Dr. sonnanstine pt's

Valkenk and Andrea and any others that may have questions on delays.  I was just thinking....Gtown has their own website.  It's constantly monitored by their office,  if you are not connected perhaps you can call the office and get the info.  The insurance coordinator, nutritionist as well as nurses answer questions all day long.  I don't have the info for the website but I know it's easy enough to get. Check the link to their website about..
Thanks for posting and keep us informed..good luck!!
Brenda

Thanks Brenda.  Friday is the day I'm making my weekly phone call.  So I'm hoping to talk to somebody then. 

I was beginning to think that maybe it was just me having problems getting in touch with them. I do feel a little better knowing it's not just me. 

I'll have to check out their website.

Val

Let me see what I can find out as to how their system works.  Then maybe I can see what they do..many places will contact you once they hear from your insurance company.  Please remember the girls in the office as well as Steve, (Dr. Sonnanstine's nurse) are working very hard to get your insurance info together and turned in..setting up appointments and classes not to mention they have a brand new doc to work with.."Dr. Sonnanstine" is an awesome surgeon who is very demanding and an extreme perfectionist..the exact reason I have so much respect for him.  They only started working with him this last month, I am sure they are trying to learn his way as well as he is learning theirs.  But as surgery goes I know he has a very good feel for his OR team.  I talked to him yesterday and again this morning, he has been on call all week, not to mention his all day surgery on Wed.  He was so pumped and felt very good being back in the OR after a month off work, he is feeling very good about how things work down there and that says alot..though you may not know what's going on there.  Hang on and give it a few days.  they will take care of you..and again don't forget their website, I encourage all patients to tap in to that.  As I mentioned before they can give you all types of info from there.
good luck!!

Thanks Brenda.  I attended a seminar on April 17th and turned my paperwork in at the seminar.  I talked to Jennifer and Crystal both a couple days later with some questions I had, but nothing since then and still no first appointment.  I have emailed them both to inquire about it.  Hopefully soon.  Thanks.

Hey JoJo, things work out for a reason ....all will work out in time, it just seems the wait between is grueling.  I waited six months and thought I would die before I got an answer.  ( my surgery was done in Dayton, Ohio..not by Dr. Sonnanstine)  I realize now that most of the wait is because of insurance.  They honestly have no new answers.  I am not as familiar with how things are done there and am not at all involved with Gtown but would be happy to play liason if anyone needs extra help in getting answers.  I always discuss this with Dr. Sonnanstine explaining my relationship with a patient if called upon. Contact me direct if you need help.  I know one of his patients had surgery this past Wed.  I helped her through the system and another one is coming up.  Remember though I am not an employee of the doc nor am I any part of Gtown..but I am a patient advocate.  I will do my best to help explain things or give you extra support..that goes for anyone needing help
by the way the reason your post caught my eye was the criminal justice info you placed on your signature.  I also have a degree in criminal justice, ..as does my daughter who is working on a masters.  ...she is a police officer who specializes in child advocacy as well as juvenile law.  My husband used his as a police officer and homicide investigator (retired)
good luck with where ever it leads you!

As far as I know at this point it's not the insurance.  I have only went to a seminar 2 weeks ago.  I turned in my packet that day along with my insurance card.  Since then I have already obtained all of my paperwork that I needed from my PCP.  I'm just waiting for them to call me to set up my first appt.  She said it would take about 1 1/2 wks.  I figured that was on the long side of what it would take, but I guess it's even longer.  I really liked Dr. S from what I seen at the seminar.  I felt like the others were kind of rushing through, but everyone got their questions answered.  I guess I just feel like I'm already falling through the cracks and I haven't even gotten started yet.  I was hoping to get surgery this summer, but it doesn't look like that will be happening.  I have everything completed except what Dr. S/insurance requires.  I've already had my TSH drawn, took the H. Pylori test, got my diet paper filled out, my referral from my PCP, and all other bloodwork done.  Now I'm just waiting on them.

I have no clue where I'm going with my degree.  I want to be on the office side of things.  I've got 2 more semesters for my AAS in Criminal Justice, then 2 more semesters for my AA, and then transferring to EKU's online program which should take 3 or 4 semesters I think.  I will eventually get there though lol.  Right now I have a 4.0 GPA.  My advisor is really pushing me to get my bachelor's so that helps.

And that person was ME!!!! Brenda.....Dr. S. told me you called and asked about me....and I told him I had talked to you  too.....Thank you so much!  I have to get on the website and sing the praises of Georgetown and Dr. S.  That was the absolute best experience I have ever had with a doctor and his staff...They are without doube the BEST in my opinion.  And you are right the nurses in the bariatric unit are still learning his ways and it is a process....Thanks again for everything you do to help all of us.  Hugs to all....Donna

I have to say I have made several attempts to contact George town and have them call me back from April 1. I waited and waited and no response. Finally I went back to Tri State Surgical and don't you know I am will be having my surgery in the next two weeks! I a having a band put in and I am super excited. I have to say every time I call my call is answered by an actual person , unless the office is closed, and I get a return call with in an hour. I was very pleased with my appointments also, I waited between 10-15 minutes in the waiting room and Dr July spent a good 20 minutes with me answering all my questions and talking with me. She made me very comfortable with going on with the procedure. I guess God does work in mysterious ways. She isn't the Dr I originally went to see, it was Dr S, but I am now so happy with having her as my surgeon!

Good luck to all with whom ever you chose!!!

Good luck, I really had never met Dr. July.  I remember when she started. If I remember correctly I was told she worked on a fellowship, that's awesome..  I don't believe she had done any surgeries at St. Luke as of the time Dr. Sonnanstine left though...it takes awhile to get your privileges ..licensing.etc.  then she also was on maternity leave.  until fairly recently I think...I like the young surgeons as they are very into the newest technology.  I am sure she will be awesome once she starts in the OR and gets a few bands and bypasses under her belt ....I hope I can meet her one day, I think it's awesome to see more women in the industry.  I work with female surgeons at the breast center..they are all awesome!

good luck!!

Hi Brenda,

Wendy here. Patrick and I both have met all of the doctors but Dr. Smith and they are very professional I really liked Dr. Brown and Pat really liked Dr. Moon. I will be traveling to G.town. Because of where Pat's job is located for the time being he will have to stay up here.(He's a little down about it though). I was impressed by how positive the other doctor's spoke of Dr. Tom and how clearly uncomfortable they were by the whole situation, you could also tell by the looks on their faces how upsetting and unfortunate it has been for everyone.

Hope all is good in Goshen