? for those who know UM bariatric program

I'm sorry you're having so much trouble - with as anxious as I am just starting out, I think I'd be furious if I were in your situation.  Can you tell me what your process has been with them?  Basically, what steps did you go through (and how long did they all take) after you went to the info session? My insurance will let me go to Hurley hospital too, and they've been much more friendly (at least over the phone).  It's much further away for me, so the convenience of follow up visits, etc. would be a big deterrant from going there.  But, if I have a lot of difficulty with UM (organization and responsiveness is a big thing for me), I might think more carefully about Hurley... best, lara

Lara,  I really don't know which way to direct you.  The most important thing to pick is the quality of the surgeon. The physicians at U of M have a lot of experience, that's why I went there. I live much closer to Flint than U of M.  One of the biggest problems I have had with U of M has to do with paperwork. If you could send in ALL of your paperwork together, it might make it better.  Don't fax it to them because they lose it. Another problem for me is that I don't have easy access to a phone while I am at work. They won't leave a message on an answering machine so you have to be able to answer the phone at any time. I simply can't do that.  If you can't answer the phone at any time, you will play phone tag with them for quite a while.   It also appears that U of M follows their own guidelines, and will not bend any of their rules for any reason. This also bothers me cause it doesn't always seem to make sense.   At the "info" session, ask for a detailed explanation of all of their  rules.  It would have helped me to know what they were before I bumbled along.

Just wnted to update this post.  I have two more weeks until my surgery date and since Sept-ish, the program really seems to have it's act together.  They've hired a new admin and a new program nurse - both are terrific.  I've had no problems getting in touch with them, hearing back from them, etc.  All in all, I couldn't be happier!.



lara