About my first visit w/Dr. Gorospe today

Ok, Don't get me wrong I think Dr. Gorospe is going to be a great Dr. for me.  I am a little disapointed with the proceedure this morning.  I had to take off of work ALL morning, to sit in his waiting room for 2 hours.  I talked to him for 5 minutes.  And in that time I really didn't talk to him much I talked to his nurse about INSURANCE questions.  I found out that my PCP probably isn't documenting enough about my supervised weight loss so there is a possibility I could have to start all over on my 6 MONTHS! (Thats not Dr. G's fault, thats my own!)  I do wish I had known what the requirements for documentation were.  I had to Pay $200.00 for them to weigh me, get my blood pressure and see me for 5 minutes.  That doesn't come off of my surgery price or anything.  I think this is expensive enough without the added price.  BUT I knew that when I went today I would have to pay the fee.  I just expected a little more during the visit, eventhough Dr. G did not rush me or anything.  He would have sat there and talked about the surgery if I could have thought of any questions  to ask him.  I was so worked up over the information I had gotten about my insurance I didn't think about asking questions to the one who's actually using the knife on me! Anyway, thanks for listening!  (Just a quick note!  I met some really nice people in the waiting room!)

Kim, Just a FYI, Weight Wise doesn't charge for your intial consultation. This is the visit that you have where you and your Dr. decide which is the best WLS for you. Best of luck to you on your journey.

Rita

The other Doc in OKC I was going to go to was going to charge $300.00 fee.  But that came off the surgery costs.  I know it would have been so much less expensive for me if I had gone to OKC.  I just wanted to be closer to home!!!  Dr. G did say that gastric bypass was a good choice for me. 

Kim, it's always a good idea to make a list of questions that you think of a few days before your appointment with any doctor. Take your list with you and go down your list with your doctor(s) when you are with them. That way, you won't get flustered or forget your points you want to cover. 

I know that Dr. Gorospe has an outstanding reputation. Be sure to start writing down any questions you might have so that you can cover them at your next visit. I do this with all of my doctors. Otherwise I walk out and think, oh shoot, I forgot to ask this and this ....

Call your insurance company and ask specifically what is required as documentation during your supervised weight loss program. Then make sure your supervising physician's office follows it to a tee. Insurance companies each differ and many will use any excuse to not accept your information as complete. Others may not even require this. It's just up to your specific insurance company what they need/want documented.

I'm glad you weren't rushed and that you had a favorable impression. Just remember to think of your questions ahead of time, write them down, and follow your list during your next appointment.

Different programs have different fees, various programs are contracted with various insurance companies to provide services for specific fees to save you the most out of pocket expense. Some programs are not contracted with insurance companies. It's great to know ahead of time which WLS program works best with your insurance, or which works best if you are a private pay patient. You have the choice of which surgeon you want and which program works best for you financially. And, thankfully, I don't know of any WLS surgeons in our state that aren't great!

Best wishes to you! You're on your way and the healthy journey has started! Congratulations!

Shelly 

Shelly,
Thank you so much for such good info!  I will make notes in the future!  I sure don't mean to complain about Dr. G. I think more than anything I'm just disapointed because I may not get to have my surgery in December Like I had hoped!  But none of that is his fault!  I also didn't like sitting for 2 hours but thats pretty much anytime you see anyone in the medical profession right! 
Thanks for your support! And Words of Loser Wisdom!!
Happy Friday!
Kim

Kim, I sure hope your surgery doesn't have to be delayed, but if it does, you'll have more time to get healthy before surgery time. I know it will be hard if it is delayed, but you're still on the road to getting there and you can make goals for yourself and your health all along the way. 

I know what it's like to get frustrated waiting in physician waiting rooms. I see several specialists, and every time I have an extended wait ... especially in a cold exam room wearing nothing but a flimsy paper gown ... I just try to remind myself that someone else may be having serious problems and need the doctor first. I am comforted by the fact that that particular doctor would put me first if I was in serious condition, even if the waiting area was packed with folks with scheduled appointments. That's how I keep myself calm ... and I also always take my knitting along to productively and enjoyably pass the time. ; )

It's exciting to see how motivated and ready you are for your improved health, permanent lifestyle change and surgery. I know you'll be successful and appreciate it so very much when your day arrives! I wish you the absolute, very best!

Shelly

Just a quick note!
On my way to Owasso today I prayed!  The whole way!  I didn't pray for God to let this surgery happen because I wanted it too.  I prayed for his will to be done.  I just need to keep remembering my prayer.  He may have something else in store for me in December!  So, now that my headache is gone and I am home I definatley am not disapointed with my decision.

Go Kim! I'll be praying for you, too!

Kim I think that is a great prayer and I will pray it for you too.  The best thing we can do is say God I surrender to you, please do your will to help me to the path you think I should go down.  Thats all we can do.  That being said I agree the wait time is crazy but thats how it is in a lot of offices that use cluster style schudling.  They cluster 4-6 appointsments in a 1 hour period hoping they can get them all in within the time frame.  Appointments on days when the doctor (any doctor) is in surgery are rough too.  If there are any questions I can answer for you let me know. 

Wolf!  Thanks for the very nice and helpful post!  I really appreciate the prayer too!  While your at it pray for me to get some patience!  I really need them.  I just keep saying remember your prayer!  You gave it to God!  Let hiim handle it! 
Its so nice to have such a wonderful bunch of losers as my friends!!!  and my Support!!!