Cannot decide what to do

Hi, it's been a long time since I last posted. I was rejected by my ins due to an exclusion in my contract last year. Needless to say I took it very very hard but come January I switched to new ins that is a little more WLS friendly. I have a problem. All last year leading up to my surgery rejection I loved going to Dr Graber's office but in this go around I really feel very uncomfortable there. At my first re-consult I was kept waiting over an hour past my scheduled appointment time (I was on "lunch" from work and had to go back to the office and make up my time) and then I was pretty much treated like a child bc I had gained weight since last year. (IDK, isn't that what fat people do? Would I need surgery if it was easy for me to do it on my own?) Anyway, the nurse (who I formerly really liked and who is a WLS patient of Graber's herself) said that Dr Graber would not be very happy to see I had gained 10 lbs. This really brought me down and discouraged me bc I had started WW the week before and according to their scale lost 4lbs. This information fell on deaf ears though. Then seeing Dr Graber was quick (which was good bc of the long wait before the appt) but then at the end he began to ask me if my husband was overweight, I said no. Were my parents and siblings overweight? No. I figured he was just getting some history but then the question: Anyone you work with overweight? Yes, I said puzzled. He said "Good, send them all here." HUH? I told him most of my work friends are only slightly overweight but he said he knows there are lots of people where I work and surely some of them are heavy. I said yes I guess so. And he said "good, tell everyone you know about us". I really felt like the whole thing was about how much money he could get out of me via my friends. I was so uncomfortable but let it slide. Now I am in the strange position of having made a couple of inquiries at the office, via email, and via phone about changing my surgery date (have been requesting since I received the letter over a month ago) and whether or not a lot of the preadmissions testing needs to be repeated since it has been less than a year. I can get no straight answers or action. I was told I would not have to repeat my sleep study as no apnea was found before but it is still on my list of preop things to do. Calling the office only got me put off and I have yet to hear back. Same thing with inquiries about the nutrition and exercise consult. These are not required by ins but only by Graber. It has not been so long I have forgotten what was said and my ins will not pay for these. Needless to say, last year I had spent over $1000 on pretesting and I cannot afford to do it all again. I tried explaining this but was told someone would call me back later. I am still waiting... IDK, so confused and on top am going through terrible nerves and depression and the lack of sensitivity and compassion in the office is just making things worse. I want to switch but he is the only laparoscopic RNY guy close to me. I could go to Syracuse or Cooperstown but hate to have to drive so far for appointments. Please please please tell me I am overreacting...

Britt - I think that maybe you might have misunderstood and think that you & Sizzlene have the same Doctors(if I understand correctly.) She has Dr.GRaber and you have Dr. GARber. Just butting in! Diane

No, I am so far from the island it isn't funny. I am waaaaay up in Northern NY. I did get a response on some things yesterday but again the Dr's overall attitude on that re-consult is really bothering me. I hate to think it but I just get the feeling that he is only interested in numbers. That said, I hate to have to start all over again.

He is a good Dr, but like I was told when I went to him If you are looking for warm and fuzzy, NOT HERE. Also he does not pull any punches. He will tell you straight up, no sugar coating from him. I feel his medical knowledge far out weighs the things that you have noticed. I have noticed them also in my follow up visits. If him comenting on a 10 lb gain now is an issue, wait till after surgery and about 3 years down the line when things arn't so easy and you go for a follow up. They are even more critical then, because we do not want to end up back where we started. I know I did not go through this surgery to end up at 400 lbs again. And also his office is so busy that it usually does mean a wait at times. But I know of others that get in and out at their Dr, get a nicey nice DR(seems nice) and have many issues later down the road and find out later that there are things that they did not know about.. Just remember this shows his office is taking the time needed with each patient, not just pushing them through to make the next appointment. If you have any questions feel free to email me. [email protected] Good luck Betty Jo Lap RNY 7/11/03 238 inches & 196 lbs gone

what about trying out dr. fitzer who is in with graber. he is doing my lapband on 3/5.i like this office better than the bariatric ctr in syracuse. had to go to him cause mvp only deals with hosp.of excell. IMO i just get a better vibe in that office. goodluck . feel free to contact me.

Have you thought about Albany Med. It is a 2 hour drive from you. Great Doctors and a Great Bariatric Program. I drive almost 2 hours each way to work so for me it was a not a big deal having a surgeon almost 2 hours away. Just my 2 cents. Hugs... Lori

Sorry to hear of your frustration. I know Booneville well as we make the trek from Albany every summer to the Logging show in August. My 2 cents.... Some of the tests you will have to repeat just because it's been so long and they want to be sure your body can handle the surgery. I had my surgery done in Springfield, MA. There are plenty of Dr's here in Albany that could have done it but I just wasn't happy with the dr's or their staff (same type of thing your describing). I did all my preop testing locally and had it all sent to Springfield. Only travel I had to do was for preop surgery test about 2 weeks before, then surgery, then post op checkups. My opinion, it was worth it... he was a great surgeon and I've had absolutely no problems. I've lost 90lbs in 5 months. My surgeon was Dr. Fiallo our of Baystate Medical Center. Should you want more info feel free to email me. Good luck! Renee