YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, so today I go to orientation for the new job. It was fairly boring, as most orientation days are... and then we get to the benefits part... The benefits woman in HR tells me that I should make an appt with my PCP on Sept 2 (benefits start Sept 1) so that I can get the referral to the surgeon asap! WELL, I have already scheduled for the seminar to hear about the surgery for Aug 23. The HR woman even told me I should hurry to get the surgery in ASAP, since we don't know what changes will take effect Jan 1, 2006.... kinda makes me think she knows something "secretive" yanno? There is no waiting period, as long as I show proof of prior coverage! The benefits cover the surgery 100% with NO DEDUCTIBLE!! All I have to pay is the co-pays for the office visits!! NO added charges for a private room either! All I need now is a PCP who I can live with... I've already picked the surgeon... and I work at that hospital, so I know it's good care post-op. Only big problem is that I know that the residents make a lot of mistakes.... so I want to refuse care by the residents.... but I don't want to make my surgeon mad either... anyone ever done that before (refuse to have residents care for you)?

WooHoo!!!!!! I am so happy for you.

Kat Congrats on the new job. Hope your wls journey is smooth sailing! Debbie

wtg hun, i am so happy for you!!!! god bless and good luck on your hunt for a good pcp. lori

hi, kat, you might make your md mad by refusing, but its your life at stake, you must be talking about tulane, is your insurance first health? i to just started new job to get insurance, write me if you have time , im a nurse also.. good luck , how exciting!!!!!!

I just started at Ochsner. We get a LOT of the Tulane residents (they do 3 mo here, and 3 mo there) so same set of docs, different hospital. It's nothing personal, all docs have to learn... I just don't want them learning on me... (besides, as a nurse, I spend enough time catching their errors when I am working... I don't want to have to worry about it when I'm the one who is "sick" too).

Kat, I had surgery with Dr Richardson on 12.21.04. I also asked a dear friend who is a practicing physician in Manhattan NY at Lenox Hill about residents/ teaching hospitals because I had simialr concerns. He told me that he prefers to work in a teaching environment because the residents many times catch his errors. I will also tell you that Dr Richardson is very meticulous in the surgical suite and is in total control. He even likes to position the patients himself. I am glad you are going with him, and you will be pleased with the staff nurses in his area as well ( Deanna and Mellisa). Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions. I had my first consult and had surgery within 6 weeks. But I had already had a lot of things done. Very glad you dropped Dr O. I have read some profiles of his patients on here that would make you cringe..... As far as after care, I like it very much and Dr Richardson warms up a lot after surgery. He is a typical surgeon though.. very dry. But I was not hiring him for his personality. He is really a te*****al guy all the way which is fine by me. I have had not one issue with nausea, pain, anything. Hope you get scheduled soon, and maybe I will see you at the support meetings. Anne in Metarie (-83 in 7 months)

That's great to hear Anne! WOW 83 lbs down already? I can't imagine being that size again... I mean I would like to, but it just seems like a daydream still... then again the surgery does too... so far away still. I too am very impressed by Dr. Richardson's skill. I've seen his work and how VERY FEW of his WLS patients have complications. It was after working with him and his patients that I decided to choose him. I work on the unit that does the inpatient care for his group, so I already know the quality of his nursing staff. I sometimes work as the charge nurse, so I have to "stay on top of it" as it were... so I know who I can count on. It's more the resident's mistakes that worry me... and in honesty, my co-workers are amazing at catching the errors before they hurt patients... I guess I'm just scared overall and looking for ways I can reassure myself about my safety. I have an initial seminar with Dr. Richardson on Aug 23, then I have to see my PCP for a referral. Hopefully I can make my first appointment with him by Sept 15. As for support group meetings, I can't wait... I'm working with a group of ladies here to start an OH chapter too... I'd love to have you join us! Look for our posted info on the Aug 13 meeting.

Congrats Kat! I know things will all work out for you. Let me know if there is anything I can help you with. You'll be there before you know it. Rhonda

I am so happy for you!!! Hope all goes very smooth for you!! JC