Ack!!!!!! United Healthcare lost Shawnee Mission Hosp - need to rethink doc/hosp

I'm not surprised that SMMC did not renew their contract. At the seminar I talked with a lady who had our insurance. She said the word was that the hospital would not renew their contract. What I didn't know was that it was going to happen as of April 1st. Unfortunately, there are only 2 or 3 other surgeons close by and I know absolutely nothing about them. So we are going to travel for surgery, which is fine but I need to find a surgeon that I can depend on. I'm going to search the posts here to see where everyone's surgery took place. If you would, could you post and let me know a little about your doctor? I remember reading so many wonderful comments about the surgeons and I want one of those wonderful surgeons. Thanks.! Trudy

Trudy, I do not know if Bothwell or Dr. Hornbostel takes your insurance but Sedalia is only about an hour to 1 1/2 hours from most areas of KC. Dr. H is one of the best around here. He has people that come from all over including out of state. He is one of the only ones that the Miltary uses for this surgery. I have a good friend that worked as a surgery nurse and worked in his O.R. She says he is the only surgery she would go to for any surgery. That is huge for someone that show him work and still wants to go to him. Good luck in your search Shawn

Shawn, thank you so much! Dr. Hornbostel does take my insurance and Bothwell Memorial is one of the hospitals. It's about 2 hours from home. What is the follow-up schedule for RNY? Thanks again. Trudy

Trudy follow up is one week, one month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. then yearly after that. He also has everyone he operates on in a national data bank and keep track of all of us that way too. Dr. Hornbostel in my opion is the best there is bar none. Jan

forgot to tell you that Bothwell hospital is the best and most attentive staff i have ever seen. I have had several surgeries at large hospital in my life but no where have i ever gotten the attention and care i did there. The rooms are all private but they are really small. That is the only drawback i saw other than that they are as up to date as any where. Jan

What is their procedure? Do you go through a seminar, loads of paperwork, which is expected? I'm approved for surgery. I just need to talk with my coach a total of 8 times pre-surgery and have a psychological study, which is scheduled. Do I just call and say, here I am make me fat no more? LOL!! Trudy

You have to go to one of his seminars before you can get an appointment to see him. He does the seminars himself once a month. I think the 1st or 2ed tuesday of the month. Call his office and they well tell you when the next one is. Then I just went in and saw him, got my iinsurance nfo to them and the rest is up to your insurance really. THey really do walk you though it. His nurse Deana is the go between with the insurance. THey called me after I was approved and gave me a date that simple. It does seem eaiser then what alot of people said they had to go though with their doctors. SO first step is just to call the office and get the next seminar date which should be in the next couple of weeks. Then after the seminar call back and make an appointment. GOOD luck Shawn

I second that what Jan said about Dr. Hornbostel and Hospital,He is the best around.Im from the Kansas City area and to Sedalia is only a hop,skip and a jump from here.I myself though have medicare,but Im sure he does your insurance as well I think. Well, I wish you the best of luck and hope to see you here with the rest of us loosers" In a good way lol.Godbless you on your new journy in life.

I think dr. Hornbostol is a great doctor and a fine christian man, he is the one I had, he sure has done alot of them......vesta

Thank you all so very much. Before I talked with my husband about the surgery, I read everything I could find. I stumbled across this website and struck gold! With my past health & surgeries, I knew he wasn't going to react the way I wanted, so I asked him to read this forum before we discussed the surgery, which he did. Dr. Hornbostel was our first choice, but there was another surgeon that patients loved and his office was only 20 minutes from home, so it was logical to go with him. Well things have a way in working out. I asked Steve to read your responses to my post and he called me and said, "isn't it great that you have this support, let's go to Sedalia." I will call tomorrow and see when the next couple of seminars are scheduled and get back on my journey. Thanks again! Trudy