Doctor Questions

I'm in the process of being approved through SHBP.  I have UHC-HRA.  I have completed the 6 month PCP diet and am on my 3rd visit to the counselor.  I asked my nurse last week if it had to be 6 months of 6 visits and she said 6 months not visits or 6 months of support meetings.    I asked for this in writing, but no one seems to have it in writing(anyway that is another story).  I'm just thankful that they are now approving this.

I have an appointment with Dr. Macik 4/27.  I'm having RNY unless he does not agree with that decision for some reason.

Does anyone have a list of questions that I should ask the surgeon?

When did you have to pay the program fee?

Thanks for all of you information and to the ones that made SHBP wake up and start doing this for our health.

Linda

Here are some of the questions I asked the dr, I'll try to think of as many as possible, but I'm sure I'll forget some that I asked and I don't have my paperwork with me:

How many deaths?
What types of complications has he seen?
How much of the intestine does he bypass?
Keys to long-term success and staying healthy despite malabsorption?
Typical length of hospital stays?
What type of staple line/how is the pouch separated from the stomach?
Are patients sent home with drains typically?
Does he insert filters to prevent pulmonary embolism?
What is the size of the pouch?
Gall bladder removal?  If not, does he prescribe ActiGall?

That's all I can think of for now...good luck!

edit: fix typo

Thanks so much for your reply.  Great questions.  I'll take them with me.

Don't have to worry about the gall bladder-had that out years ago.

Who is your doctor?  I see you are coming up soon.  Good luck with your surgery.

Linda

If I'm not mistaken I think there might be a link here somewhere with questions to ask at consults. I might be imagining it, but it wouldn't hurt to look. Knowledge is power. :) My surgeon is Dr Khan, who is new in Dr Williams' practice. Dr Williams will be assisting. And I will be passed out from nerves if nothing else!

Dr. Macik's $250 fee is paid when you are ready for them to file your insurance.

A small price to pay.  There was a thread about doctor program fees the other day.  Dr. Macik's is a bargain comparatively speaking.  They say it's to file your insurance.  And you know what?  I totally agree with the fee.  It costs them money to file insurance...office staff tied to the fax machine faxing your paperwork...paper...phone calls...etc.  What would happen if they did all that (for no fee) and then the insurance denied?  And then the patient never followed thru (via fighting insurance, self pay, etc) with the surgery? 

Just rambling aloud...mom and I were discussing this the other night.

I read that thread. That is when I saw the $250 fee.  I would gladly pay someone $250 to deal with the insurance.  That is like my worst nightmare.  Do they file your insurance after the consultation or do they wait until you have completed all the requirements for your insurance?  I am very excited about my appointment. 

My counselor/psch.'s office keeps trying to cancel my appointment this month.  Was scheduled for last Tuesday, then today and now Monday.  He is going out of town.  I explained  that they had to see me sometime before the end of the month.  I don't want to have to start this over again.

Thanks for the response.  I'll be following your progress.

Linda

They won't file until you have completed all insurance requirements and they have all the documentation of such.

Sorry the psych office keeps changing your appt.  Hopefully, they won't cancel the Monday appt and you'll have it out of the way.  Good luck!

-TS