Dr. White Question

Ok, I'll spare you the soap opera of my family , but we've been trying to figure out about how long it will take me to get my surgery done. I called the Dr's office and she wouldn't tell me anything. On one hand I was pissed and on the other hand I understood because I've worked in a Dr's office too. All she would say it is really depended on insurance and how long that takes. Even though I told her I all ready had an approval she wouldn't give me a ball park. So my question is... how long did it all take for you? I have the seminar on Oct 4, then they'll get me on file and then on the 5th I'll have insurance company fax them the approval too. I know it is different for everyone, but figured if you guys could let me know how it went for you I can tell my mom that this is how long it took you guys and that might help!

Hi Jacque- I was going to see Dr. White, but had to wait 3 months to see him. I believe you first have to see him in his office. You can ask the office if you had approval today, how soon could you be scheduled for surgery. That will tell you something. I think in your situation it depends on: 1. When you can see Dr. White 2. How long insurance takes (varies alot) to approve. 3. How soon he is available to operate. The office staff can definitely answer # 1 and #3. Hope that helps.

You would think they would answer 1 and 3 for me, but they wouldn't!! All she would say is that she couldn't tell me anything until they had a file on me and got the insurance. I told her like 3 times that i had been approved and had a copy of the approval fax in my hands! I was irritated! I wasn't trying to press for extra fast, i was just trying to get a timeline! They aren't starting off very friendly with me!

Jacquie, Have you been to the information meeting yet? There you get a sheet with everything you need to do. I sent in all my documentation and was waiting for the ok about my insurance to go ahead with the psych Eval.. and they were waiting for my Psych before going ahead,, but didnt tell me..so I wasted about 2 months just waiting for them to call.. I didnt call the office because I was yelled at for calling them once before checking on my insurance.. once I found out I was suppse to get psych eval.I got that ,,called them and told them I had that finished and was given a date right then.. I went to Informational meeting in Oct. 03 and had surgery in July. I wasnt real pleased with the office staff before my surgery.. Differant people were telling me differant things.And they were snippy. But afterwards they have been jewels. JeanB

Thanks Jean. At least I know it's not just me! I'm having hubby call them because he has a very flirtaseous (sp?) personality and can normally get what ever he wants out of ladies! lol, have to use that to my advantage sometimes!

I went to the seminar in Jan. of 2004. I didn't need a preapproval. I actually had more trouble convincing the office I didn't need the preapproval. Once they determined they had insurance coverage, they called me on Mar. 2nd and set up a surgury date of May 17th. I had my psych consult on March 16th, and my visit with Dr. White to go over surgury details on April 7th. One thing to be aware of that Dr. Whites office didn't tell me about was you will need to have a presurgical physical, chest X-ray, EKG, and blood work done about 1 week prior. I just had all of this done at my primary Dr.s office and they faxed the results. Hope this helps! Debbie - 88 pounds gone forever!

Thanks for all the info Debbie! At least I can tell my mother something and get her to relax a bit! lol, if that's possible! Jacquie

Well hubby called today and he had absolutely no problem getting info out of them. He said he didn't even have try to push. For the lap band surgery it is only about 30 days till surgery. So I should be able to schedule surgery around the begining to middle of November. Probably not the best timing right before all the eating holidays, But I'm just so excited it will be done!