I heard something at work today.

I found out a girl working nights had applied with our insurance for wls and was denied. I'm kind of nervous about this information. If she was denied, (I don't know what her medical needs are) who is to say I will be. I am very anxious now. I'm still going to go ahead with it. But I hope and pray I won't be disappointed. I could probably get the money but I don't want to have to borrow that much money. Mary

Try not to get discouraged. You know every case is different. You also know you can appeal.

Howdy neighbor! I'm about a half hour east of you. Try not to worry. Apply and if it is denied, appeal it. We ended up having to self-pay the surgeon because the doctor we wanted was not a provider for our insurance. It required taking out a loan, but this man ended up saving my life when I had a complication. He was worth EVERY PENNY! Even if you have to borrow the money, this is an investment in your future. What good is money if co-morbidities have taken your life prematurely?? I see that you are going to St. Joeseph East. That is where I had my surgery (Dr. Steiner) and they were WONDERFUL. We were so impressed that when I had to have emergency surgery (unrelated to WLS) about 2 months ago, we drove the 1+ hour so that I could have it there. I had this surgery on Oct. 4 of 2005. I am SO GLAD I did. I can't even begin to tell you the difference it has made in my life. Wishing you all the best! Rhonna

Isn't Dr. Steiner a honey? he has operated on me three times and literally saved my life each time. he even calls me at home sometimes. he will start off by saying, I have been thinking about your problem and here is what I think. That is so sweet of him. When he did my bypass surgery, it just happened that he plays golf with the surgeon that did the reversal of the old JIB and bowel obstruction surgery I had. they consulted many times on me and dr. steiner knew exactly how I was laid out before he even got in there. he would see me in the waiting rooms when I was having my preop tests done and always come in and sit down and talk to me about what he was going to do.

Yup, I couldn't agree more! I specifically chose him over the other two older and more experienced surgeons because of a recommendation of a friend who had complications. It was his commitment to respecting her beliefs and his continual attentiveness to the situation and his driving determination to bring her through it that convinced me that he was the kind of doctor I wanted on MY side! Thank goodness I did... I suffered the identical complication and with what he learned from her situation, he was able to deal with mine much more quickly and more effectively. I could not have asked for a finer surgeon. And as with you, he never misses an opportunity to come and talk to me when he sees me at the counter. He has a level of commitment and genuine caring for his patients that is not often seen these days. And although it was one of his collegues at the other office that did my emergency surgery (non-WLS related), for my convenience he did the follow-ups for me at the bariatric center. I am SO fortunate to have had him for my surgeon! Rhonna