FRUSTRATED!!

So my PCP was all for the surgery, was supposed to send over a referral to the surgeon 2 weeks ago. I never got a call to schedule my New Patient Ed Day appointment, so I called there. They never received the referral. Then I contacted my PCP again, who said that they needed to get a prior authorization from my insurance, which was done. I was excited when she told me the surgeon's office should be calling to set up an appt today. I just got the call. I'm SOOOO frustrated right now. AUGUST 19!?!? I cannot believe it takes that long just to MEET with the doctor for an initial appt! I asked her approximately how long after that point until surgery and she said it could take up to 6 months with all that needs to get done - psych eval, 3 NUT visits, etc. Unbelievable. Now I'm really sad. I am in a wedding in September and I just want to get out of it because I cannot imagine having to walk down the aisle, all eyes on me being heavier than I've been in my life. I just want to eat myself into oblivion. LOL UGH... I know, I know...I should use this time to educate myself, get ready for surgery, diet. Yeah, yeah. Grrr. I have been obsessively educating myself and I dieted for about a week and GAINED. Whatever!

You must be feeling so frustrated right now.  Believe me, I understand.  I too was at my heaviest just before surgery.  During that time, my BIL had his 50th birthday party - and I didn't go, because I was too embarrassed to have anyone see me at that weight.  You are right, though - this is a long-term goal and committment, so let this time pass with as little stress as possible.  The good news is that things are proceeding, you are pre-authorized and have an appointment scheduled.  These are all very good things!

Thanks Linda! I wish I could be a fly on the wall at the wedding...and just she knew I was there, no one else could see me. Sad, eh? You're right...at least I'm on the road there!

I went through that waiting game, but I was put on the cancellation list, and things went by really quickly.

My original consultation date was May 27, 2010, (from Jan 9th call) and they asked if I was flexible and wanted to be put on the cancellation list.  I of course said yes, but they said they rarely got a cancellaton....Well just so happens I went ahead and scheduled my first NUT appt, and they did that 3 wks after I called(on Friday).  That very day I got a call that there was a cancellation and they had an opening the next Monday!  Well from there I made some more appts, thinking I was still 2 months out.  Low and behold another cancellation.  I was called yesterday with a surgery date of May4 (3 wks prior to my original consultation date).

Find out if the dr has a cancellation list, and get on it if you can be very flexible for appointments.

It works!

In the meantime, research.

Good Luck, and keep you chin up!

OMG wow! That is amazing and GOOD FOR YOU!! I bet you are SO excited! I wonder if I can schedule my NUT visits before my New Patient Ed Day? I didn't think that was possible because they schedule those for you... I am going to call and see! Thanks! I am not THAT flexible because I am a stay at home mom and will have to arrange childcare, but I will figure out a way to make it happen if it's possible. lol Thanks again...you gave me some hope!

dear frustrated  i know how u feel  i went to the seminar in feb. 2010 and was called with my appt. for june 16, however they asked me if i wanted to be on a waiting list also, so i got a call at the end of march saying they had some bad news for me,  i said please dont push my consultation back and they said well the doctor wasnt gonna be in the office on that day but the good news was they could get me in april 15.  i said wow  so i just went yesterday for my consultation and now i have appt. with dietitian and jen the psychologist to make appt. but she didnt answer.  got appt for dietition on 5/4 and hope to do the psychologist soon too and alreay have everything else done and documented.  how are u doing after your surgery and can you give me any encouragement and support.  thank you

Glad to help!

Hopeing for the best for you.


Marcia

I waited over 2 years before I got approved after the first denial I had to do ONE YEAR of a hospital based weight loss program, I almost cried!! I actually think I did cry! Then when I finally got the auth to see the doctor which was in June I couldn't get a psych eval appt. until Oct!! I called and complained so bad to my ins. company and they got me an appointment in 3 weeks,, then the 4 hour education class I had to do wasn't until August!! Did that and on that day they gave me an appoitnment with the doc which wasnt until November!! I cried the whole time! Well needless to say I called daily to check for cancellations and i got my appt w/ the doc two weeks after that class!! Then i had to hit a weight loss goal by Oct. 30th of ten lbs then they'd schedule surgery, did that and on that appt. day the soonest surgery date he had was Feb. 7th!! I almost fainted from disappointment!! Couldn't believe it, but he said I was healthy, no health issues never had surgery and that maybe they would move me up, well 7 days later i got a call saying my surgery was going to be in 5 days!! I freaked out!! So I guess the moral of  the story is be persistent!!! Call and be pushy for appointments and classes! They should let u start your 3 classes now so you'll be prepared or have them give you referrals for any pre-op testing such as blood work or sleep study, chest xray, EKG's. Just a thought. good Luck.....it'll all work out. On my 3 month post=op day I should have only been 3 days post-op but Im pushy...LoL

Jamie that is so awesome that you fought to get what you wanted and won (with quite a rollercoaster ride along the way)!! I called the office on Friday and left a message asking if I could do my nutritionist visits or any testng before my New Patient Ed day (August) and the woman (the same woman that you leave a vm for to schedule an appt or ask questions and the ONLY one that calls you back) told me that I can't do any of that without a referral, so no. I asked what I can do beforehand and she said the public seminar, which I am going to today. Now I'm wondering if I can call and ask for someone else but who? I haven't had an original appt yet so I'm not familiar with anyone, and they wouldn't be familiar with me. I need to get past this Cindy lady! LOL I did stress again that I am VERY flexible!

I just wanted to share that I had to wait 2 yrs from start to finish.  It has not been easy but I am now over a year out.  Hang in there.