Just wanted to say hi to yall....

Hey everyone... I've kinda been lurking around for a couple of weeks, but I finally decided to join OH and subscribe to yalls lil message board. My name's Dana and I currently live in Hawaii. So far I've spoken with my PCP (I have HMSA) and he has informed me that WLS is the best thing for me (I'm 24 and already having health issues). So.....now I'm stuck with the semi-daunting task of acutally finding a surgeon that I feel comfortable with. I will not go to Dr. Cirangle (my friend had lapband done through him) due to that fee he charges above what insurance does not. It's not so much about the money itself I just don't see the point in paying that much more when I know that a lot of other surgeons cover the entire proceedure. I did call Queen's and spoke with someone from the Weight Loss Program but it was a !2 month! waiting list just to get in to a MEETING and SEMINAR. I wanted to know how all of yall got around to actually getting the ball rolling with getting in touch with the surgeons to schedule and first appointment?? So frustrating because I know that everything takes so long to go through with insurance. Sorry if all these questions were asked already...I only went back about 6 months on the message board. But I hope to get to know yall really soon...I've seen some of the results on the page and I'm oh so impressed!!! Y'all have been such an inspiration to me =) Dana

Who is your PCP if you don't mind me asking? I'm looking for a new Dr. Thanks Amy

Hey Amy, My PCP is Dr. Blane Chong. He really is a great doc...and plus too he just got a new office (he switched over recently from being a part of the Queen's Clinic doctors to being a private doctor) so his scheduling is pretty flexible. If you call in the morning they can usually schedule you for whenever you want to come. Plus, I know I said it up there, but he really is a great doc. He always takes the time out to answer all the questions in the world that I ask and leaves you a cell phone number that you can always call to reach him if you need anything. And he does his own labs so it's like a one stop kinda thing, you don't have to go somewhere to get your labs drawn and then another place to get another type of testing. Check him out, but he's in Kaimuki above the Long's right by Sacred Hearts School. I live all the way by ewa but I drive out there to see him because I can't even think of any doc who's as good as he is. Hope it helped =) Dana

I hear ya on Cirangle... I was trying to work that one out through my company benefits package, but it seems there is no way to.. My company would pay his fee IF I worked full time for a year already and then committed to two more years.. no problem EXCEPT I cannot and will not work full time because of my children. .... Soooo... I am currently seeing Dr. Huang. But I'll be straight up with ya.. I'm looking for alternatives. We'll see what happens.. I may look at the other Dr. in her office, it's just that I DO NOT want to deal with an open, and that may be my only option. It's either that or sit on a waiting list FOREVER!!! lol... My other big problem is I have to commute in from Kauai, so some of the surgeons that require umpteen seminars or visits are out of my league. I'm thinking next I need to try out of state. Hmm...

Hey Katie... My friend had surgery through Dr. Cirangle in October and to me the whole process with her just seemed so rushed. I think she went to his seminar and 3 weeks later she had the surgery. Sometimes things like that just make me feel like it's all about the money...especially considering that they want it upfront in addition to your insurance pay out. *Maybe just my overactive imagination though...lol* I'm looking at Dr. Murayama, my PCP highly recommends him and has two other patients that went through WLS with Dr. Murayama. It's just so hard to contact his office, how did you get in touch with them? The last number I had listed forwarded me to the Queen's Weight Loss Program with a 2 month waiting list just to attend a meeting about options. That was frustrating...lol. I guess I'm at a stand still right now, I'm really trying to get the ball moving quickly though. Think I'll call my PCP on Monday to find out if he can contact Dr. Murayama's office for me. Dana

Hi Dana! Welcome to the Hawaii OH !! I just thought I would try to clarify Dr. Cirangle's upfront fee. I had Lap RNY on January 10, 2005 by Dr. Cirangle. I had to pay $6,400 2 weeks prior to the surgery. This amount is not in excess of what the insurance covers, it is actually his fee for the surgery. I received a reimbursement from my insurance company of $5,900, which I thought was pretty good! I guess in his defense, I just wanted to clear up any misundersttandings about his fee. Also, his fee does include aftercare for as long as you desire. I asked him on my last visit, and he told me that he would continue to see me for as long as I wanted. I do see him every 3-4 months. Hope this helps!! Have a great weekend! Aloha, Pat

Thanks Pat!! =) I just don't think he's the doctor for me, just hearing about some things my friend had told me. *Shrugs* Plus he's not on the island which bothers me even more. Dana

Hey Dana, Been off the boards a few days, sorry! But in response to how to get ahold of Dr. Muryama, I'm not sure HOW I did it??!! lol.. BUT, what they told me was that I had to go to the seminar in order to do ANYTHING with them, and to call that queens education hotline or whatever and try to get in. From the seminar, they will give you a packet with all the requirements, and information in it and you can set up appointments from there. I just can't fathom following all his guidelines, meeting after meeting, after meeting since I would have to fly in for each of them. It's too much. At that point I probably would have paid off Dr. Cirangles retainer!! lol.. As far as the cost for Dr. Cirangle, if you don't mind me hijacking your thread for a moment - Pat - how long ago was your surgery?? I shoulda looked. I guess I can do that when I get out of here - but when his office called me in response to my online request for information they told me that the $4000 was above and beyond what my insurance would pay.

Hi Katie!! It's no problem, I'd like to help in anyway I can. As I mentioned, I had lap rny on January 10, 2005 at Pali Momi Hospital here on Oahu. I did a lot of research. and he was highly recommended by a pediatrician who practiced on Oahu. The pediatrician had lap rny by Dr. Cirangle here on Oahu. I heard he was approx. 300 pounds and was doing really well. Believe me my decision was based on his expertise, but I also knew that the other surgeons required you to attend a bunch of seminars and also required that you see a psychiatrist numerous times. For myself, I did not want to do this. I felt that I had done enough research and placed my trust and my life in Dr. Cirangle's care. I had my surgery on Monday morning at 7a and because of complications from scar tissue from a hernia surgery, the total surgery time was 4 hours, 2 of which he spent untangling the scar tissue from my intestines. So this was completely an unplanned complication. He did 15 patients the week that I had my surgery, and I was his first patient. I know that this must sound horrifying!!! But I can honestly tell you, that he continually checked on me during the day and night in between surgeries. He would always come to visit me, although late (sometimes at 11p). He was always very attentive and caring and supportive. No question was too minor for him to answer. In fact, on Thursday when I was supposed to be discharged, I developed a low grade fever. As soon as he was informed, he immediately ordered a cat scan because he wanted to make sure that I did not have a leak. At the time, I was a little perturbed because it was midnight. But later I realized that if wasn't so concerned, I could have possibly gone back into surgery, or even died. He is very cautious and never takes any chances. I realize that he is also based in San Francisco, but he is always available 24/7, either by e-mail or he gives you his personal cell phone number. I have on occasion e-mailed him and always received a response. If I felt it was important, I would call him on his cell, and either he would answer or I would leave a voicemail and he would get back to me the same day. I understand about the advance payment. I was a little surprised, and in my case I guess with my insurance I had to pay $6,400.00, I notice with most patients they pay $4,000.00. I'm not sure about how they explained it to you. But as I said he does not receive the insurance payment. The reimbursement goes directly to the patient. So in my case, of the $6,400 that I paid upfront, I received a check from my insurance company in the amount of $5,900.00. So I felt that the $500.00 that I actually paid was more than worth it, since I was reimbursed $5,900.00. As far as aftercare, he comes to Hawaii every month for his support group meeting at Pali Momi and also to have his followup checkups with his patients in Hawaii. I see him at least every 3-4 months. Since I'm over a year post op I asked him for how long he would continue to see me, and he said that he would continue to see a patient for as long as the patient wanted. I have also met 2 of his patients that had surgery the same week that I did. Actually, they both live here in Kaneohe on Oahu. One lady had the lap band and other person had the lap rny. I have also been on the OH board since before my surgery, and unfortunately have seen that some of the Hawaii patients have some real problems after surgery. I can tell you that as long as you follow Dr. Cirangle's instructions, you should not have any problems. He is very thorough with what you can eat and drink and the amounts. It is just up to you if you are going to follow his suggestions. I strongly attribute my problem free post op period to my simply following his instructions. Of course, if you have any questions or want to deviate you can always get his opinion. Katie, I'm a true advocate for Dr. Cirangle and have recommended him to a number of people here in Hawaii. In fact, he told me that he used to live on Oahu and decided to move to San Francisco to learn more about bariatric surgery. He wanted to be able to give the people of Hawaii the best skills and care available. I know that some feel that he might be rushed, and sometimes comes across as being impatient. But he is truly a caring individual and is only looking out for his patient's best interest. I think that the main thing is that you keep an open line of communication with him. If you have any questions, just ask and you will always get an answer. Oh, one more thing! As far as my approval period. I contacted his office in August, 2004. After completing the tests he requires, and seeing a psychiatrist once. I received approval from my insurance company, and was scheduled at the end of November, 2004 for surgery on January 10, 2005. Another thing, Marilyn who handles the insurance for his office takes her job seriously. If she knows that there are unreasonable delays involving the approval by the insurance company. She will go to bat for you and make many calls herself until she gets results. Sorry, I was so long winded, but I hope this helps. If you like please feel free to call me. If you e-mail me at [email protected], I will give you my phone number. You can even call me collect. Have a wonderful week and best wishes in making your decision. Aloha, Pat

Pat, wow! I missed your post until today.. thanks for taking all that time, energy and emotion to write the response to me!! I talked with my insurance about him on Monday of this week and they told me that they pay him the fee for the surgery, and that they know he charges "several thousand above our re-imbursal"... I'll email you some more questions I have for you though... At this point, I'm 100% in limbo!! It's CRAZY Oh my goodness... I think I'm belaboring this thing far greater then I have to, but I guess that's the way I'm made. I actually put in a call to Dr. Fowler - I'd heard of him, but wasn't able to track him down until I got a message from a lil birdie in my email! So... his co-ordinator is checking with my insurance right now... I have two poss. leads in California - though that's going to wind up costing us significantly, and chances are, because of the cost I'll end up having to do it by myself.. without my husband there! We've got two young kids and it would cost us around $2500 in plane tickets alone to go together. Sooooo I'm still making a million calls! Dr. Fowler sounds awfully promising, and IF my insurance will work out, and I did call them today, and they told me HE "only takes PPO, not HMO" which is what I have... but that means that HE can change what he accepts, can't he?? It's not as though the insurance doesn't accept HIM, right? Insurance is NOT my specialty. I don't know much about it at all. Read my other post on here for tonight about "being bad" lol... you'll see what I mean!! IF I can get in with them, I will have my surgery "in the June group"... he he .. I love it! How cool is that? So, the search goes on.. So many hoops!