Way down.....I am so depressed and angry!!!!

I am so frustrated still no hospital that Dr. hargroder can perform my surgery at.......... I have been approved for a month now and still no surgery date!!! I am anxious, sad, frustrated, mad, angry, and aggravated all at the same time............ I have been at this for way to long.....I call the hospital, they say they accpt my insurance, I call surgeons office they say hospital is wrong...I call Neweigh and they do not even return my calls.... I am thinking of switching surgeons....in good ones in Lafayette, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge area? Has anyone switched surgeons before and about how long it took from switching tohaving surgery? Thanks... Tama

I don't know which hospital your surgeon uses, but I have a great deal of admiration for Dr. Karl LeBlanc in Baton Rouge. He operates at Vista and Our Lady of the Lake for Bariatrics. If you're interested in a complete recommendation and my experiences, please email me. Once approved, the process should go fairly quickly because another surgeon would just have to put you into their schedule. My best to you in your journey, Frances

Call Dr Richardson at Ochsner. I went for consult on 11/2/04 and had surgery on 12/21/04. They are great. Not like some of those cattle barn practices that put you through a lot of BS.... But you have to decide that you will do whatever you need to to have this. If you already have approval, I don't see any reason that you would have to wait long for Dr Richardson or Dr Kennedy at Ochsner The number is 504-842-4070. Ask for Deanna Tillery or Melissa Wolf. There are 2 surgeons there that do RNY and Bands. I had RNY and have lost 75 pounds.... No issues Good luck

Tama, Why can't your insurance company help with this issue? They can tell you which hospital and doctor you can use. Is it that Dr. Hargroder just doesn't have privileges where your insurance is accepted. I wouldn't trust any doctor's office to deal with Blue Cross. There are so many different plans that they get them confused. Do you not have a provider directory? Ask your insurance company to send you one or guide you to an online resource they have.

Hi, yes my insurance company is telling me the hospital is a "in network" at riverwest, then Riverwest is telling me they acept my insurance, but the surgeons office keeps telling me they do not. And I am missed informed. I just found me another surgeon, I have an appointment Monday. Thanks

Good for you, souds like they where giving you the run around.

I agree with Body4Life !! I'm a nurse who does inpatient postop care for Dr. Richardson's patients.... and I HOPE to be one of them by Christmas!! He has an amazing record, and I've admired how FEW of his patients develop complications. That's who I plan to use. www.ochsner.org/bariatrics

Try Dr. Oconnel with the Renew program in New Orleans. They are a wonderful staff!!!! Good Luck to you!