MAD AS HELL!!!!

Hello everyone. I'll make this long story short, I would just like some feedback before I go into the doctors office tomorrow yelling and screaming. I saw the new bariatric surgeon here in my city a year ago. We got things moving even though insurance wasn't yet covering this doctor. I did all the testing, even that sleep apnea machine, which I hated, even the psychological testing which turned out to be not so bad. My insurance finally goes through April of the year almost a whole year of waiting. They bring me in the office and tell me I must see the nutritionist/dietician again and I missed 2 appts with her, never missing not a one before, and I missed with good reasons. They wrote me a letter and told me I was no longer a candidate for surgery!!! Is this right? Can this be? I need some advice. Do I start over with another doctor and go in kicking and screaming to the doctor I've already seen. Hope everyone is doing well. To those that are waiting, be patient, we definitely learn patience don't we? To those who have already gone through the surgery, Congratulations!!!! I hope you're all doing well. Lisa from Niagar Falls

Lisa, I guess if it was me I would pick another surgeon, since your tests are over a year old (is that right?) they would have to be done again anyways. I also would not feel good with the Dr's office that made me go through all of that to begin with. I would call the office and find out what is going on with them, since you have nothing to lose. I would hold them accountable for that letter and just see what they say to you. That is just my 2 cents, which is not much but I hope it helps ya some....~hugs~ Take care and good luck, keep us posted! Debra P

Hey, Lisa I'm from Niagara Falls as well. If I were you I would switch docs. I'm going to have my surgery done by Dr.O'Malley in Rochester. I'm so excited, he has such a great reputation and his patients have nothing but good things to say about him. I will be going to the mandatory group session this thursday at 1pm. If you need someone to chat with or any help please feel free to contact me.

Lisa, I live in Lockport and am going to Dr. Dibenadetto. He operates out of Lockport Memorial and I really like him. Perhaps you can call his office in the morning. They do have you go to a seminar before your first appointment. I go for my initial consult on Tues. Good luck with your journey. Chris

Hi Lisa, I would be mad as hell too if that happened to me. I don't know if I could comfortably continue to see that doctor... I mean what If he decides to pull that crap after you've had surgery? Are you suppose to start looking around again? If you choose another surgeon there are a couple of them who are excellent in Rochester. Some of your other responses mentioned Dr. O'Malley, and from what I've heard about him he is excellent. The only problem with Dr. O'Malley is that it takes forever to get in to see him. When I was just starting out I called his office and they were booking 6 months in advance just for the mandatory seminar you have to attend before you see the doctor. I didn't want to wait that long so I kept looking and I found my Doctor... Dr. Iannoli, and I am soo happy that I did. It didn't take long to get into see him and you don't have to have every test under the sun before he will agree to do the surgery. Also, if you don't live in the area, you can choose your own nutritionist and pyschiatrist (that's what I did). Those are the only 2 requirements that I had to fulfill before he would schedule surgery. If you want any other info on Dr. I, just let me know and I'll be glad to help you out -- he's really a great doctor. Good luck to you, hon. I know how frustrating the waiting is when all you want to do is get on the losing side so you can reclaim your life! Hugs, Lisa Z

Which doc did you see? I had mine done by Dr. Caruana and several of my friends had theirs done by Dr. Posner. One of them is sure to be on your list, although the wait for either one of them is lengthy. Get your referral from your primary care and then phone ahead to find out what the requirements are. There are quite a few of us here on the list from Buffalo and the surrounding areas. Good luck!