Which Doc?

Hey guys i know this board is pretty quite but i know a few people out there read so here's a question, I was just told that i now have Diabetes, PCOS,Sleep apnea is just around the corner and high blood pressure, high cholesterol and really bad edema on one leg and of course water retention. Well nothing too bad but hey i just turned 36 and have been overweight since birth so i'm tired. I have heard that Dr Tang is now doing surgery and was wondering if anyone could get in to see him or if you still had to wait for Dr Amson? I am on his wait list but my first appointment isn't till next year as my Dr made me wait 2 years while i tried things his way, well on his way i weigh more and i'm sicker way to go Doc lol. I looked into going out of country but every office i called said no to signing the out of country forms so that was a dead end and self pay just isn't an option so any advice that anyone can give me would be great thanks for letting me ramble Elisa

Hi Elisa Sorry to hear about your troubles on Out Of Country. Have you checked with your family doctor to fill out tha application for OOC ? Maybe if he filled it out for you and back it up with as much documatation ( all test results ) Plus you should includ a letter from youself about your struggle to find a doc who would fill it out for you ? Yoy never know it might work. Good luck and keep us posted . I had surgery in Seattle in Jan 08 approved by Out Of Country.Take care Sharon

Yes I heard Dr. Amson has around 1,000 people on the waitlist. If you need some help with the out of country application e-mail me privately and I can try and help you. It looks like you may be a candidate as you have several co-morbidities that may help you get approval. You need to get a specialist like the sleep apnea doctor or endocronologist to fill out the form. I also went to Seattle for the RNY and MSP approved my out of country. Good luck and let me know if I can help in any way. Sim White 62 inches gone since June 26/07 RNY June 26, 2007 Seattle, WA- Dr. Hunter-Virginia Mason Hospital, HW 323 lbs; SW 313 lbs; CW 185 lbs, GW around 150 lbs

I too have approval for out of COuntry. I was fortunate and found a surgeon willing to complete the forms for me. I would agree that anything is worth a try but it is a specialist who needs to fill out the forms. They will not be accepted when completed by a GP. I am having my surgery on June 17 at Virginia Mason in Seattle. I am thrilled with the facilities and so far thrilled with the staff. It is such a different system than we are used to in Canada. I too had seen Dr Amson and am still waiting for a date from him. I will cancel my next appointment when my surgery has been completed. I am way more comfortable with my surgeon at Virginia Mason than I was with Amson. I actually was not thrilled with him in the least. I would only have gone to him if I had not gotten approved for Seattle. . Interestingly enough I had 2 different surgeons complete the forms for me, one was Woodhead and I was denied and the other was Menighetti. I actually think Menighetti has an in with someone because from what I hear it is his patients who are getting approved for the surgery in Seattle. . I remember reading on site a long time ago...you need to advocate for yourself. I fought this battle for 6 years and am finding it a bit overwhelming to know that I will be on the other side in less than a month. 22 days to be exact!

Hello I`m so happy for you. Dr Hunter did my surgery on Jan 15/08. The staff in the hospital were great. Nothing like here. When you buzz for a nurse , they come . They help and never made you feel they were in a rush to get out . You could not ask for better care. They are quick to get you in. I arrived at 7am for check in. Waited about 10 min and was called for pre-op. I was in the OR at 8:30 am. I never even had time to read my book. I told them , in Canada I would still be waiting to get into the pre-op room. Good luck and I know you will be happy with your new life. The shopping for new cloths is great LOL. I have lost 67 and a half pounds to date. Sharon

can somebody give me more information on what 'out of country' is? i've never heard of this... thanks guys!