I'm new here

Hi everyone! I am new to this board and fairly new to this site. I just wanted to drop in and say hello and best wishes to all! Also, I am currently working on getting insurance issues worked out, but I went to my consult in Ypsilanti at the Barix Clinic and the surgeon I talked to I just found out is leaving the clinic. There is another Barix Clinic in Holland which is closer to Kalamazoo (where I live). Now that my surgeon is leaving the one in Ypsi I am considering moving to the one in Holland. Has anyone had any experience transfering clinics? Is it a huge hassel? I have only had a consultation at the one in Ypsi and that was it so far. They are the ones that called my insurance company and the one that my PCP has been sending my test results to. What do you all think? Thanks!!

Hi Jessica. I too am waiting for approval from insurance an I also had my consult at Barix in Ypsi with Dr Kam. I spoke  with Vickie  at Barix today to  update her on my last psych consult and she didnt mention that Dr. Kam would not be doing  my surgery. I hope he will be doing it, I really liked him. I thought I seen  a message on here that he wasnt leaving Barix until the first of the year. I hope that is true.  Well good luck with your insurance issues.  Michele

I had just heard on a different post from another client of Dr. Kam's that he told her he will be moving to Traverse City after the first of the year. So you are right, he will be around until the end of December. I am just afraid that all this insurance stuff and pre-op requirements won't be complete by then. But who knows, I guess I will just have to wait and see. Hopefully things work out quickly because Dr. Kam seems like a great surgeon and I would like to have him do mine. Good luck with the insurance approval, I hope it comes for you soon! -Jessica-

What insurance do you have??

I am Humana PPOM

Hi there! I use to live in Holland and I think the Barix there is simply an outlet but not a hospital persay.  Holland Community Hospital and Zeeland Community Hospital in Zeeland are the only two hospitals that I am aware of (course, that could have changed since I left Holland!) Please consider checking into U of M bariatrics program in Ann Arbor.  Same drive for you and I know a few people here who have had their surgery there. I believe Barix is great place but I also feel that you need to do some searching for a hospital and program that suits your needs most.  Research is the key to success! Good luck and welcome!  ps-I go to Kalamazoo alot- my sister and good friends live there! Stacey W 

Welcome!   If you have a barix closer i'd give it a try.    Go to a seminar and ask questions.   I don't see why the ypsilanti barix couldn't just fax the info over.    In the meantime, start reading profiles and make sure you research as much as possible.   Do make sure that you are comfortable with whomever is doing your surgery, learn all you can. Linda

Thank you for your advice!! I have been doing a lot of research, but I will continue to read even more.

Hi Jessica and welcome to the Michigan board..... I have no experience with the Barix clinic or transferring stuff... I wish you much luck with that and with your entire journey!!!! Glad to see you here, everyone here is very helpful, I am sure you will get the answers you need, if you haven't already!!!

Thank you! Everyone so far has been very helpful and very welcoming to me. I see you are from Pickney...I grew up not to far from there in Chelsea. Nice areas. :)