Question about Northwestern Memorial
I went to the seminar at NMH in Chicago on Tuesday. They said that they will look over the application packet that was given at the seminar and determine if I am a candidate for weight loss surgery. Has anyone that had their surgery done there now how long that takes? On a positive note, I will be able to use all of my tests that I had done a few months back and might not have to redo the nutritional consults either! Yippie!
I am going through the process at Northwestern. There are several reviews of Dr. Nagle and the process at NMH in the "find a surgeon" section of this site. There are some reviews of Dr. Hungess, also.
I will tell you that the process is a bit slow (I submitted my application in February and, if my insurance approves it, will have surgery in August). Most of the slowness is just in waiting for appointments - some of the affiliated providers are very busy, and since I work full-time, my availability isn't all that great, either.
I have heard some comments about the amount of "hoops" that NMH makes you jump through, but I am a huge advocate for patients being as involved in their healthcare decisions as possible and think that the high patient participation expectation is a positive thing. I also feel positive that their process is built on the fact that, the more you know and the better prepared you are, the more successful you will be. The waiting time has just provided me with more time to read, research, make changes, plan, and set goals.
(Full disclosure - I work for NMH, but in a completely different department. I do not have any patient contact and have nothing to do with the bariatric surgery program professionally).
I will tell you that the process is a bit slow (I submitted my application in February and, if my insurance approves it, will have surgery in August). Most of the slowness is just in waiting for appointments - some of the affiliated providers are very busy, and since I work full-time, my availability isn't all that great, either.
I have heard some comments about the amount of "hoops" that NMH makes you jump through, but I am a huge advocate for patients being as involved in their healthcare decisions as possible and think that the high patient participation expectation is a positive thing. I also feel positive that their process is built on the fact that, the more you know and the better prepared you are, the more successful you will be. The waiting time has just provided me with more time to read, research, make changes, plan, and set goals.
(Full disclosure - I work for NMH, but in a completely different department. I do not have any patient contact and have nothing to do with the bariatric surgery program professionally).
Hi Lisa,
I had my surgery at Northwestern last October with Dr. Eric Hungness. It did take a while to get through all the appointments, tests and classes, but between their process and what I learned on OH, I felt extremely knowledgable and well prepared for the surgery and the changes I would need to make in my lifestyle.
Because NMH is so big and busy, you need to get the phone numbers/names of your contacts and don't hesitate to follow up with them if you don't hear back about your paperwork/appointments. I had to make several calls to ensure my paperwork/insurance issues were handled in a timely manner.
Now that I'm 8 months out, I still feel like I have a support network I can turn to. I still see my surgeon or his nurse practitioner, nutritionist and medical doctor who specializes in bariatrics at regular intervals.
Feel free to PM me if you have other questions, or would like to chat. Like another poster, I also work at NMH. I work in one of the ICUs.
Good luck with the process!
Stephanie
I had my surgery at Northwestern last October with Dr. Eric Hungness. It did take a while to get through all the appointments, tests and classes, but between their process and what I learned on OH, I felt extremely knowledgable and well prepared for the surgery and the changes I would need to make in my lifestyle.
Because NMH is so big and busy, you need to get the phone numbers/names of your contacts and don't hesitate to follow up with them if you don't hear back about your paperwork/appointments. I had to make several calls to ensure my paperwork/insurance issues were handled in a timely manner.
Now that I'm 8 months out, I still feel like I have a support network I can turn to. I still see my surgeon or his nurse practitioner, nutritionist and medical doctor who specializes in bariatrics at regular intervals.
Feel free to PM me if you have other questions, or would like to chat. Like another poster, I also work at NMH. I work in one of the ICUs.
Good luck with the process!
Stephanie
I am going through the process at NMH. I do not work at NMH but an affiliated group of NMH.
It can take a while to get all the necessary appointments done I'm still in the process of getting mine done but part of that is working the appointments in with my schedule after work. So far everyone I have dealt with has been very professional and been great in answering all my questions. I have my first visit with the NUT next week. I've had my first visit with the NP, all my labs, and my psych eval so far.
It can take a while to get all the necessary appointments done I'm still in the process of getting mine done but part of that is working the appointments in with my schedule after work. So far everyone I have dealt with has been very professional and been great in answering all my questions. I have my first visit with the NUT next week. I've had my first visit with the NP, all my labs, and my psych eval so far.
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