I am absolutely sick with disappointment.....

Hi everyone, I have been in the process of getting a surgery date since April, I have had a sleep study done, seen a cardiologist, have an EGD scheduled, and had a psych eval done, got approval from my insurance company, and now am finding out that the hospital where my surgeon will do the surgery, the only hospital where my surgeon will do the surgery, is about to terminate it's contract with my insurance company Anthem BCBS. They are still negotiating, but it doesn't look good at all. So now I probably will not be able to have this surgery, and I'm sick with disappointment and in tears. This is the second event that has happened during this eight month journey that has threatened my possibility of having this surgery, and I'm starting to wonder if perhaps it's just not meant to be for me. I feel like it may be bad luck to switch surgeons, but I thought I would ask everyone if you could recommend a surgeon to me. Happy new year, Rhonda Carter

Here are some of the local surgeons. Sorry for the misspelling Kerlakian-Good Sam Gersin Fischer Fegelman Martin Fallang -Dayton There are some others also. I belong to a local support group in Cincinnati. We have a meeting this Friday night. Check out the website for further info as well as the one here on what doctors are available. Don't despair yet. www.wlsbutterflynetwork.org

Rhonda, So sorry to hear about the impending change regarding the hospital and your insurance company. Do you have any idea when the contract will be terminated? Hopefully you will be able to have the surgery before the termination goes into effect. If not, just want to make you aware of Dr. John Maguire in the Dayton area. He is an excellent, compasionate surgeon, and operates out of Kettering Memorial Hospital. I know it's a little drive from where you are, but lots of people travel from out of state to have their surgery done by him. Please don't despair, there is hope for you to be on the losing side this year. Ginny

Mid-Ohio Surgical Associates in Columbus, with surgery at Mt. Carmel West is the only central Ohio facility that is covered by Anthem. I heard that OSU is now taking Anthem, but most of the doctors don't yet. This didn't happen until after my WLS, so it wasn't an option for me. So if you don't mind the drive to Columbus, I can highly recommend Dr. Custer. For more info, you can check out: http://www.midohiosurgical.com

Rhonda - do not despair! I take it that you have Anthem! Remember that they said that if you have OUT OF NETWORK benefits as part of your policy, you will be treated as "in network" by the Health Alliance! Check you insurance book. I doubt if you will be able to get through to customer service at Anthem anytime soon. Trust me, you currently have the very best surgeon in the area (he did mine and my husbands, so I'm a little biased!) . Consider this a bump in the road, and not a road block. Hang in there! Sue

I started back in NOV. of 2002 and had surgery in Sept.of 2003.At first I thought HELL it will never come and what a long time to wait,Now I thank GOD for that time period of waiting.I had a chance to study and ask many questions most of the questions I asked were in this group it made it easier for me to recover.

Rhonda, I went through the same thing with the Bariatric Treatment Centers in Ypsilanti. You cannot give up. I don't care if you have to cry to everyone there. Tell them to fit you in somehow. Take the next available date. If you don't give up, it will happen for you trust me. It happened for me and I don't regret one single moment, it was all worth it. Good luck to you and see you on the other side.

Rhonda, If all esle fails and you can try for a small loan. The surgeons in Mexico are very well trained and speak english. Some will include air fare, hotel Hospital and all inclusive procedures. Check the net and research it. cant hurt. I am going to Tijuana total cost 8,500. Debby 401k have allowances for medical care not coverd.

Mt Carmel's price for cash is $10k for the hospital and $3k for the surgeon. Everyone has their own opinion, but I would prefer to stay closer to home just in case of any complications. Plus I can't imagine flying home with staples and a drain.