Still waiting on Barix Ypsilanti..

I got the pre-approval letter, it was dated 9/11. There was a cc: Dr.Poplawski's office at the bottom. I called on Monday, left a message on the schedulers voice mail. No one called back. It says on the voicemail that they will get back by the end of the day. No dice. Today I talked to the operator about who I should talk to. She said that it has to go through several departments and connected me to the insurance department. After being on hold and booted to the voicemail, I left a message. Someone named Stephanie called and left a message that she was returning my call. I couldn't hear the extension she was at, maybe 14? I'd love to hear about others experience. How long after the pre approval letter did it take for anything to happen? I've had my gallbladder removed, sleep test to prove sleep apnea, endoscopy to confirm GERD, psych evaluation. June 4th is when we went to the seminar and had the surgeon consult. My goal is to get it done before Jan. Then I will have to pay a few thousand towards the surgery. If anyone has Dr.Poplawski, can you tell me about him? I liked his manner, seemed extremely competent and had a good bedside manner.

I don't know about Dr. Poplawski, but Dr. Kam is really good.  He is leaving that practice in Dec.  So, I will be turned over to one of the other Drs there for my continued care.  I am having Lapband on Oct. 19th.  I never received a pre approval letter from my insurance I just received a call from the drs office saying I was approved.  It took exactly 2 weeks to schedule my appointment which is kind of a long time for that office but the reason was because Dr. Kam is leaving.  Hope this help some.  Good luck on your journey.  Lori

Dr. Pop was my surgeon when I had my bowel obstruction this past June. I can tell you that he was fabulous. He took great care of me. Very knowledgable and personable. My mom and husband thought he was great too. You will be in great hands with Dr. Pop and at Barix. Take care, Carey

Hi, I am now waiting for a surg. date. I am nervous and excited all at the same time,like many others. You look wonderful and have worked so hard. You give me confidence that I can do this. I was wondering if your bowel obstruction was from WLS? Thanks so much, Colleen

Hi Colleen, That's normal to be excited and nervous at the same time.  Don't worry everyone goes through those feelings.

Thank you so much for the compliment.  It was a lot of hard word.  You can do this - just be compliant and you will do great.  I asked Dr. Pop that question.  It is common for WLS patients but the surgery was not the cause of the obstruction.  Don't ever want to go through that again - that's for sure.  I don't recommend it!! 

Take care and good luck.

Carey

Once all your tests are in and your approval, then they will send your file to Dr. Pop and he will review it, and "sign off on your chart" and then your file will be sent to the scheduling department. I would not suggest calling the schedulers --- if they don't yet have your file, they really won't know who you are and then will be trying to find your file/case? If they don't have it yet, they don't have it yet and it is still with Dr. Pop.  Do you have a patient liason that you've been dealing with? That is usually the person you turn to in order to see where you are "stuck" in the process. Remember everything is departmentalized - there are alot of staff members at Barix - it is a large operation so you can't just get the info from the secretary who knows everything.  You could call the Barix number and tell them that you need to be referred to a patient liason. Dr. Pop was fantastic. I had my pick of surgeons and facilities and chose Barix due to their professionalism and post op leak test. I chose Dr. Pop due to his high level of surgical competence. He was a former liver transplant surgeon and the liver is one of the hardest organs to transplant.  He also likes to fix up botched surgeries. He has a high level of skill. Dawn

Thanks Dawn for all the information! I am trying be be the balance between obnoxious and assertive consumer. Especially since they dropped the ball, so there was over a month where nothing was being done and if I hadn't called, I bet it would all be in limbo. SO wonderful to hear that Dr.Pop did transplants of that nature. He has great hands! Rose

I just want to agree with everything Dawn said.......Well said sister !!!! I also had Dr Pop and think he is the greatest and believe me I did my home work.... I  had some problems with the different dept there all I can say I is...be the squeaky Wheel !!!  lol Jenny B wise

I wonder where you heard the statement "Be the squeaky wheel"? Thought maybe you fell off the planet. How are things going?

Hey brother !!!!       No I did not fall of the planet....... Just have been very busy, when the weather is warn Im outside playing with kids  or working with the horses.  Work has been keeping me busy , plus Ive been running my ass of...lol Lets see  Im down 95lbs...woo hooo     wearing a size 16...lol  FEELING GREAT !!!!!  So many things that I can now do with ease that I could not do before...... Life is great !!!!!!      How are you doing ?  Jenny B Wise