Ypsilanti Barix Clinic anyone?

Well I had my initial consult with Dr. Poplowski. I was both impressed and confident of his caring and abilities. Now the process begins with my insurance clearance. After my own physician said he would support me,, when I asked him yesterday if he would write my letter for the insurance(Ihave BCBS POS). He says why should I do all the work so that your surgeon can make 30,000$ on doing your surgery? I was amazed to say the least. I explained that HE IS MY DOCTOR thats why! How could someone else document my diet history? He did finally agree to write it,, but something he said made me so upset! I told him that I have to learn to eat "normally" in order for this surgery to work. (I am having lap-band) His reply was, "YOU DON'T HAVE AN EATING DISORDER,, YOU HAVE AN EXERCISE DISORDER". He said that if I would exercise more,, I could lose weight....Needless to say,, I walked out of there feeling awful and discouraged. When I tried to call my contact at The Barix Clinic,, all I ever get is her voice mail. I have left messages,,, no reply as of yesterday...I feel so lost,, confused,, alone on this venture. I was under the impression that the Barix Clinic HELPED you get clearance? My personal doctor also told me there was at least a 6 month wait for the sleep study? I was hoping to have the surgery this spring,, thats when I have work off,, so its really important to have it around then. I am sorry this is long,, but has anyone else had experience with Ypsi Barix? When I get those long phone messages asking me to push this button for this,, push this button for that,, then only to get someones voice mail,, I want to scream!!!! Why does this process have to be so hard?

I worked with the holland barix and had my surgery at the ypsi clinic.. they will work with you and they do alot of the foot work.. your contact will call you back im sure she will... maybe on the sleep study you could call them and tell them what you are up against and the time frame and they will work with you.. Get aggressive and help to pu**** along. If your Dr acts the way he does perhaps he needs to be sat down and you need to tell him that you need his support. If he chooses to act like a horses a$$ then just let him know that there is a ton of people you know (IE US at OH) that can advertise just how bad he is in the support area... my Dr was a jerk so I got me a new Dr he had my files transfered to his office and he referred me.. I LOVE him and he is the best support I could ever have.... Be patient with the gal at Barix there is a lot of patients there and she will call you back they are very good there.. if she doesn't just call her daily and she will get the picture... Hope I helped and Oh By the WAY Congrats on taking the first step!!! (((HUGS))) Dori 289.5/238.5 WooHoo

Hi Annette: Congratulations on this important first step! I, too, worked through the Holland clinic and had surgery down in Ypsi. Dr. Schram was my surgeon and I loved him and all the staff at both facilities. Rest assured that Barix WILL help you get approved, scheduled, etc. I was very, very fortunate...I started researching WLS in Sept. 05, signed up for my insurance benefits in Oct. 05, had an approval within 2 weeks, and had surgery on Nov. 22, 05. All this was due to the wonderful staff at Barix clinics (and the fact that I knew what my insurance required and had all of my doctor's documentation in place.) As for the sleep study portion, I'm not sure how that works since that was not something that I had to do. =( And, I am soooo sooo sorry your PCP is treating you in the manner in which he is. Once you have all the information you need from him, I would definitely consider finding a new doc. Keep your chin up. This board is a wonderful place to find support and we will all be here for you along the way. Best of luck, Maria W.

Annette - sounds like you need a new PCP!!!! He really sounds like and uneducated, old school doctor!!!! There are tons of sleep study places out there. My mom just had one done and she got in in less than two weeks. Don't let this doctor get you down!!!! It is a long hard process. Perhaps to weed out those that aren't serious, or perhaps it has no reason to it and it's just long and hard. Either way, if this is what you want, you'll fight for it!!! These temporary down moments pass and you get your fighting spirit back (especially with encouragement from this board). The time seems to drag on forever, I know, but it will pass!!! Keep you chin up girl!!! Laurie

Your family doctor sounds like a real gem. :P I have Dr. Pop too! I had a lot of things to pull together as well. I have a suggestion - regarding the sleep study. Call the Heritage Hospital Sleep Study Center - or try a doctor who has their own center. You will get in much sooner. I was able to get in within a few weeks... and mine was at Heritage. Trying calling Barix Clinic directly and leave a message with the recieptionist for the person you are trying to contact. Maybe they will get the message sooner.

Annette, I to am going through Barix in Ypsi. I have to tell you I started out with Corey and switched to Barix for the very reason you are complaining. (no one to talk to when you really need them) What I have found is that when it comes to this type of sugery you really need to be prepared to take care of a lot of the details your self Although I am much happier here than at corey. That support that I longed for simply does not exist at the drs office. That is why I rely on OH . There is always somebody here. They dont charge anything, and when they say I understand what you are going through they REAlly understand.

PS. One way to get a faster app. for the sleep study is if you can sleep in the day time ask them to give you an app as a day sleeper. They all ways have space.

First of all, thanks for all the wonderful replies and words of support. I finally DID get to talk to a person at Barix clinic and they couldn't have been nicer. I took the bull by the horns and called the local hospital here myself for the sleep study! I have an apt for my initial consult on March 14th! They also told me there was NO 6 month waiting list... I also have my apt for my psych eval this saturday!! Yipppeeee!! The only hitch that I am afraid of is my doctors letter....Someone from Barix has agreed to call and talk to my doctor on my behalf. Sorry for being so negative yesterday,, I was just so frustrated. This all just makes me more determined and focused on doing what I NEED to do to have my WLS. Thanks again,, you are all so wonderful and supportive.