Help Please. Switching Surgeons. Your experience/advice.

Have any of you decided to switch surgeons mid stream? What I mean by this is that I'm in the middle of my 3rd and final appeal. If and when I am approved I'm not sure if I want to stay with my surgeon. I am going to a informational session with another surgeon tomorrow night and think I will make my decision then. I would like to know what happens if I get approved by my insurer and then switch surgeons. Do I have to get re-approved all over again? This is such a tough thing. I've been appealing since May of this year and I think I'm going to be approved on this appeal. I would hate to switch doctors and have them deny me. Have any of you done this? I need all the advice you can give me. Thanks, Gina B.

Hi Gina, I've not had to switch surgeons because I love mine, but, if you were to call around, I'm sure the office staff would be more than happy to help you with your questions. Dr Aranow's office is always pleasant and will answer such questions. He's got a great seminar (I have a feeling the you're going to his tomorrow night) and I was sold on him after his talk. You can wait until tomorrow to ask him, or Lois, his nurse that is there with him signing in people, or you can call his office and explain to them the situation and see what they say. Stacy or Lois would know. 860-347-9167 Did you sign up for his seminar before hand? You have to be on the sign in list to attend. If you didn't know that. Then you sign in when you get there. Good luck with everything, especially your appeals. If you have any questions regarding Dr Aranow, don't hesitate to write me. Paula

Yes I switched surgeons after I completed everything. It did not change my approval with the insurance comapny, but I did have to attend the new Doctors info seminar and do a program with their dietician for a few months and also see another specialist that I had not needed to see before. Each Doctor has their own requirements for surgery. This cuased me to wait another 5 months to have surgery. But, I am glad I switched and it was worth the wait. Sher

Yes I switched surgeons after I completed everything. It did not change my approval with the insurance comapny, but I did have to attend the new Doctors info seminar and do a program with their dietician for a few months and also see another specialist that I had not needed to see before. Each Doctor has their own requirements for surgery. This cuased me to wait another 5 months to have surgery. But, I am glad I switched and it was worth the wait. Sher

Gina: I, too, switched surgeons in the middle of my process. I, too, had denials, then got different insurance carrier an was approved. I was able to us most of my preop testing (because it was within a year since having them done) with some of it to redo through my new surgeon's office (pulmonologist and psychologist). I love the surgical group I ended up using. Fairfield County Bariatrics. They use 2 hospital, 3 doctors, nutritionists available for consult, 2 psychologists available for one on one sessions, 4 support groups available monthly run by the psychologists themselves. My doctor is Neil Floch. Great guy... great surgeon. If you would like more details email me and I will send you the info. I also would like to offer you a name for your appeals. Roberta Apte. Primo with appeals. Very high, if not 100% success rate overturning denials for surgery. Again, If you need more info on her... send me an email. I can send yo all the contact details. Good luck with your search and appeal. Towanda

Why are you switching? Who are you considering switching to? You may have to consider that you will have to go through that doctors office protocol as far as meeting attended, consults with his chosen doctors. Just something more to consider. I personally love my doctor and wouldn't switch. I have 1 month of nutritional counseling left and then I am off to insurance for approval. Woo Hoo.

Do what you have to dear... You must be totally comfortable with your surgeon. I think that is the first most important thing once you decide surgery is for you. Your life is in their hands and you need to feel safe in those hands. I totally agree with Paula. I felt the same way with Dr.A. Do your research and make sure you are picking the right Dr. for you. Hugs, Chrissy