Frustrated! I need a HUG or something LOL

Okay, so in August 2007, my hubby and I attended a seminar in Columbia at Missouri Bariatrics.  I sent in my paperwork and have done all the necessary steps.  In December, I spoke with someone who said that they'll *probably* call me this month for my first consult. Yesterday, I called MO Bariatrics and spoke with their office manager and he said that because of Medicare's slowness in granting them their Center of Excellence status, there is a HUGE back-log of patients....there are around 200 people ahead of me!  200! They are going through the applicants/patients based on chronological order (which makes sense to me) plus they are looking at their comorbidities and based on any of them, will bump those people up over those without any..... My hubby and I figure it may not be until April or May that I even SEE Dr. de la Torre! The office manager offered to email me a form to have my application shipped to De Paul Health Center in St. Louis, so that I could see if Dr. de la Torre can do my surgery there.....there may not be a back log of 200 people there. Anyway, I'm frustrated and sad and angry and feeling all kinds of feelings. The good news is that I didn't try to EAT away the emotions yesterday (that's a first LOL).  Usually I stuff my face to try and stuff the feelings away. The bad news is I'm stil sitting here, not knowing when I'll get surgery. I'm still praying, I'm not giving up.

{{{Hugs}}}  Hang in there.  I would see if your surgery could be done at DePaul.  It would be worth the drive, if it would get the surgery done for you.  Don't give up!!

  YOU MIGHT WANT TO CALL DR. EDWARDS AT ST. JOHNS, HE TOLD ME LAST WEEK THAT HOPEFULLY THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE BY THE END OF THIS MONTH,  HE IS DOING MY SURGERY THIS SUMMER AND I HAVE MEDICAID NOW & WILL HAVE MEDICARE IN JUNE.  I HAVE TO WAIT DUE TO OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS & NEEDING TO QUIT SMOKING FIRST.  HE IS AN EXCELLENT DOCTOR.  HE DID A COLOSTOMY REVERSAL & HERNIA REPAIR & PARTIAL HYSTERECTOMY IN DECEMBER AND I'M BARELY GOING TO HAVE A SCAR.  HE IS A VERY COMPETENT & CONFIDENT & COMPASSIONATE DOCTOR.   HOPE THIS HELPS. JANET LOGAN

Hi, thanks for the idea of calling Dr. Edwards. According to the office, he's going to receive the Cert of Excellence soon, which is great.  They're going to be advertising big time when he gets it, so they'll be looking for patients.   As for now, though, she advised me not to come to the seminar on Monday, since things will change for Medicare patients.  She said to keep calling to find out when they receive their Cert of Excellence. When I asked her questions about Dr. Edwards, she sounded surprised.  I asked how many operations he's performed, which one he does the most, does he do them laproscopically.....simple questions, right?  I think I surprised her LOL BTW, he's only done about 100 surgeries, mostly lapband, and I want a more experienced dr. if possible...just me, being picky.  Dr. de la Torre has done over 3,000 and Dr. Scott has done over 1,500.  To me, that shows experience and if something goes wrong (and it could), I would rather have a more experienced surgeon. ~ Patty

While keeping in mind that "everythign happens for a reason" I would still check out all the options so you can choose what's the best path for you. Keep on praying for the right doors to open for you. ((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))

I called DePaul in St. Louis and the lady said there wasn't a wait list of 200 patients.   YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEE!   She did say that Dr. Scott would do my surgery and not Dr. de la Torre.    BOOOOOOOOOOOOO! But from the research I've done, Dr. Scott seems like a wonderful doc, too, so I can live with him!  She said to schedule coming up to St. Louis for a seminar on February 6th, which would mean dh and I would have to spend the night because I don't want to be driving home and coming home at 2:00 am!  So it's time to start saving my pennies LOL I feel a bit more hopeful now. Thanks, all, for being here for me! (((HUGS)))    

I've heard very good things about Dr. Scott - he's been in practice with Dr. de la Torre for a long time.  So I think you'd do find with Dr. Scott.  ;)

The 200 patient backlog at Mo Bariatrics - is that Medicare only, or ALL patients?

Medicare only.