Patient Advocates...
Hi All,
Just wanted to share:
The full story is in my Dr. Testimonial in my profile...but here is the gist...
I finally got my consult. I went in and as I walked out, I was more confused than ever. I had no idea what I needed to do or what would come next. My insurance company was saying I needed a 6 month diet and my surgeon was insisting that it was 12 months. He even gave me a recent rejection letter.
But wait...I had called twice and had confirmation that it was only 6 months. 
The next day, after I got over my little rant, I decided I had done too much research to give up on this practice after one visit. I also liked the surgeon and the nutritionalist. So I called. It took me a couple of people to get to Eileen, but I finally found my advocate.
In a nut shell...she told me what they needed and how to proceed. She also spent a couple of minutes just talking to me about the procedure. Not the surgery (she understood that I had done that work) but rather the process I would be going through before and after the actual surgery. She explained the insurance stuff and the programs.
Yesterday, I dropped off all my paperwork to her. She spent the next few minutes going over all the things that I need to do while we wait. She gave me specific directions and made sure I understood them.
It is kind people like this that keep these practices going. If you know Eileen and see her, make sure you smile and say hello. She works her butt off very quietly and, in at least my case, kept me with the surgeon I want to be with. 
Thanks for listening.
Dave
The next day, after I got over my little rant, I decided I had done too much research to give up on this practice after one visit. I also liked the surgeon and the nutritionalist. So I called. It took me a couple of people to get to Eileen, but I finally found my advocate.
In a nut shell...she told me what they needed and how to proceed. She also spent a couple of minutes just talking to me about the procedure. Not the surgery (she understood that I had done that work) but rather the process I would be going through before and after the actual surgery. She explained the insurance stuff and the programs.
Yesterday, I dropped off all my paperwork to her. She spent the next few minutes going over all the things that I need to do while we wait. She gave me specific directions and made sure I understood them.
It is kind people like this that keep these practices going. If you know Eileen and see her, make sure you smile and say hello. She works her butt off very quietly and, in at least my case, kept me with the surgeon I want to be with.
Thanks for listening.
Dave 
Dave -
I am convinced that these people are angels on earth!!!! How in the world they can deal with stuff like this daily and keep their sanity is beyond me.
I'm so glad that she was able to help you and keep you convinced that this is the right thing for you.
A well placed thank you gift to Eileen would be a great gesture!!! Even a thank you card would probably mean the world to her.
Take care,
Tia
Hi Dave
I'm glad you found someone who was really interested in helping you. When my PCP first suggested WLS to me (in August 2001) I called a particular surgeon's office just to ask a couple of questions and was treated so rudely, that I sort of put the whole idea on the side for a long while. Fortunately, when I did decide (in January 2004) that WLS was the route for me, I was able to find a wonderful doctor on the first try who had a staff that was just as committed to the patients as he was and had a good experience.
The whole process is stressful enough, doing the research, making the decision, and then going through all the testing procedures that you truly need support from the doctor's staff. No matter how talented and good the doctor is his staff can make or break his practice.
By the way, I have heard glowing reports about that first doctor from 2001, but I wouldn't know, I couldn't get my toe in the door to find out anything about WLS period.
Best wishes as your WLS journey continues.
Hugs, Mo
I'm glad you found someone who was really interested in helping you. When my PCP first suggested WLS to me (in August 2001) I called a particular surgeon's office just to ask a couple of questions and was treated so rudely, that I sort of put the whole idea on the side for a long while. Fortunately, when I did decide (in January 2004) that WLS was the route for me, I was able to find a wonderful doctor on the first try who had a staff that was just as committed to the patients as he was and had a good experience.
The whole process is stressful enough, doing the research, making the decision, and then going through all the testing procedures that you truly need support from the doctor's staff. No matter how talented and good the doctor is his staff can make or break his practice.
By the way, I have heard glowing reports about that first doctor from 2001, but I wouldn't know, I couldn't get my toe in the door to find out anything about WLS period.
Best wishes as your WLS journey continues.
Hugs, Mo Most Active
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