Here's the story . . .

Hi All, My name is Janet aka Mousie. I was living in MI and moved back to CT (originially from CT). However, I already had my date for surgerry in MI. Soooooooooo, I had to fly to MI just for my surgery there with Dr. Wood. I did that this past Sunday. While in the hotel the day before surgery, I took the Phospho soda to "clean me out". I became very ill dizzy, nauseas, cold sweats, chills and aches. I got so sick, in fact, that I had to cancel the surgery. I thought it may have been a sign from God that it wasn't right to have it then and there and that I should have it home with my family and friends. I am so devastated that I spent 600 bucks to fly there and I didn't even get my surgery done. My insurance ended on the day of my surgery July 31. Now I am going on my husband's plan and who knows if it will be covered or if I will get approved. I hate that I have to go through the whole approval process all over again. We all know how bad it is the first time. Imagine having to do it twice!!! So, here I am, no surgery and wondering what the doctors are like here in my home state of CT. I love CT and am very glad to be home, but I know nothing about the bariatric doctors at Danbury hospital. Can you all share with me who your surgeon was if you had laproscopic at Danbury Hospital??? I am really going to need help with this process. The people on the MI board were very nice and so supportive. I hope it is the same way here. What surgeon is the most highly recommended for this surgery in CT. Anything you can share with me about your experience with your surgeon would be so helpful. I want this surgery so badly and I want to get through this second approval process as fast as possible. I'm sure you all understand. Also, does anyone have PHP insurance of New York or just PHP in general? If so, did they cover the procedure 100%? What did you have to do to get approved???? Thanks so much, Mousie ps Anypne want to be my angel???

Hi Mousie, First off, Welcome back to Conneticut! Sorry to hear about the troubles you had with your surgery. One thing nice about Ct. is that we are such a small state that just about any hospital is within a reasonable distance. I had my surgery in New Haven at St. Raphael's and it was great. Give your insurance provider a call and see what they cover. Hopefuly you can have your medical reecords tranferred to a doctor here and hopefully that will help you on your quest to have your surgery. Best of Luck and again Welcome home!

Hi Mousie I am so sorry about the troubles you went through but I am sure you will be in good hands in our Ct surgeons. I had Dr Aranow in Middletown , Ct at Middlesex Hospital. I am very pleased with Dr Aranow. Best of luck on your research and meet one of our CT surgeons Hope to meet you at Walk for Obesity on Sept 30th! Hugs Kathy K

Hi Mousie... What a shame that you had to cancel your surgery!! But welcome back to CT!! We have several excellent surgeons here. Of course I'm going to recommend Fairfield County Bariatrics, but I'm biased. I absolutely love Dr. Ehrlich, who did my bypass 10 months ago. There are three surgeons in the practice and they are all wonderful. Very compassionate, knowledgeable and on call 24/7 for any problem you might have. Their staff is fabulous and always there to help you out!! Here's their website: http://fairfieldcountybariatrics.com/ The first step is to call the office and set up an appointment to attend one of their seminars. If you go to the one at Norwalk Hospital (the first Tuesday of every month), you'll get to meet me and a few of my support group friends. You'll watch the presentation and then several of us postops tell our stories and answer your questions. After you have attended the mandatory seminar, you call the office and set up your first meeting with the surgeon you choose. Then on to your preop testing. It took me 3 months from the first seminar to my surgery date. You're going to love the CT board. We're a pretty close knit bunch always willing to help each other out. And we have functions (dance, picnic, etc.) where we can all get together and have fun!! Good luck in your search and I hope to meet you at the next seminar!! I would love to be your angel, just email me and let me know. Kim K.

P.S. I'm leaving for Canada tomorrow for the weekend so if you email me, I'll get back to you on Sunday night!!

Have fun in canada!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Kathy!! I'll take lots of pics and post when I get back!! Kim K.

Mousie, I have to agree, Fairfield County Bariatrics is a wonderful group. They really aren't that far from you either (which is nice). Dr. Craig Floch did my bypass on June 27th and was just so concerned about how I was feeling and did I need anything from him. I couldn't have asked for a better surgeon. No surgeon in that office has the typical attitude of "I am the surgeon leave me alone". Great experience. Just to show you how great they are I had an incident on a Saturday. I called the answering service and no one had called me back after a couple of hours. Apparently Dr. Craig was at a wedding and was trying to get to me. He finally got through during the wedding. What kind of guy would call in the middle of a wedding??? Can't think of anyone!!! Sooooo, I concure, that is who you should call. (I'm biased too) Jen

Good morning Mousie, First off- Welcome Home! I am sorry to hear about what happened to you. Give your provider a call and see how much they will cover. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! I too have to say that I recommend Fairfield County Bariatrics. I had DR. Neil Floch do my by-pass a little over a year ago. He was wonderful!! The whole group is great and they are always there for you when you need them. Best of luck to you!

Welcome home Mousie. Yes, I have found this board to be very supportive. I believe that if you asked anyone in the state how their particular surgeon was, you will not get a negative response from anyone. I have to tell you that in the 70's, we moved to Kokomo Indiana. Have yet to figure out why. My ex is from Benton Harbor. Everytime I heard Paw Paw, I would break out with "pickin up paw paws put 'em in your pocket". Michigan is a beautiful state but not Benton Harbor. I, too, was very happy when we moved back to CT. I feel bad for you for the difficulties you encountered. Things will get brighter! hugs, Linda