Venting!!!

Ok, I had an appointment with the surgeon, Dr Horigan 6/29/09, and I do not like this man!! He was rude as hell if you ask me. First off, yes my letter of denial for VSG was very confusing but after calling them several times for clarification I was told that WLS is a covered benefit but VSG is not one of the type of surgeries that is covered. So I am strongly against Lap Band so my surgeon gets upset and walks out because I told him I don't want lap band and says well I don't do RNY. I asked well when I first came here I was told you do or I would not have wasted my time, so he says well I don't do it on people like you and I only save it for the really sick. So the lady (don't remember her name because I was trying not to be ghetto), was like well let us handle your appeal for VSG and do the IMR 2nd appeal. That would be fine and well but I do not like the surgeon!!! Well anyone in their good mind would say well just go elsewhere......

Well, I called my insurance because I want to go see another surgeon but I am told per my HMO I may not go elsewhere because a WLS program is offered with my current Managed Care group. So I guess I am weighing giving up on the surgery (not an option), going thru the hassle of changing my PCP to go to another hospital, taking the offer of Lap Band, or just doing a second appeal for VSG. I see I am going to have to remove the goal of having surgery before I am 30!! I guess I am going to try the Independent Medical Review but I still don't want to be forced into the band. This surgeon is upset because I don't want to be appealing this for the next 5-6 years!

Wow. I am sorry you had to go through that with the surgeon nonetheless.  I would be kind of leary about returning to this man as well. Let's just hope that he was having an off day. 

I am hoping so, because not that I am appealing again, it would be just my luck if it is approved!