Feeling Discouraged about waiting

Hello to everyone and happy holidays! I recieved a surgery date from my doctor sometime ago and with the date coming up I am really getting discouraged because his office has not even contacted my insurance company yet. I am realyl confused because I LOVED the surgeon that I have been seeing. I first saw him in 6 months ago and finished my waiting period with the insurance company a few weeks ago and now feel like I have hit a wall and have to wait even longer. I don't want to see someone else but I am beginning to feel like the coordinator at his office is just not concerned with my case. I have called her a few times and not recieved a call back or called and it seems like she has no clue who I am even though we have been talking for sometime now. I am really thinking about changing surgeons, I loved the doc I saw but I had really set my heart on having this done before my birthday in Feb. I just wanna get some feedback from some people that I am sure have been where I am at already....please tell me what you think, should I wait or should I consult with someone else? Thanks and once again have a happy and blessed new year to all!!!!

Personally, I feel since you've invested so much time and energy, I would not change surgeons. Instead, I would start calling daily and making myself known. I discovered, not just with the weight loss surgery, but with other surgeries on myself and other family members, I learned that we have to be our own advocates. This is something that is incredibly important to you, so stand up and be your own advocate with the surgeon's office. Ask questions, ask if they've sent in the paperwork, ask if you've officially been approved, if no, ask why and what has to be done to get it approved. This is so important, so don't let anyone derail you on this. Good luck and happy New Year. Sue

I agree. Call and bug them everyday until they give you an answer. sometimes you might even have to call twice. I've learned (after working at a doctors office) that you are only important to yourself and they really don't understand how important things are to a patient. Also have you tried calling you insurance company just to double check? Good luck.

Hi i just want to say bug the hell out of them i called so much and then i asked to speak to the doctor also (they really move it then) i made myself known to this day the whole office knows me an when i had surgery no need pulling my chart....lololololll. when is your surgery date and did they say when they were going to get approval....bug them bug them bug them good luck

Hi and thanks for replying to my post, I was given a date for surgery on 1/14 but with the looks of things that is completely impossible! Its like I said I really liked the surgeon but I am discouraged by my experience with his surgical coordinator becuase it seems she is always so distracted and on another page and the page she is on has nothing to do with my surgery. I am going to keep at it thought I am not at all giving up I just started to get really worried by how things were going.

Being your own helth are advocate is imperative. Call, ask the coordinator name, ask what you have ?? about, Hi this is Jamila, I saw Dr. X last on this date, was given this surgery date, I completed my preop req, I am inquiring as to the process now, what is required of me? When can I expect my insurance to be contacted for approval, what is your expected approval date if all goes smoothly? If she gives u a date they will submit, call the insurance co to f/up keep a list of dates/times/names and what u wee told, then if she didnt submit cal back say on such and such a date i was told my insurance approval would be sumitted, I called my insurance spoke w/ ms so and so they have nbo record, I am calling to follow up in this, can you tell me when the request was faxed? can you refax, what is the preop process, do I need another apt w/ the surgeon, any other info, tests, when will I expect to be contacted about preop testing at the hospital, any other ? if she can not answer, ask for someone who can, if she is snotty ask for her supervisor, everyon deserves respect, YOU ARE the customer and deserve service, this is not being rude, or needy this is what is expected normally to be told to you. IF you change surgeons now that is an option but know it could delay your surgery months/yrs.....be well, advocate, document and follow up routinely, if done in a professional courtesous manner you whouldnt have issues w being labeled a problem patient, keep to the facts, etc! Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45 before Surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

PERSONALLY speaking that would put a bad taste in my mouth pre op. WHAT is gonna be if your post op and you phone with a problem? they not gonna call you back? not know who you are??? I know that was another sell point to my surgeons office that an office visit or phone call always felt like i was amongst careing family! and i have to say the two times i had problems post op they were right there and ontop of things immediately! JUST my thoughts and opinion! ONLY you can decide whats best for u and ur needs. I needed a very careing surgeon and office staff...! hugs lisa

Don't get discouraged. I know someone who didn't insurance approval until the day before his surgery. Granted that is very nerve wracking, but don't get discouraged. Ask the insurance coordinator in his office if it is their standard practice to put in for approval closer to your surgery date. Also call the insurance company and ask how long they usually take to process approval. Keep your chin up. Joanne