Looking for quick resolution
Wen,
A lot of surgeons in Mass do require weight loss. I chose one who didn't, but another doctor in the same office requires you lose 10% of your weight before surgery. Some programs in Mass are also very long (like UMASS).
Also, I think some insurance does require weight loss (like Medicaid), so some programs just set up certain requirements that are high enough for all insurance to accept, and apply them to everyone. That's my guess, anyway, to avoid the "Why didn't my friend/sister/the lady in the waiting room have to lose weight?"
I have another theory on why you are better off going to Boston. Boston has some of the best hospitals in the country, no doubt about that. Also an opinion, but here goes. When a person is in medical school, and ready to go out and get a job, they make a list of the hospitals they would like to work at. The hospital gets a list of all applicants interested, and they pick and choose who they want. The good hospitals are at the top of everyone's list, so they get the cream of the crop. Every new doctor wants to work at a prestigious hospital, like Brigham & Women's or New England Medical Center. Trust me, a Stanford medical student did not put CMC or the Elliot at the top of his list, unless maybe he is from here, so in your small local hospital you get qualified doctors, but not the best of the best, because they get the doctors the better hospitals didn't want. The reason they are better hospitals is better doctors.
I know when I was in Brigham & Women's, there was a medical student there from Stanford, born and raised in California, who was top of his class and was matched with Brigham, and when I wanted to leave early from the hospital he said "Please stay at least one more day. Trust me, you don't want to be treated in a New Hampshire emergency room. I have seen a lot of doctors who couldn't pass muster here sent to New Hampshire."
Wow, I should right a book of useless opinions!
Good luck,
Carrie
sDear Christine,
I live in NH but chose to have my surgery done in Rhode Island. I chose RI because it was the closest "Center Of Excellence" issued by the ASBA (American Society of Bariatric Surgery). None of the Boston hospitals or NH hospitals are certified as a center of excellence. I was totally shocked. I bring my daughter to Boston for her neurologist because of the excellence in medicine here. I received my first appointment with my Doctor a few weeks after attending the first meeting with him. He does require you to attend one informational seminar before you can make an appointment to see him. I went to the meeting and called at 9am the very next day. I told them I was coming from NH and I had an appointment within a few weeks. He requires you to lose 10lbs before surgery because most obese people have enlarged fatty livers. During surgery, the doctor has to lift up the liver to reach the stomach and esophagus where they make your pouch. He says that even just 10lbs can make a huge difference in your liver. This makes the small space for which he has to work in much larger. Laparoscopic surgery is hard enough on an obese person, more room is important. He also says this helps with the complications. His complication rate is very, very low. This is one of the main reasons I chose him. I also know that each insurance company has is own criteria that they and you have to follow. It is different for each state. Even within the same company like BCBS. It can be the state or even the plan that requires you to do different things. I like you, knew exactly what I wanted and didn't want to fuss around and wait. I also wanted a doctor that had a proven track record. That is where the "center of excellence" comes into play from the ASBS. I checked out their website first, then I talked to ObesityHelp.com. They helped me tremendously. I hope this helps......email me if you have any more questions....and good luck in your journey !!!!
That must be a very very new development, when I went to the Dartmouth meeting last month they still did it. Which location did you go to? Machester, Or the main hospital. I went to the main hospital and they did them there...and if you start the program there, you have to complete it there. You can't do the main hospital program and then take classes in Manch. Pain in the butt, but you might at least still be able to get it.
try calling the other hospitals, CMC, Portsmouth, St. Joe.
As for me. i found a gorgeous program at Brigham and womens I wanted to use SOOOOOOOOOO bad, but i found out that my insurance doesn't cover them "in-network" so i'm screwed. And I'm back at square one.
Good luck to you ladies, looks like I'm being forced into a cookie cutter program...which I despise. Still trying to pick a new hospital...but can't get the jerks to return phone calls.
Christine, I agree with you, I just had my surgury done on 7/26/06 at Saints Memorial hospitial in Lowell.
They too have an extensive pre-weight loss program and 8-12 month waiting program.. I am glad you choose Boston. I really wish I had! while waiting, my insurance plan changed, exclududng weight loss, causing me to have to appeal and fight for the procedure. the In addition the program charges $400.00 for what I dont know. The hospitial was the worst I have ever seen or been in!!(and I am a nurse) very , very dirty. The programs follow up program has failed me. I have been home 6 days today and so far no phone call from anyone!! I was told I would recieve a phone call on monday, and not to start my liquid protien drinks intill then. well I guess their starving patients are not that important to them. I tried to reach someone on staff but no luck. (I was told sorry but they are all in orientation (Hosp) ) as they are moving to a new building. so I have basically on my own. (I started the drinks on tuesday) after consulting my own suport group. Friends who have had both lap-ban and RNY. One suggestion check out the hospitial care really well. (rate of infection ect) if it bad it is for a reason. As I found out the hard way !
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