I am soooo upset!

So these past few weeks I have been walking on a cloud. Soooooo excited that I will have a new life soon---one where I can actually play with my new babies down on the floor or wherever they are.  I can't even express how excited and thankful that I was to be getting this surgery. So I got the referral to Dr. Loggins from my PCP.  No problems right--I was referred.  So I go to my first appointment-get my ekg, get my bloodwork done, chest xray etc.  I am thrilled as I have the nutrition class, a sleep study and to lose some weight left---oh yeah, and the appointment with the therapist. So I get a call a week and a half ago saying to call the hospital (where my dh works).  They are waiting for the referral to go through the medical director.  Huh?!  She said I needed an approval from the medical director to use Dr. Loggins since he was at CMMC.  Okay---huh?!  Apparently they are a competitor.  So she tells me to call the next day, then the next and the next etc.  So today I call this morning as my nutrition class was today.  Denied.  Although my pcp referred me, and although my insurance harvard pilgrim says fine--although dr. loggins says excellent candidate---The hospital where my dh works says absolutely no I cannot use CMMC as they are their competitor.   So she mentions Dr. Corbean or something like that in Portland.  Well that is not the same hospital either, but since it is in a different town it is okay.  Well not okay for me.  A) I love Dr. Loggins and staff B) I have 2 infant twins that I stay home with.  Do you even know how much infant care for 2 babies is!  So for me to get someone to watch the babies is tough enough.  And C)  My dh has the car at work fulltime----so how the heck would I even get to Portland for appointments.  Unless I can miraculousy get all my appointments after 4:30---good luck since most places close at 5pm. The girl on the phone even mentioned something about an 8 month wait to get in to Corbean?  I could be wrong as soon as she said absolutely will I never be able to go there I tuned her out as I was all choked up.  Devastated.   I called Dr. Loggins to let them know I was not going to the nutrition class and also that I was not allowed to be a patient.  Kim said she would have Corinne call me tomorrow---not that it will change anything I am sure. And on top of it.  She said she tried to catch me before my first consult with them to get me to cancel until we got official word from the medical director (she didn't catch me and I went).  So she now says I have to pay for that whole thing myself since the referral did not go through it is not going to be covered.  The insurance will cover it---only if they have the referral (which they won't give).  I hope that 2-3 hour appointment is not a ton (prbably is) because with all the expense of two new babies and over $200 a month in formula---I just don't even want to think about it.  I hope they take a payment plan, that is all I can say. I can't even get this lump in my throat out.  So upset and annoyed.   Sorry for the long post and rant---but I didn't know anyone else who would understand how devastated I am to learn that I basically can not do it now since the chances of me getting in and being able to even make it to Portland on a regular basis is slim slim slim.

Hey there,  I'm sorry that you got some bad news but please try not to give up! Remember, you are doing this for MULTIPLE reasons---your health AND to be there for your husband and new babies!  I know that of course the surgeon matters---you've met and apparently like Dr. Loggins and so first, if at all possible, I'd appeal the decision. However, IF that fails, maybe you could at least get to Portland once or twice to evaluate Dr. Cobean for yourself? I think you'd agree that what is MOST important is the skill of the surgeon and so if this other surgeon is equally skilled and qualified/licensed, perhaps you could find someone (even on here?) to help you get to Portland for your appts?? Just a thought! I don't have a car or I'd offer but I DO have MUCH experience in babysitting and I'd be glad to help you out in that area so that you can get to any of these appointments! Of course, I realize you don't know me but we could meet (I live in lewiston) and I can give you references from folks I've babysat for as well as character references if you should ever find yourself stuck for a sitter. Take care and good luck, Lori

That is seriously one of the nicest things anyone has ever done!  I am going to talk to Corrine tomorrow when she calls.  I really am not sure why she is even calling.  Maybe they have experience appealing or something.   I will then go on from there.  I wouldn't mind another surgeon (although I prefer Loggins), but being in the same town is a HUGE bonus for me as my cir****tances right now with the two babies.   I also was looking forward to a fairly quick process---it seemed like it would take no time to get in and have the surgery...maybe 6 months??  I have heard people wait almost 2 years on Cobean's list.  I will have to check to see what the wait is.  Thanks again for the offer.  I am praying that for some miraculous reason something happens--but not counting on anything.  I'm just frustrated and sad.  Uuuuggghhhh.

Please don't give up on your dream! You are doing this for YOU and for a better way of life. There are times that life takes a sudden, unexplainable turn, but it doesn't mean it's a total "dead end". If Corrine can suggest anything, she will. You will be in my thoughts and in my prayers that something good comes from this. (As for Lori's babysitting abilities, I, for one, can attest to her abilities as a great sitter.)  Again, keep your chin up. Keep us posted. We're all here for you.

Sorry to hear of your disappointing news.  I know when we all start looking into this surgery, news of this kind is the last thing we want to hear!  I know how disappointed you must feel but if there is another hospital in town that can do the surgery and the surgeon is very qualified, well I think that is the most important thing.  I would offer help in any way I could also but I live up by the Canadian border so getting to Portland for me is ... well, not very likely; but I am sure you will find much help from others on here that are closer to you.   Good luck and please don't give up if this is something you really want.   {Hugs}    Netti

I am so glad you guys are hear and understand.  Even if I end up being able to go to Portland and it takes 3 dang years---you all know how sad that would feel.  No one else knows.  I am just sooooo ready to start my life all over again.  I can't wait to go do things with the babies as they grow up.  As it is now I couldn't even fit in the amusement rides.  At least I have some years to go before I need to.

I do work at CMMC and I know that before Dr. Loggins started that Dr. D'Augustine did surgery and even though he had privelliges at St. Mary's and CMMC he did his Gastric Bypasses at CMMC because of equipment reasons. I would appeal because it would cause you an enormous hardships to go to portland they cant deny you since they do not offer the surgery at their facility.  I would definitley appeal and make sure that Dr. Loggins knows about it personally. I know that competition between hospitals should not take over patient care. If a patient is having a heart attack and they went to St. Mary's that instead of transferring the patient to our facility at CMMC with the capabilites to handle the situation they would have them transfered to Maine Med wihich is alot farther and can jeopardize the outcome of that patient. Im sure alot of hospitals do this type of thing and its just not acceptable. I wish you the best, but don't stop fighting.  Cristy

It just annoys me.  I went through this once already.  I was in preterm labor at 32 weeks with the twins.  Instead of sending me a mile down the road to St. Mary's I had to take an ambulance ride all the way to freakin Portland.  And let me tell you---being overweight to begin with and 32 weeks prego with twins---that 2 foot wide gurney is a nightmare!!!  And since dh had to work (can't afford to take time off since he knew he would use his vacation after the babies were born) I had like no visitors for 3 days.  It was miserable---but not like someone is gonna get out of work at 5, leave here by 5:30 to drive all the way up there and visit for 30 minutes before needing to head back.  Uggghhh.  I hope they can somehow appeal--but I think that is what happened already??  They sent it through for the referral and the director said no, she called to ask me to explain why I wanted loggins, I did, she asked the director again and he said no.  So I assumed that was an appeal.  Who knows- I will definitely do everything I can do.  If it means going to Portland I guess that is what I have to do.  I just know the wait is already like a year and a half I believe and it will be hard for me to do all the appointments after 4pm. Thanks for the encouragement though---maybe it wasn't an appeal and I have something else to try.

I am so sorry for your troubles!!  But I can say that Dr Cobean is the best!!  He would be so worth traveling for!!  But can understand it being hard with the twins and everything.  My friend Kim H just had surgery today and believe it or not, she traveled from Presque Isle!! Her surgery was today and I talked with her husband and he told me that Dr Cobean said all went very smoothly.   You may want to also contact Kim after she is back home, I think she also did a lot of her appointments up closer to her home due to being so far away.  Maybe you can do the same.  Maine Bariatric is very good about working with things like this. Best of luck to you and keep us posted!  I am sure everything will work out for you!

Good to know.  Maybe I could get all the testing done here.  Then it would only be a few appointments---I have no idea how many appointments you have with them anyways.  I am feeling better---I just was so excited and they made it sound like it wouldn't be too much of a long process since I didn't need many things done pre-op.  And now I hear there is a loooooong wait to even get your first appointment with Cobean.  Do you know how long your friend waited from start to surgery??