for writing the letter.

I am so sorry.

It IS God's plan and everything happens for a reason but that still does not take the sting out of it.

(((HUGS)))

Hi Amanda,

Thanks for hugs and thoughts.  It does help.

Yes, it stings.  The pocket book too.

They should pay for the preop testing and exam I had.

Yes, I try not to question his plan.  If it was for Jesus carrying me these last 4 years, I would not have made it this far.

Thanks,
Karen
butterfly hugs

That's so wrong !!  I'm so sorry to hear that.

Unfortunately, with WLS becoming so popular, I think a lot of hospitals and clinics are merely jumping on the band wagon and coming up with less than adequate programs offering the various surgeries for the sake of making money. 

Over the past year, I noticed that there are more and more ads on TV and radio about different clinics offering WLS. And as time goes on, and more hospitals and clinics jump on the band with the WLS,  it seems that we are hearing more and more horror stories of botched surgeries and scams.

It is something that we, as the patients, need to throughly investigate prior to choosing which hospital or clinic we plan to use.  As tempting as it may be to go with a hospital or clinic that promises quick results and quick surgery dates, it is for our own safety and well being that we make sure that the hospital or clinic has a flawless reputation and track record AND offers a good pre op and post op program. I was fortunate in that I live close to the Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH) which is rated second in the country for bariatric surgery.  For anyone who lives in the eastern PA area, beware of some of the hospitals and clinics that are jumping on the band wagon. I've heard similar stories as this unfortunate person experienced.

I wish you the best of luck.... but don't give up.....

kim

I am very sorry that this happened.  I would MUCH rather my surgeon err on the side of safety and caution though.   Maybe they thought you FM was not that bad...and they had to do further tests to determine if they could operate.  If the Dr does not feel surgery is safe for you...then be glad they canceled it.

For the Record...St Vincents Hospital in Carmel, Indiana in a Bariatric Center of Excellence.   They meet and surpass all of the strict criteria for that ranking.  They do over 100 surgeries a month and have one of the busiest and best rated bariatric units in the nation. 



That's so wrong !!  I'm so sorry to hear that.

Unfortunately, with WLS becoming so popular, I think a lot of hospitals and clinics are merely jumping on the band wagon and coming up with less than adequate programs offering the various surgeries for the sake of making money. 

Over the past year, I noticed that there are more and more ads on TV and radio about different clinics offering WLS. And as time goes on, and more hospitals and clinics jump on the band with the WLS,  it seems that we are hearing more and more horror stories of botched surgeries and scams.

I understand what you are saying.  However, I have three expert specialist:  Rhuematologist/Fibromyalgia, Neurologist/Sleep Specialis and my internal medicine doctor (been with her 20 years) who have worked with me dilligently over the past 3 years espeially the last year to get me to the best physical/phsychologiscal state I've been in ffor a long time.  I have worked with 2 pain management thereapist to get my pain to the best level possible.  We all agreed that RNY surgery was the next step and I was ready.  I discussed this with the surgeon, nurse coordinator, pshychologist and therepist.  Everything was approved and ready to go.  

But to your point of the busiest center.  I agree.  Beginning to see it as like a puppy mill, but for obsese patients.  I only had a couple of minutees with the surgeon.  I was upfroont about FM.  
this was there concern at the end.  However, I am the one going thru the lifestyle change and pain. Not them.  I trust my team of specialist.  They didn't take the time at St. Vincent to read the medical records that I gave them on day one from each of these doctors indicating I need  bariatric surgery. 

They breacht that getting insurance approval is the hardest thing to get.  Not true.  I got my approval almost immediately.   Bariatric office didn't respond to it for a month.  

God Bless 

Hi Kim,

I hear you.  I'm so glad you had a good experience. Patients have to be very very careful who and the hospital they pick for WLS. 

I did a lot of research.. as the next post mentions, St. Vincent is rated 100%.  Dr. Inman is a top notch surgeon.

However, you have to babysit the whole network - there is the Surgeons office, the hospital, the Bariactric Center and whatever doctor they recommend you see.   The coordination is where there problem lies or their setup for financial gain.  As the other reply post says, this center does many (beginning to think too many.. over schedule like a hotel or airline over book) surgeries earch month.  They only have one coordinator.  She is overworked. 

My point.. They made a mistake in scheduling me for all these expensive tests which my insurance has already processed some and paid, scheduling me for preop and other classes, schedulling me for surgery and then canceling me a few minutes after they called to move up the surgery.  They argued with me that they didn't get the status update from my pain therapist and they did in December.  This was in plenty of time to notify me if there was something they had concerns with,  I was up there three times in which they could have told me. 

Okay, I am tired and in pain right now so mus rest.  Be on later.

Karen

I have FM...why in the world would that be a reason NOT to do the surgery? I am outraged!!!
I would totally fight this. Especially if the INS already approved this. Screw that.

What is going to change in 12 months? In 12 months you will have to repeat all your tests. Please tell me you didn't have to pay out of pocket for your pre-op test and such.

OH MY GOD.....girl you better get on the phone and make some calls.