East Carolina Bound???

Well, I have to start all over again. This will be the 4th surgeon I have started the process with and have had them say, you are not a candidate for our program, try so and so!! This is supposedly due to my health problems, but my docs think they just don't want to risk their records. I meet all the requirements, and my health factors are not anywhere as bad as some people I have heard. I don't have to get prior approval with Medicare, which should SHORTEN my wait! LOL. Murphy's Law in abundance!!!! I have been to so many seminars, I could run one myself! Okay enough of the pity party! My reason for this post is to see if anyone has had any experience with East Carolina University and the doctors there?! This is my next destination in this quest. Do they have a long waiting list??? Also has anyone had their surgery a long ways from home. I am looking at maybe a 2 1/2 hour drive, maybe more. What is that experience like?? OF course I will go to the other side of the continent if need be. Just wondering if there is some tricks that would help conquer the distance problems. Also thanks everyone here for all the sharing and support!! This is a wonderful site filled with very fantastic human beings!!!

Hi Cathy. Sorry, I can't give you any information on East Carolina, but have you looked into Dr. Fernandez in Winston-Salem? I had surgery with Dr. Fernandez on July 6, 2004. I am doing great & have not had any problems. Everyone & everything about his program is wonderful. If you are interested, you can call his nurse Susan at 716-6902. Good luck to you. Julie -63 lbs.

Yes, I have tried him, and have talked to Susan several times. He was my second choice and refusal. I have been a patient in the Duke Health Care system for years, however they will NOT take any patients that have Medicare! Susan wasn't to keen about that factor (taking in Duke's poor so to speak) for coming there! She many times mentioned that phrase. After I sent in my packet, she quickly called and denied me based on my health problems. I got more cardiac testing done to show how I should pose very little risk, due to my health problems. She received a detailed letter from my cardiologist clearing me for surgery. The cardiologist called them as well as my primary doc. Then her response was I didn't have the required paperwork for Medicare. I had 2 letters of medical necessity from my doctors and a 10 year weight history from my primary doc. But that wasn't sufficient enough according to her! I spoke with Medicare's review board and they stated I had more than enough documentation, but they couldn't give prior approval. The last time I spoke with her, she very curtly informed me that there was nothing they could do for me and if that changed SHE WOULD CALL ME (she stressed those last words very strenously)! This was my second disappointment. Baptist was my second choice, I had heard wonderful things about their program, and the first couple of conversations with Susan she was extremely nice. It just didn't end that way. In her last refusal she said that their program was only 1 year old and that I needed to go to a "teaching (meaning state funded) hospital" and that I would probably have to go to another STATE! My refusal was totally financial, Dr. Fernandez made the comment when talking with my cardiologist that they had not been paid by ANY of their Medicare patients! I really wish things had worked out there!! Thanks anyhoo, Julie for the input and encouragement. Take care!! Cathy

I am really sorry to hear all of that Cathy. You said that Susan told you that you would need to go to a "teaching hospital", isn't that what Wake Forest is? My dealings with Dr. Fernandez's group have been nothing but wonderful & I am so sorry that you did not have a good experience with them Please keep us posted & I hope everything works out for you. Just remember that everything happens for a reason & something better will come along. God bless & take care, Julie

you could always try dr man or dr naziri....in greenville NC they work together..... they take medicare and medicaid.... i would call and talk to Ursella...if ya want the number just email me

just a heads up i have heard some *rumors* about ecu and dr chapman... I know right now that some of his patients are bein advised not to talk to him or others... so all i am sayin is do some research.... and agin these *rumors* that i heard could be true or not true so just check on it...

I had surgery 3/17/04 with Dr. Chapman at ECU. Their program is the oldest in the state. It does have a waiting list because it is very good. I have lost from 293 to 161 in exactly 8 months. They have a good screening process and good aftercare. The hospital is very good and I attend the support group fairly regularly. I know they have had patients from even out of state, so they could probably give you some advice. I got on the list 12/02, 1st saw the dr. in 10/03, was approved by insurance in 01/04, and had surgery 3/04. I think they have gotten 2 new doctors, so the wait should not be as long. They return your calls and are available day and night. I recommend them very highly. Drs. Chapman and McDonald there are two of the seven doctors of excellence named by BC/BS in NC. I think that says a lot.

Thanks everyone for all the info. You guys are great!!!! My doctor at this time is trying to contact ECU to set something up, since I seem to be having no luck at all upon first glance of my medical history. Keep your fingers crossed! The good thing that came out of my latest rejection is that they DID refund my $500 application fee!!! (Bills can be paid!!) They had said that it was under no cir****tances refundable, but they did this time. It leaves me with a lot better feeling about the doctor. There are a lot of docs out there that see this surgery as the next big money maker, and a lot want to jump aboard the wagon, so to speak. And to be honest I was so very impressed with this doctor, and just knew he was the ONE! Probably why I got so whiny with the rejection. LOL He sure was a handsome young fella! From meeting him at the seminar, I would reccommend him to anyone. And he did get all of his training at ECU!!! I keep reminding myself that everything does happen for a reason, even if we NEVER find out the reason! I am working hard on pulling up the proverbial bootstrap, but one of the seems to be stuck under my chair leg!!! I will get there eventually! Everyone take care, and I hope to be talking to all of you soon!! If I can offer any support, I will be there!!

Hi Cathy, Dr. Naziri did my surgery. I love him to death. He has a wonderful bedside manner and I trust him wholeheartedly. We have a great support group too. Feel free to look at my profile and email me if you would like. Jodie 235/139/128

Iwas on the 'waiting list' at ECU for almost a year. When they contacted me for the seminar I was already post op. My surgeon, Dr Paul Enochs has a practice in Louisburg, NC. His telephone number is 340-0000 and I know that just this past wednesday he accepted a patient that has had a heart attack and has stents. It can't hurt to have a consult. Good luck. Donna Ferguson www.picturetrail.com/donnaswls