Any Dr. Glas****'s patients here? Have a quick question...

I got my approval letter this past weekend, so I called his office this morning hoping to schedule my surgery date, but was told that someone in the office had to look at the financial end of it and then a nurse would call me. She said it takes about 2 weeks. Did everyone else go through this, and if so, do you think there is anyway I can speed it along. I'm getting impatient, can you tell? Thanks in advance for any help!

Can't help you out with the waiting thing -- but did want to let you know what a great doc he is and his whole staff. I had surgery with him on 4/14 and am down 102 lbs. His staff and the staff at Sartori were wonderful!! Best of luck to you. Also, are you by any chance related to the Akerman that races late models? Janie Lap RNY 4/14/04 272/170/140?

Thanks for the reassurance Janie! I have yet to meet him, but I LOVE his staff, they are all wonderful! Rebecca in billing is AWESOME! My PCP from St. Louis wouldn't fill out ONE form for some stupid reason, so she called him and had it filled out and on her desk the next morning! What an angel! I'm not sure if we are related. Do you know his first name? If so, I'll ask my hubby tonight! Thanks again! Stephanie

Yes, Stephanie, this is normal. They first have to also get notified by your insurance company (no, they don't trust us to tell them or accept our copy of the letter) & then it goes to financial who decide how much, if any, you have to come up with before the surgery. I believe I had to pay $200 which actually later was refunded by Covenant. They will send you a letter (or maybe call) and your date may be in that letter, if I remember correctly. Sounds like a bunch of messing aroud but that's the way they work it. Try to be patient. I know it's hard. Dixie

Yes this is normal like Dixie said and I had to pay my deductible and this is just standard practice with them. Just be patient I know it is hard but it won't be much longer and you will be a much happier and healthier person. He is an excellent surgeon and Angela is so great she has helped me so much after my surgery and all the office staff is always willing to help and answer questions. You can call your insurance company to see how that is coming along and if your approved etc ask them how much longer til dr will recieve confirmation and then I guess you could call the hospital to talk to whom ever is in charge of the finacial aspect of it. Wish you well !!!!!!! Kim

Hi Stephanie, I too am one of Dr.G's patients. (haven't met him yet, though) I got my approval in August and I still don't have a date. But hopefully at the end of this week!! They got their copy of the ins approval and scheduled me right away (9/3) for the pre-op tests, chest xray, ultrasound, lab, EKG, overnight pulse oximetry. Have you done any of that yet? That is where I got slowed down, (again) Had to do 2 sleep studies and see the pulmonologist. I have newly diagnosed sleep apnea and asthma. I see the pulm. this Thursday for the follow up and hopefully clearance for surgery. My EKG showed a couple of abnormalities, so off I go to the cardiologist. He wants to do an echocardiogram and a stress test, BUT he is going on vacation so I can't get in for a month. Had those last Wed. I see him tomorrow for results and clearance. I was going to call yesterday and see if I could get at least a guess-timate for a date. For financial and insurance reasons I really need to have it before the end of the year. But I just couldn't bring myself to call. I remembered reading in your other post that you were going to call, and I did think about you while I was deciding whether or not to call, wondering what you found out. This is a big game of 'hurry up and wait". I have said all along, and firmly believe, that everything happens for a reason, but my 'firm belief' is getting softer as time flies by. BUT.....I AM GREATFUL that he is SOOOOOO thorough!!!! Hang in there, maybe we'll be roomies!?!? Sheila