Having second thoughts on surgeon

Hello, I don't know if it's protocol, but what if you are considering changing surgeons? My date is 2 weeks away. I originally had planned on going with a more experienced surgeon, but was told by his office staff that due to my insurance company (BCBS) I would have to pay up front. As I was never notified about this before my consult appointment I was in shock. I am on disability and have little income coming my way. Dr. F was really great; He still talked to me and offered to 'hold' my check for 6 months until my Insurance co sent me the money to pay them and he didn't charge me for my office visit. However, when we talked he felt that it would be very difficult for me to get approved. I am really against having to pay for a bill before my insurance company even gets the claim as in my prior experience I do not get my money back from months up to never. I understand their position as it seems several clients of theirs with this same insurance has run off with the insurance money. But I could not afford to 1) Pay up front and 2) be out of network with more UPFRONT costs. Also since this doctor felt I would have a really hard time getting approved I was going to not pursue this surgery. Then the nutritionist, Karen, consulted with me and recommended another surgeon in their program that was in-network for my Ins. co but he is a lot less experienced. I met this doctor once in a seminar and once in consultation. He seemed very nice and intelligent. However I have all my tests completed (expect the pre-op blood work) and have been contacting their office for over a month regarding a specific test that came back with issues. The EGD showed reflux irritation and they took a biopsy. (I know I have GERD). I have asked several times 1) what the complete results were and 2) what I need to be doing to treat this BEFORE my surgery. I have YET to receive a call back from this Doc, even though his receptionist has stated she has asked him several times to review these results and contact me. I have since seen Dr. F with my mom regarding her colon cancer. When I saw him with my mom on a follow up he was really surprised I was approved so quickly and made a comment like: "I will bet my (something I don't remember) that Dr. D would not have got you approved. I would double check with your insurance." (Checked w/Ins. and they verified that I was approved). The next time I saw Dr. F (after he preformed surgery on my mom- all good thank goodness!) with my mom, he was wishing me the best and very pleasant. BUT THEN I get a call from his office stating he was offering to do my WLS since he worked on my mom! I don't know if this was out of concern for me or a competitiveness between Dr. F and Dr. D. I feel that 1) There is an ego thing going on between these two doctors, 2) I feel that Dr. F is much more experienced (1000+ compared to 125+) and 3) I am frustrated with Dr. D's lack of response. Due to these factors I'm not sure if I should switch surgeons. As I originally planned on having Dr. F perform my operation, I would love to go with him however I'm not even sure if my ins. would approve the switch since I was approved for an 'in-network' doctor. Also, it comes back to the fact that I would have to pay up front and my surgery would be delayed (which I have a time frame before my COBRA runs out). I am having my 'pre-op' jitters and would love some advice! (Saw the dateline program so now I'm feeling my mortality. Prior I never thought "I" would die.) If you read my profile you will see my surgeon listed. If you have anything positive to say about this surgeon please let me know (I know the other surgeon- Dr. F- is great)! Thanks to all! Jennifer Oh, and thank you Dixie and Jen for your advice regarding my prior post! Sorry that this is a long post

Hi Jennifer, Always listen to your "gut feeling"! Best of luck. Julie

Jennifer, I agree with the above poster. Trust your gut. Yes, Dr. F is awesome. No, i dont think there's an ego thing between them..because, and I dont mean to offend anyone, because I'm sure Dr D is a great surgeon....but Frantzides is the master. Thats just the way it is. And I"m not saying that other docs arent fantabulous...because I know they are...and if youre post op, you know that everyone believes her/his own surgeon is the best. But if youre having conflicting feelings, there is something your subconscious is picking up on that the rest of you just hasnt caught up with yet. Dont second guess that 'mother's instinct'!!!! It will keep you out of some mighty big trouble!! My advice, call Dr. F and talk to him. Find out whats going on. He has a humongous heart..maybe he loved your family and feels for you. That's the kind of person he is He'll be straight and honest with you 100 percent of the time...even if sometimes you dont like the answers!! Keep us posted!!! Love and best wishes Kathy aka Dixie ps...tell him his number one cheerleader Kathy B says Hey, you handsome hunk o' man!!

LOL Dixie- How did I know you would tell me this! Thank you Julie and Dixie! Yes, I was afraid that my instinct was telling me to switch doctors. I, unfortunately, don't think I can afford Dr. F. and I don't know how long it will be to find a 3rd surgeon Can I tell you my fear? That I will have complications. I have visions, really. I made the appt. with Dr. F, yet I kept telling my mom 'No, I think they will schedule me with Dr. D.' I also had a dream prior to decifering a surgeon that I would have bleeding- a lot of bleeding- from my gut and that my mother was talking to this blond lady about it. I kept thinking (in my dream) that when is she going to hurry up and take care of this issue. I wasn't scared in my dream and I didn't think I was going to die. But I've read the 14 comments from other Dr. D. members and it seems that 2-3 had some type of complications- they didn't list what type so it could have been due to other health issues or due to the surgeon. This, among viewing that dateline show, is what made me so jittery... Well, I've always been a little nervous since he's only done about 125 folks. Living out here in Aurora/Naper area they have the WISH center. This group is in network and last year my family and I went to a seminar. At that time we weren't ready. I actually called them to schedule a consult appt. before I ever heard of Dr. F, but I never got a callback from the Wish Center. So I looked up other surgeons via this website and the only one I felt confident to work on my mom w/out her dying was Dr. F (we were going to both have this surgery together). I think I will call my ins. co first to see if I can switch to an out-of-network surgeon and talk with Karen (both of these doctor's nutritionist/dept. guru). I will also talk with my dad to see if I can borrow money to go to Dr. F. Since my dad is against this surgery he may be willing to put money up for the best. Sorry, just typing away! Thanks again everyone.

I know numerous people who have been harassed by Dr. F regarding money. He told them one thing before surgery and then came after them with a vengance after surgery. I think Dr. F is a great surgeon but he has definate issues around money and arrogance. Just the fact that he refuses to align himself with any insurance company is a big statement in and of itself. If you do choose Dr. F, I would insist on getting any and all monetary agreements in writing.

Wow. I'm really surprised at the money harrassment re: Dr. F. I had emailed a couple of people who has my surgeon (who had complications) and it seems they were not of the surgeon which made me feel much better. I also called my ins. co and Iwould have to go thru the entire process again if I switched so I will be going forward on Nov. 22nd with my current doctor. Thanks to all for your advice! Jennifer