Anyone have HSMA?

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has HMSA I need a new primary care DR. asap.... My name is Amy i've lived in Hawaii now for four years (from Texas). I've been looking around this site for quite a while but haven't posted before now. I've been thinking about wls surgery for a few years and have finally decided that it is what I want to do. I'm still not sure what type of surgery i'm planning on though. The primary Dr that I have right now agrees that I need wls and should have no problems getting approved for the surgery and has given me a referral to Dr. Balfour (appt June 1st) . I also booked an appt w/ Dr Haung (appt May 10th) who is in the same office as Dr. Balfour. I didn't realize that I had to have two different referrals sence they are in the same office. (I think that it is because I have HMSA) So I called my primary Dr. to get another referral faxed over (I didn't think that would be a problem) but she said that she has to see me again before she will send the referral, this is fine and I really don't mind paying the extra co-pay but I do work and its hard for me to get off during the week and I was just in her office two weeks ago. The other thing is that since the day that I saw her two weeks ago she has only been in the office one maybe two days. The day after I saw her she went on a cruise and returned on 4/30. I called today and tried to get an appt but they said that she is going on vacation (cruise) tomorrow and is not going to be in the office until the 13th. So... in one months time she has been in the office for a grand total of one day and not even a full day at that. I have never been in the situation that I couldn't get into see the Dr. if I needed to, I can understand waiting a few days or even a week if I wasn't sick but two weeks. That kinda scares me what if I get sick or something?! Thats why i'm looking for a new Dr... Please help me...... any ideas would be awesome... Thanks Amy

I have HMSA and I had an adjustible lap band with Dr. Brandt Lapshies on 12/07/04. It took me a while to get in to see him. But once I did things moved along. I did not need any referrals from other doctors. Originally I was under my husband's HMSA, but he retired on 10/01/04 and I had to switch to City & County HMSA. Because of the impending switch I was told I could not be authorized for surgery under one plan and transfer the authorization over to a new plan. So I had to wait until the switch, and then about a month to get a new number, which happened around 11/15/04. Because I was ready to go and they had a couple of lap bands scheduled, they pulled me in for 12/07. Dr. Lapschies is expensive and I suppose that is why I don't see too many people on this board who have had him. Of course my changing plans may have effected my coverage. I might have had better coverage under my husband's HMSA then I had under mine, I just don't know. Other people in my support group reported having better coverage, so it's possible. My experience with Dr. Lapschies was excellent. I had a flawless surgery and I am very happy with the results. After reading Lap Band boards I see that people around the country generally feel that you will not get restriction from surgery until you have had a couple of fills. I had great restriction from the day of surgery, only having one fill to this day in July 05. From talking to Dr. Lapschies, he said that examining a patient and knowing their body type, does not allow him enough information to decide what type and size band he will place in you. He has to wait until you are on the table and see your insides to determine which band is right for you. I feel he made a good choice for me and it has made it easier for me. Also, unlike bypass patients I do not have to take heavy duty vitamins or worry about future nutritional deficiencies. No matter what type of surgery you have I know that Dr. Balfour will not do Laproscopic. Having had open and laproscopic I feel there is no comparison. The recovery from laproscopic was a snap. Good luck on whatever decision you make and welcome to the OH board. Aloha, Paula Aurio

Hi, I have HMSA HMO that requires a referral to see anyone other than the primary care Dr. I want to talk to the two different Dr's because one does open and the other lap, just to get some ideas about the differences. I did not know that anyone on island did the lap-band, thats my first choice, I will check out Dr Lapschies for sure. I talked to one dr from Cali and he wanted a very huge fee upfront. He used to come over here once a month or so but they said that he was now flying his patients to Cali for the surgery. The cost of the flight, room and board is covered by the fee, but still I would have to pay for my husband. I would rather have it done here or for that much money I could have it done back home in Texas and take my whole family. Thanks so much for the info. Amy

The doctor from California is Dr. Cirangle. Many people on this board have used him and liked him. A couple of people on the other Hawaii board: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Hawaii-OSSG/ have used him for the lap band. Another Doctor you should check on is Dr. Fowler at Castle Medical Center. He just put in a lap band for Jackie Faitau who visits this board. I haven't heard from her since her surgery, but I believe she was his first lap band. Aloha, Paula