brand New to WLS

Hi All, I am so new to this. I live in Exeter and had no idea that there was a support group in RI or people who have had this done. I have UnitedHealthCare of RI (state medical). Has anyone had to deal with them? I finally got my PCP to refer me. She told me to either go to NEMC in Boston or RI Hospital. My ins won't pay for me to go out of state. So I called RI Hospital and they said it is a 6 month waiting list just to talk to a surgeon. Can some of you tell me of your experiences? Where you're located? Where there are meetings? Anything and everything will be appreciated.

Dear Joanne, in response to your question, I know a woman who went with UH Ritecare two years ago and got approved in three months. However, things have changed since then. I myself had UH Ritecare and never received an approval (after three months). I switched insurance companies and went through my job ( Blue Cross Blue Shield) and got an approval in six days. I had gone to a support group meeting next to RI Hospital and what I got out of it is that United Health Ritecare doesn't want to pay for this surgery. I wouldn't give up if I were you but if there is anyway possible to get another insurance carrier, I would jump at the opportunity. I have been doing my preop testing(I have two more to go) and I am expecting to have my WLS in a month. Good Luck on your journey

Hi Joanne! I didn't have United Health Care, I had Blue Cross so I can't help you too much with that question. The two doctors who do the bulk (excuse the pun!) of the RI surgeries are Dr. Roye and Dr. Pohl. Dr. Roye works out of RI Hospital, as you've found out, and Dr. Pohl is located in Johnston and operates at Roger Williams Hospital. I had my consult with Dr. Pohl last year on May 30th. I spent the summer getting my pre-op tests and awaiting insurance approval and had the operation Sept 20. Things have changed a lot since then though. The waiting lists for both doctors have grown a lot longer, with all the publicity from Al Roker and other celebrities having the operation - and also because insurance companies are more willing to approve it than they used to be. I think Dr. Pohl will probably also be pretty close to a 6 month waiting list, to tell you the truth. His phone number is 521-6310; you can call and find out. He is now requiring that prospective patients attend an informational seminar before their first appointment. It's a group meeting where he explains the operation and shows a video of it. A lot of people speed the process up by having their pre-op exams even before their first appt, so that they can be scheduled for surgery sooner. Dr. Pohl has group support meetings at Roger Williams Hospital the third Thursday of every month at 6 pm. Pre-ops are welcome and lots go, but they do ask that you attend the informational seminar I mentioned first - they don't want to tie up the meeting with too many questions about the basics of the operation. If you go to the meeting, enter at the main door of Roger Williams Hospital and follow the "Weigh to Win" signs to the Kay Auditorium in the basement. Both surgeons have excellent reputations but I can really only address Dr. Pohl, since I never met with Dr. Roye. One thing I liked was that I heard from nurses what an EXCELLENT surgeon he is - one told me he's the best laprascopic surgeon in the state. I really wanted my operation done laprascopically and Pohl has a reputation for almost never having to switch to an open surgery. My incisions were very small and the marks can't be seen at all anymore. The operation is the same either way, but with laprascopy you don't run the same risk of hernia later on, and the recovery period is easier and shorter. I've lost 151 pounds and my 11 month anniversary is Wednesday. I've had no complications though I had occasional vomiting that most of us go through in the beginning as we're adjusting to solid food again. I no longer have to take blood pressure medication. The weight loss is going much slower for me now than in my earlier months, but it's still going in the right direction. Good luck in your journey!