surgery update

My surgery has been postponed because of some system problems. I am planning to go to another doctor at a another hospital.

I am going in on friday with Dr. Valin. What are that system problems you refer to?

Hey Sher, I hope everything is okay, that was my hospital and I am alittle concerned. What is the system problems they are having??? I know others that will be coming there for their surgeries. Good Luck to you. Hugs KimC

My issues began first when I was told by Dr. Valin's office that they would not submit to my insurance company. They said that health net was requiring a 6mth medically supervised diet before info could be submited and that the last several patients with my insurance were denied. I talked with my insurance company and was told each case was decided on an individual basis. After a few days I told the office to please submit my paper work and they did and in 2 days I was approved! The second issue happened at the cardiac testing place where I was to have a persantine stress test(one where you are given maedication to simulate exercise so you don't have to go tredmill. I have severe arthitis and was unable to get in the position needed for test, they wouldn't even try, they said that the pictures would not come out. That I would have to have a cardiac catherization! Well I did not want that invasive test since I have not had any cardiac disease ,even though I am at risk. My first surgery date was cancelled. I talked with a doctor that I see regulaly up in the Hartford area and he made an appontment at their office and they were able to do the test by making some minor adjustments and the test came out fine. So another surgery date was made. I did everythiing I was suppose to do. The day of surgery I was there two hours ahead of time had an Iv started, was given one of preop meds and then left to wait. surgery was for 1:30 pm. By 2:30pm no one came to tell me what was going on. I went out to look for a nurse and was told THE DOCTOR IS STILL IN SURGERY!!! Well ok, I thought how much longer will it be? The nurse came back and said about another hour. By 4:30 pm I was still waiting I had to flag down another nurse on the next shift, she acted surprised that a patient was even waiting, they didn't know when the doctor would be ready. I had had enough and decided to leave,I told them I felt that I did not want a doctor who was in surgery all day to do my surgery because he would not be at his best and left. I never heard anything from the doctor or any of his staff when I went home. I felt totally ignored, and defininately not important enough as a patient. I have decided not to return and am persuing to have surgery at another hospital in the Hartford area. sher

Sher, I'm sorry to hear about your troubles.... I had to change Dr's at the last minute too.....(not as last minute as you though) Mine was for insurance purposes, I switched to a Dr. in network so I wouldn't incur alot of out of pocket expenses. It was quite easy and my surgery was scheduled and completed within a month. So don't despair...sometimes these things happen for a reason! God bless, Kelly

Sher..... Trot right on over to Dr. Robert Bell at Yale New Haven Hospital. I did alot of research before having my surgery and found Dr. Bell to be the BEST and most qualified to perform this surgery laproscopically and he has a great bedside matter too. Matter of fact, when I went to my first group meeting at his office, there were other patients there that also had trouble with Dr. Valin and ended up at Dr. Bell's office. All were very happy with Dr. Bell and his staff. I also have Healthnet and had no trouble getting approval. Good Luck!!