Need serious advice???

I will take to ask this a simply as possible. Please be vocal as possible. I need all side of input on this issue. Here is my dilemma in a nut shell. I hope. 1. I went to see a surgeon at a local hospital, they said I have to wait to April to have WLS because of BCBS 12 month diet criteria. 2. Ins tells me you do not have to go every month as long as it is 12 months, which I have. 3. The surgeon office said they would do the surgery before April but if rejected they would not help to fight to get payments. 4. I decided to go to the Barix Clinic to get a second opinion on the ins. issue. 5. They said all I need was a letter from my PCP in the format of a letter they gave me and a pysch eval. 6. My PCP said he has no problem giving me the letter because I meet all the requirements the letter ask for. 7. I have a pysch eval scheduled for this coming Fri. Ok, you are saying what is the problem. Here is the problem. My husband was all against the surgery for a long time but was warming up to the ideal and was ok with it because he knew he could not stop me. His only request is that he does not want me to have the surgery done in Ypsalanti because of the distance. It is 2 1/2 hours from my house. He wants me to have the surgery more local (the local hospital is 20 min. away) or even Grand Rapids (45 min. way) is ok with him. Now what do you do? He says why not wait until April because it is not that far way. People who want WLS--know by April I would be a whole new person. Barix clinic does not do surgeries in Holland anymore so that is out. So now do I go through everything and have Barix say it is all approved and then go back to the local hospital and say I know the is will pay and do the surgery before April or do I stick with Barix and go against by husband wishes after he has had a change of heart. I like both surgeons and am comfortable with either place. Sorry I needed more nut shells then I thought. Please give advise and/or opinions. Thanks a bunch Becky

I had mine done at MMPC in Grand Rapids. I have BCBS and they took my doctor's statement that I had been under her care for at least 12 months on a supervised diet (mine actually was 2 years). I went through all the testing and within 3 weeks had a surgery date. You might check with MMPC (I had Dr. Foote but they are all good). They deal with BCBS all the time.

I have BCBS, all I needed was a letter from my pcp. I was approved almost immediately. I had my surgery with Dr. Schram at Barix in Ypsi. They were wonderful. I was so well cared for. The reason behind the concern with the distance is that after your discharge the danger of blood clots in your legs on the ride home. There are people that have lived that distance and still had thier surgery. Dr. Schram is a wonderful surgeon, Call Barix in Ypsi and get an appt. Get a second opinion. Beware of inexperienced surgeons. Ask many questions. Do your research. Talk to other patients. Good luck. I had my surgery on the 5th of Sept.

You need to talk with your husband. This is between you an him. His support is vital to your success. When you make your decision the people here will help you along but it all starts at home. kp

Becky, My surgeon/hospital is 2-1/2 hours away. Do I regret having surgery because we put over 2000 miles on our new vehicle in less than a week (complications and had to go back to the hospital after being home almost a week). And that was just for the drive to and from the hospital - did not include other mini trips the vehicle made! Do I regret having a surgeon that is caring about me as a person and not just a patient? Do I regret making the numerous trips down to Warren to prepare for the surgery? Do I regret having to drive to the surgeons office monthly ****il after this month that is) to do a follow up with my surgeon? No, No, No and NO! Bottom line is you have to make this decision for yourself. You might ask your husband why he is against various things regarding the surgery. Maybe he is afraid of something happening? Maybe he is afraid of what the 'new' you will be like. You need to find a way to help your husband understand what you go through on a daily basis by carrying the extra weight and then he may understand why, to you, April seems so far away. Michelle

I agree with KP that this is between you and him. I think he is concerned with your well being, so with that distance it would be hard for him to get back and forth with the long drive and all. I don't think anyone would wanna be that far from a love one who is having major surgery if it can be avoided....but I think if you talk to him and let him possibly read some profiles of people who had surgery with that amount of distance it might help him get a better understanding of how things would go. Talk to him again. I'm sure you guys will come to an agreement you both can live with. Best wishes to you. Kori

I did have my surgery at Barix. Everything and everyone was wonderful. But I do agree with KP. You have to do what works best for you and your family. Your husband will be your main support. My drive is 1 hr one way if there are no delays at the border (I live in Canada). Best of luck to you. Take care, Carey

Hi Rebecca....I am from Mattawan and I am going to Borgess. Dr. Alan Saber is doing my surgery on November 7th. why couldn't you do it there? bcbs has been working with Dr. Saber for a long time. Tell me again why you couldn't go there.

Lori, Thank you for the information. The reason is a personal request of my mother. She went to Dr. Saber and did not care for him. Here only request when I have surgery is not to go to him. I know a few people who went to him and had lots of success. It is my mother's personal opinion. Becky

Did you talk to Pat, Dr. Saber's nurse? I know they have certain knowlege of what the insurance companies make you do to get approved, but if you have some information that they need to know about your particular plan at bcbs, by all means, tell them. This way you can get your surgery and hubby is still happy.