1st Appt w/Dr. Moein....Long

Good Morning All,

 

So I waited forever to get an appointment with Dr. Moein.  When I attended my informational session, the Office Manager told me that I should hear from them soon, usually within two weeks.  So needless to say, I waited, and I waited, and heard nothing.  So on the 3^rd week, I called the office (transferred me to the office manager) and she explained that they were down a financial counselor and that they had gotten new staff, but that she would help me.  She located my paperwork and said that she would call me today after she contacted my insurance.

 

So the whole day passed, and I heard nothing.  Around 4:30 p.m. I decided to call back and I got her voice mail, so I left her a message.  She called me back that day and told me that I don’t need a referral, explained my insurance stuff to me, and scheduled my 1^st appointment with Dr. Moein.  I was like yesssssssssssssssssssss!!!!....lol

 

So my appointment was set for April 21^st.  This day took forever to get here and I was so excited and so nervous.  During this time, I had got everything together that I need to be prepared for my 1^st appointment to include:  12 years of past medical records, any surgeries that I had done, letter from my PCP, current blood tests, etc.  So I arrive at the hospital 45 minutes early, but I only go into the doctor’s office 15 minutes early.  So I walk in, and NOT A SINGLE person says hello.  I was never greeted properly.  I signed in and sat down.  She (Adriene) called me up about 15 minutes later, and I provided her with my license/insurance card.  She then asks me if I filled out my paperwork from the informational session, and I say yes!  Needless to say, she can’t find it any where.  But because I’m so prepared, I had made a copy of my paperwork from my informational session and asked if she wanted to make a copy of it for her records (of course she did…lol).  She spoke with the Office Manager and she couldn’t remember talking to me, making my appointment or nothing…In the end, they finally found my paperwork.

 

About 10 minutes later, the financial counselor (I think her name was Karen) came and got me.  Wow, that was a quick talk.  Basically she told me about how much I would have to pay, and what my insurance requires.  I had already read and re-read my insurance requirements, so I pretty much knew everything.  I then went back out and sat in the lobby.

 

Next, Ashley (she was new also) came and got me and took me back.  She took my BP 139/89 (140/90 is consider high) and my pulse 118 (normal is 80).  My weight was 246 pds; height was 5’6, BMI 39.7.  And then she took me to a room to sit and wait for Dr. Moein.

 

So I waited, and waited, and waited for Dr.Moein.  When he came in, I was sleeping.  He introduced himself and sat down.  He didn’t talk much, and seemed really tired.  He went over my paperwork, asked me a few questions about how I heard about his practice, past surgeries, and past family medical history, and that was about it.  YUP, that was about it.  He asked me to sit on the table to do a small exam, and yes it was small.  He felt my stomach and my legs (down by my ankles), and that was it.  At that point, he asked me which surgery I was interested in, and I told him the Gastric Bypass.  At that point, he just looked at me, and he said I RECOMMEND YOU HAVE THE LAP BAND!!!  I immediately felt really upset.  I was hoping he would think I was a good candidate for the Gastric Bypass, but he said seeing that my BMI isn’t really high, that he feels I would benefit just as well with the Band which is less risk.  He said, if I you were my sister, I would try to encourage you to go with the Lap Band.  He knew I was really unhappy with that, and came back with “You barely qualify for the Gastric Bypass with your BMI, but if you want me to do it, I will do”…I was like urghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!  He said, I will just check undecided at this time.  I just wanted to scream.  At that point the dietician knocked on the door, and he told her to come on in.  I didn’t get to ask him any questions, nothing!!!!  I was sooooooooooooooooooooooo not happy.  He gave me a pamphlet and said these are the tests I need you to do, which are Blood Work, Psych Eval (tomorrow at 12:30), and Upper GI Series.  By that time, I was ready to go!  But I stayed and talked to the dietician.

 

So the dieticians name is Casey!!!  She was the best part of this whole appointment.  She to is NEW!!!  But she was great, and gosh I feel so bad because I was so emotional by the time she got to me, that as soon as the Dr. left, I began to cry and I did tell her why….lol  She was really nice and really easy to talk too.  She gave me my packet and encouraged me to come back at least for the next to visits.  By the end of our conversation, I was feeling better and we were walking out to the waiting room.

 

So I made my next two appointments with the Nutrionalist is May 16 and June 20 and that’s it!  Overall, I left unhappy and felt like I accomplished nothing. 

 

In addition, I want to say thank you to Tia for letting me vent.  It was really nice to talk to someone about this.  I really don’t know anyone who has had WLS so I have no one!!!!

 

And if you are reading this, then I too want to thank you for reading this longggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg post…lol

 

Next up, Psych Eval with Ranessa McNally tomorrow at 12:30 pm

 

Have a great day

 

T

Hi T, I am so sorry you didn't have a good day yesterday with the staff and the doctor.  I can assure you Dr. Moein is a great doctor.   It can be quite overwhelming on the first visit where you feel lost.   But you can write all your questions for your next visit and demand to speak to dr. Moein.   With your BMI being lower than 40 it wouldn't be wise to have the RNY. Especially when we are light weights.  The lapband seems to be a better option for you for sure.  I know you had your heart set for the RNY but remember you might not have so much to lose and you can reach that goal with the lapband within the year.    I have a friend here on OH that her daughter had the lapband and she has lost like 130 pounds with the lapband.  You can go read at lapbandtalk.com  The photo of the lady when the page comes up is my friend's daughter.  You can ask questions there if you like.   I hooe the office gets more organized soon right now they are going through a major transition and are overwhelmed with everything. Make sure to mention about how the staff is not greeting people so they can nip that on the bud immediately.   We are here for you if you need to vent or talk anytime.   Best of luck in your journey.

Hey Cira!  Thanks for responding.  As for Dr. Moein, everybody gave him great reviews, so I was expecting something different that what I experienced.  I just felt since this was such a big thing for me, that it would be more.  I don't know if I can explain it better.  As for asking questions, I was told I only come back twice to see Casey (dietcian) two more times and then they will submit my package.  In addition, the financial counselor told me I need to supply two years of documented weight (which I had), but no one even bothered to ask for it.  Don't they need that to submit with my package?????  As for my BMI, I do understand what you and him are saying, but I sooooooooooooooo only focused, researched, etc the RNY.  Last night, I did get on line and do some research on the Lap Band, it doesn't seem like a bad way to go, but just slower.  Thanks for the tip on lapbandtalk.com.   I'm going to go look on there and see what I can research.   Thanks again for responding. T 

Yes I know what you mean about expecting more at your visit.  On your last visit with the dietician you should be able to see Dr. Moein. I know I was seen by dr. von Rueden on my last vist.  You can calo the office and ask. If you do not get to see Dr. Moein then I would definitely ask them to tell him to call you when he is available.  DVR was really good with returning my phone calls so I expect Moein to be the same.   The 2 years of paperwork would get submitted the day of or day after of your last visit so that is when I would give it to them so it doesn't get misplaced.   Yes with the lapband is slower but you will get to the goal at about the same amount of time that a RNY patient should be reaching their goal weight.  When I decided on weight loss surgery I researched on 4 different surgeries even if my insurance only covered 2. It is important to make an informed decision on the type of surgery you want because it is a a life changing decision forever.  

Hey Cira!  I did ask the lady (Adriene) when I was scheduling my two other appointments if I got to meet with the Doc after my last visit with the dietician on that same day and she said No and didn't offer up any other information.  So by that time I was just fed up and rolled out.  I just wish like I had gotten more out of it.  Now the dietician (Casey), even though she had only been there two months, she was the only one that seemed like she knew what was going on.  As for the 2 years of paperwork, good idea!!  I will hold onto them until the very end so they don't get lost.  And for the weight loss, I have read that they both the surgeries can get you too your goal, but with RNY the weight comes off quicking in the beginning, where as the lap band its over time.  As for the other surgeries, I guess since my insurance was paying for them, and I knew I wouldn't be able to pay them, I tried to concentrate on what I new they would pay for and went from there.  Maybe I should have read up more on the Lap Band so when Dr. Moein recommended that surgery I wouldn't have been upset like I was.  Thanks for responding! T

I won't make excuses for Dr. Mo. I will say that he was quiet my first two appointments with him. I didn't feel as though I really got to know him until I was in the hospital. I was a bit taken back, in fact, when I had my 2nd appointment, and he didn't even act like he knew me. But, in the hospital, and since, he has been very informative and very caring. Making me feel like he really is my partner in this process. Most patients probably aren't as prepared as you were. They don't expect you to have the documentation they need at your first visit. So, make copies of everything that you have, and mail them to the practice. You won't meet with him at your 2nd month appointment, if I recall correctly. But, since you have unanswered questions, please call the office, and find out when you can schedule time to meet with him, or at least when you might be able to receive a phone call from him when he has time to answer your questions. I'm disappointed with him for not asking if you had questions. He must have asked me 10 times if I had any questions for him. I think he was disappointed that I had none. But, I did a ton of research, just like you have. But, because my BMI was more than enough to qualify me for RNY, I didn't have to discuss the 2 different procedures with him. Do you have co-morbidities? Under most insurance you have to have at least 2 co-morbidities to qualify if your BMI is under 40.  You are really close, so if you truly decide that RNY is the way to go, you might want to consider putting on a couple of pounds. I know that seems counter-productive. But, you have to follow what you feel is the best. I do feel that Dr. Mo will not steer you wrong. But, you have to feel you are making the best choice for you. I'm sure the banders on the board will tell you that they work as hard, if not harder than us bypassers to lose weight, and they usually lose it a bit slower too. The difference being in many cases that they don't have some of the dietary restrictions that some bypassers have, such as low sugar requirements. I hope that makes sense. I'm not trying suggest anything unhealthy, of course. Don't be discouraged! You've made the first of your many important steps. You made a great choice of doctor and hospital. The practice is undergoing some changes now. But, each one seems to be for the good. I think you'll be able to see some positive changes when you go back in May.

Kathy, thanks so much for responding.   I think at this point, I'm going to visit the other surgeons that my insurance covers and then make my decision.  As for the RNY or Lap Band, I'm still researching the Lap Band, but I will probably go with what the Doc recommends.  As for being right under 40 BMI, I do have some co-morbidities but they are not severe.  I mean to get to 40 BMI, I would have to gain 2 pounds, but my mind is saying "Your trying to lose weight not gain it"....lol  But I do understand what your saying...lol Thanks again for responding. Teri

T,  I considered 3 surgeons before I made my decision.  Some require less leg work than others.  One doc I talked to I really liked and he came highly recommended from other physicians  but I thought his office people were ditz's.  Another surgeon cancelled twice on me - 1 time they left the message on my cell phone so never got the messag until I got there.  Bad karma.  I just clicked with Dr Singh.  Personally, I don't care for his nurse (and I don't think she likes me either - no biggie) BUT I LIKED Dr. Singh and I STILL DO!  I could sit and talk to him forever when I go in there!  I'm just thinking you may want to talk to others if you weren't happy.     

Hi!  You know, I thought about going some where else, but will my insurance pay for another consultation??  In addition, I can only see three surgeons under my plan - Dr. Moein, DVR, and Dr. Gandsas.  And gosh, how long will it take for me to get into see them.  Urghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I just don't know, I just don't know....lol T

DVR does not have a long wait and you might be able to carry over your first diet visit.  Something to think about if you are truly not happy.  I know if I wasn't happy I would move on.