SURGERY CANCELLED AGAIN!

I was called Thursday afternoon at 4:30 and was told by my surgeon that the surgery had been cancelled AGAIN! I am still so angry that I am too bad for tears and could bite a nail in two. She told me that the Risk Management at the hospital had called her and they had decided to rethink the age portion of the surgery. Everything is still on go for the sugeries for people 55 and younger but for those of us 56 and older they want to look at! YOu all know the amount of money you have to spend ahead of time well now it's down the tubes. I had paid $250 for the dietician and exercise consulation, paid the anthesilogist $300, bought all kinds of protien, liquids for after surgery, vitamins. Now I will owe 20% of the upper GI and Xrays, 50% of the psych test and 20% of the heart tests. I am going to fight with the hospital today because I do not intend to pay for those charges and want my money back from the others. Good luck to rest of you. Those of you have sent me encouraging messages and well wishes thank you so much. Marty, I will be praying for you Wednesday. May God grant you all safe passage thru your journey. Glenn Gay Springdale

Hi Glenn, Sorry to hear of the trouble you are having, seems unfair that just a year should make such a difference. Have you thought about going to another surgeon. I know that my surgeon takes it on a case by case basis and if I recall correctly his cut off is 65 and even then he says he will still do the surgery if the person is able to withstand the procedure and of course has passed all necessary testing. Good luck.

DONT GIVE UP> Many people over 55 have had successful surgries. Age does not matter very much. You probably need to change surgeons and hospitals. They should be able to use the tests you have done already. My wife and I had our surgeries in Batesville, Ar. with doc Lambert. He will do surgeries on older people and the hospital is great. There are also excellent surgeons in Little Rock and Tulsa, Ok that do wls as well. You may have to travel, but I drove 90 miles and many people travel hundreds of miles to have wls. You need a back up plan. The first surgeon I went to was in Sedalia, Mo, but I did not like the hospital, so I went to doc Lambert in Batesville, and that was the right decision for me. Nobody said this would be easy. However losing the weight is great. I am down 95 pounds since my lap RNY oct 1 03 and I am very close to my personal goal.

Come to Russellville. You have everything done, all you would have to do is see the surgeon and schedule. There's always a way!

That's just WRONG! I'd be livid too! I'm glad you posted here, if anything, just to VENT. We are here for you, supporting you. I am sending you some good karma vibes right now, in hopes things will turn around real soon for the positive. Shelli Surgeon: Dr. Ozment Surgery: 4/14/04 HomeCity: St. Louis

Glenn, I am so sorry you are going through all this trouble. I agree with the advice in some of the posts about changing doctors. You will probably be able to find one that will accept the testing you have done and works with ppl over 55. It shouldn't be too difficult as you seen to be really motivated and have done your homework. Keep with it and don't give up. I am rooting for you. Hugz, Carolyn

Hi Glenn, How terrible for you I know how angry you must be right now. But take a deep breath and try to relax. You have jumped thru all of the hoops, you even have insurance approval. There are other alternatives. My surgeon's age cut off is 60, and BMI needs to be 55 or below. He requires all the same tests you have already had done and may accept those instead of you having to go thru it all again. I am scheduled for surgery on May 4. My surgeon is Dr. Spore at Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home, AR. The only thing is he does not do lap-rny just open for right now. However he does plan to do lap-rny in the future. Don't give up because of one surgeon's restrictions. I wish you the best and hope you find a surgeon that is willing to work with you toward your goal. Best of luck, Cindy N.