Johns Hopkins/Dr. S

Hi MDers! I live in DE, about an hour from Baltimore.  I am looking for a DS surgeon and I understand Dr. S is one of the best.  I just had a question regarding pre-op stuff, specifically the 3 Month Pre-Bariatric Program that helps you get approved.  I have Aetna, and they require 6 month diet or 3 month program.  After 15 years of dieting, I'd rather do the 3 month thing. My question to anyone who has done the program...  how often do you have to visit?  Like I said, I live 1 hour away but I work in Phila, 2 hours away.  I'm just wondering if I would have to commute to Bmore on a weekly basis, or a couple times a month or what.  Pre-op testing too...  Is that an all in one day thing or different appointments on different days? Thanks in advance!

Hopefully Joteddie will see this.  She lives about 2 hours from Baltimore and had her DS last summer.  I think she stayed in one of those residence hotels for the first week or two. Bayview is a good place, and Dr. S is terrific. Edie

Hi Baglady. I saw your post on the DS board and wondered if you had considered Dr. S. Let me echo what Edie said and tell you he is fantastic. I am SSMO and me experience with Dr. S, his office and Bayview was wonderful. I was 4 months out on 12/14 and despite my size had no complications and only stayed 2 nights. Now all that being said I did not have a pre-op diet requirement. I did all my pre-op testing in Cumberland where I live. I only had to have lab work, Chest X-ray and an EKG as well as a history and physical clearence from my PCP for Dr. S. I did my psych eval in Cumberland as well. I only went to Balto twice. The first time was for my pre-op appointment with Dr. S and later that same day I say the dietician. The 2nd time was for my anesthesia consult. That was it. Then it was surgery time. I hope this is helpful. I also stayed for 2 weeks as Edie said in an extended stay hotel after surgery. Please let me know if there are any other questions I can help you with.

Thank you Joteddie!  I was under the impression that Dr. S was not participating with Aetna, but that seems not to be the case!  Baltimore is a good hour from me.  The pre-op classes are once a week for 12 weeks, which would be a hassle but doable.  I'll have to think.  I know he is an excellent surgeon, and Johns Hopkins is a great hospital.  I will PM you if I have any more questions.

Yes Johns Hopkins is one of the best names around in healthcare but since this doctor is not accepting aetna, perhaps you could look into other options.  My Dr. has several patients from Delaware and it might be closer to you than Baltimore. Try looking into Dr. Terrence Fullum and the Upper Chesapeake Bariatric Team at Harford Memorial Hospital.  As for the Insuance requirement for dieting, there is no getting around that. However, you can start now and do it within your hometown. The requirement is 6 months physician supervised weighloss program/plan. All you have to do is schedule 6 visits with your PCP (make sure they are exactly 28-30 days apart - no more, no less and DO NOT skip any visits). Have your PCP document at each and every visit, your height, weight, BP, any obesity related complaints (back aches, high BP, sleep apnea, etc.) and specifically discuss your diet. If you don't follow these steps exactly, you could be turned down and have to start over just to meet the insurance company requirements for approval.  Best of luck!

Ask any questions you want. In my humble opinion his skill set is well worth the 12 week hassle. Good luck whatever way you decide. Jo

I also used Dr. S., and cannot say enough good things about him.   I owe him my life.  My surgery has truly given me my life back.   As for the program, I am also about an hour from Dr. S's office, and I simply had monthly weigh in and counselling sessions with my PCP.  I did not participate in any formal weight loss sessions through Bayview or Dr. S.  Like Joteddie, I only went to Baltimore twice prior to my surgery date.  Good luck with your journey!   Do you have your consult scheduled with Dr. S yet????    You may find that he is booked WAYYYYY in advance, and that you might be just as well off to begin seeing your PCP now, and have a couple of months out of the way before you begin the process with Dr. S. Again, good luck! Marcia

So I did decide to go with Dr. S and Johns Hopkins.  I was able to get a consult for February 4th, so I'm happy!

Also, I have an assessment for the pre-bariatric program on January 14th, and then 12 weeks of classes.  I'll have to go to Baltimore once a week, but like Joteddie said, it will be so worth it. Just out of curiosity, how long did it take you guys from consultation to surgery?

I misunderstood, Dr. S IS participating with your insurance. Thats great news :)  But please read my reply abovce regaridng the insurance requirement for 6 months weightloss plan. You'll be wasting valuable time if you don't meet that requirement. I had to repeat it and waited a full year before getting approved. It's a very discouraging mistake that I would not want others to go through.  Best of luck.

Yeah, Dr. S IS in network (thank goodness!)  I know what you mean regarding the 6 mos, but Aetna has an option where you can do a 3 month "program" and get approved.  Johns Hopkins has the regular 6 month/once a month program and then a special 3 month weekly program specifically for Aetna patients.  So hopefully I will get approved.  And if I don't, at least I'll be halfway there.  Thanks for your advice!