I AM SO FURIOUS......

I just received a call from Dr. Campbell's office canceling my appointment with her on 1/11.....and rescheduling to 2/6! Mind you, THIS IS THE SECOND CANCELLATION .... my initial appointment with her was originally scheduled for 12/19 and was rescheduled to the 1/11 date by her office as they claimed they had not received my file from Melanie (program coordinator of CMC ObesityTreatment Center). I AM JUST FURIOUS. I have never been treated so unprofessionally and insensitively by a doctor's office in my life. Oh - and the surgical date of 2/7 that they gave my insurance company - pure bulls**t. It wasn't a real date but apparently just pulled out of the air and submitted to make sure I would be approved before Dr. Campbell wasted any precious time on someone who might not qualify for surgery. ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!! At this point I am not sure I even want to continue with her...... Anyone got any suggestions? Bonnie

My Sister had Hers done with DR. Campbell A year and a half ago and no problems, but i Had mine done by Dr. Drinkwater in June and I had alot more attention from his program then my sister ever got... I am Kinda Worried about Going To See Her... I Hope you Have Better Luck, and I would Call them and tell How you Feel. Debbie

I'm so sorry that you have to deal with all this frustration. What was the reason for them rescheduling you the second time? I would try to call and ask if it would be possible to get an appointment any sooner. I think you have already won most of the battle by getting approved by your insurance. It might take you longer if you try to go somewhere else. Hang in there, Bonnie. You will make it.

Bonnie, I am so sorry for your frustration! Remember, Dr. Campbell is not the only doctor in the world, you can transfer records, tests, etc., anywhere. I sent you an e-mail. Carrie

Thank you all so much for your support....it means a great deal to be able to vent and have people who understand my frustration and disappointment. Dr. Campbell's office said the 1/11 appointment had to be rescheduled because she was going to be in surgery all day ... duh.....why schedule appointments on a day she is scheduled for surgery? I did ask to be put on a cancellation list in case something becomes available but I am not hopeful as apparently ALL the appointments for 1/11 were cancelled (about 20 people according to her office) and I am sure they all asked to be put on a cancellation list. I just think that is a really poor way to run a bariatric program or an office for that matter! I miss Dr. Drinkwater's program.....I believe it was a much better program with top notch people running it. Sadly, that doesn't appear to be the case with Dr. Campbell and the CMC bariatric program. I have seriously considered going to Brigham & Womens...wonderful hospital and top notch reputation - Carrie, I know from reading your profile that you went there....but I just hate the thought of having to travel so far for follow-up care and not having access to a local support group. Do you mind that at all? I guess I'll just rein in my impatience with Dr. Campbell and go to the appointment now scheduled for 2/6. I know this will happen for me, but it sure has not been an easy road so far. Thankfully, insurance approval isn't something I have to worry about.....one obstacle out of the way! Again, thank you everyone for your suggestions ..... LOL - our NH board is so quiet I was afraid I wouldn't get any responses at all. I'm glad to know you're all out there. Bonnie

Bonnie, I hope you got my e-mail. Brigham & Women's is great, very organized, great hospital, great care. I am not a support group kind of person, so that doesn't bother me, and it's not so far, less than an hour if you don't go early in the morning, and it is soooooo easy to get to, and you park right under the hospital and take an elevator to the doctor's office. Good luck, whatever you decide. Carrie

Bonnie, One more thing....Brigham & Women's charges a $500 "program fee," which is negotiable, based on need, and if you can't afford it, they will not reject you. But, because everyone pays this fee, they have a nutritionist in the office, and you can meet with her whenever you want, as often as you need to, for no charge if your insurance does not cover it, and if your insurance does, there is no copay. Also, the fee covers your 5 year post op visit copays. So, you only have to pay the co-pay on your first appointment, no matter how often you see the doctor. Carrie

Oh boy.....issues issues issues. I had some minor issues with getting responses back from OTC at first. I am not making excuses, but just providing some insight. Bad timing perhaps. Melanies brother passed away one week and then the next week one of the dieticians fathers passed away. So technically they have been running around like crazy and are very shorthanded. I had it relatively easy, got in just in time I would say, before the rush. Everyone seems to be interested now. I had lap-band on 12/15 and am feeling GREAT. I initially started this venture at St. Elizabeths in Brighton, MA and transferred all of my info directly to Dr. Campbell in October. I was lucky that everything went smoothly. My friend Melissa has had the run around with Dr. Campbells office and insurance as well. She got bumped in appointments like everyone else did. I would say that my only complaint about Dr. Campbells office would be that the person dealing with the insurance (Marika) can be quite harsh on the phone. She kind of makes you feel like you are wasting her time and she doesn't appear to like her job very much. Now on the other end of the spectrum.....I actually met her and she is much different in person. She acutally seemed very nice. I guess this whole process is taking people much longer than they anticipated. I can see where all the frustration is coming from and hopefully things will go smoother for you.

Bonnie, I was in Dr. Drinkwater's program and opted to continue with Saints Memorial Hospital in Lowell with Dr. Jiser. Their staff is incredible and very much organized and remind me of the Dr. D's program. They accepted all my progress to date. Yesterday (1-10) I had all my medical tests and I meet with Dr. Jiser on the 20th. I should have a surgery date in early February if everything from the tests yesterday are ok. They have been very understanding and I am impressed with their organization. They also charge a $400 fee - $200 upon your first visit and $200 upon setting a surgery date. If they don't do the surgery I understand it is refundable. This is a fee charged by the hospital and not the Weight Management Team. Perhaps you might want to consider them. Barbara

Bonnie, I have to say, I would change surgeons. My family had a bad experience with Dr Campbell & CMC a few yrs ago. I don't want to elaborate here but it was nasty & insensitive at the least. There are other surgeons & better facilities. Feel free to email me & I can tell you more if it will help. Dr Drinkwater leaving is such a loss for all of us. I am just glad I was able to see him for the last 1 yr plus. I am gong to be continuing with Portsmouth most likely as they are accepting hs patients too. Good luck. Pat