finished

Well everyone I just wanted to say this is it. I am done with trying anymore. I have been trying for the last year and a half to have this surgery and I just got blown out of the water today by New Start. They were my only last hope and they let me down really fast. I have changed insurance recently and was told I could only use certain doc's. Dr. Scott was my dr. but can only do the surgery in Columbia, I live in Ofallon. My insurance is Mercy. Usually you see a doc then they send information to the insurance people. New Start wouldn't even help me get a different doc and let them try and at least get a denial. You can appeal those and some times get lucky. I wasn't even given a chance to be turned down. The woman I talked to said you can pay it yourself. That was it. I have NO respect for that place what so ever. I can not go on like this. I am getting sicker each month and it is so medically needed it is unbelievable. I wasn't told I needed it for the weight. I was told I needed it because I have come to the end of my rope on all medicines and my stomach and esophagus are eroding. If that isn't a medical reason I don't know what is. I don't know what else to do. I am so sorry for letting loose like this but I am scared and hurt by them people. Thanks for listening. Barb

I was treated like that at Dr Scotts office. They let me waste 4 months waiting for approval knowing all along he did not take my insurance. I felt the same way. I took control of the matter and went to the Optifast program and lost 25 lbs and then was accepted at NewStart. They called one day and said I was scheduled. Don't give up just do something different. God knows best. I feel sometimes there are blocks for a reason. Go with the flow. Things happen for a reason. Have faith. Dr Scotts office told me I could pay for it also. Guess what I did end up paying for it.

Barb, Don't give up! It is so worth it. I went through Dr. Van Wagner. He and Sarah, his office manager, are very very helpful in getting you through the process. I didn't start out with Newstart, I went right to the surgeon himself. There are a number of things that most insurance companies will have you do in order to get ok'd but once you get it all behind you, the feeling of just waiting for the date of surgery is incredible. I don't really care for the people at Newstart but Dr. Wagner and Sara were great. Please let me know if I can help you. If you call their office, tell Sara I referred you. She is very very helpful and they are truly concerned for you as a patient. Dr. Wagner is very professional but has a good bed side manner. He has a great track record and extremely intelligent, especially when it comes to OUR bodies. Let me know if I can help. Hang in there.

Like Jimmy V. (Former NC State basketball coach who died of cancer) once said: "Never give up, never quit"