Changing Surgeons (Sorry really long.)

Well I have been on this journey for a while now. Where to start? Well I thought I was going to be using Dr Hoehn.... Well Maybe not now. I have been trying to get this surgery done early this spring but it seems like all I do is wait wait wait and never get an answer or a call back. I have called the office 4 times in the last month and left messages for them to call me. (Shellys message says she will get back to you within 48 hrs.) Not once has she called me back. I usually have to call and press 0 to get someone at the front desk to get her for me. I understand she is busy but come on not one call back out of four. Well today I called back after not getting a returned call from when I called Monday! Pushed 0 and asked for Shelly to find out whats going on with my file. She said she had thought about calling me today. I said sure you did. she asked what I wanted. I asked if they had sent off for approval yet. she said no that they are working on getting ready to write a letter. I asked when it would be done and I got an answer of whenever we can get around to it. I said don't you want a letter from my PCP? she said yes she was going to ask for that. I thought I'm sure you were. So when I started with them as I had told them the summer months are my busiest months for work and this has to be put on rush.. well their psych took 4 weeks to get me in. Then the Nutritionist took 6 weeks. Now they have not even submitted me to Aetna for their denial which I need to submit to BCBS for their approval.(due to hospital not accepting Aetna) Do the math. Best case scenario. submit  to Aetna  1 week to deny submit to BCBS 1 week to approve see surgeon a week later get preop testing done ie:cardiac testing and others another week see surgeon again a week later get date surgery date 4-6 weeks out is what they are scheduling right now and she said most likely it will be the six week mark not the 4 week.   So we are looking at  the end of MAY Most likely the middle of June...   TOO LATE June is the busiest month for me. No can Do.. That means I would probably have to wait till things at work slow down in November. And I am not willing to wait that long. So today I looked up another surgeon (Wanda Kaniewski, MD, FACS at http://www.iabsobesitysurgery.com/) and talked with her staff. They said If I bring them the Psych Approval and the Nut Approval along with my med records and letter from my PCP they would submit that day. I also found out they accept both of my insurances so it will cost me nothing out of pocket for this.. A big plus in my book. It would of cost me about $400-$800 dollars at the other place. I said How soon can you get me in. She said they just had a cancellation for tomorrow. I will be  meeting with the surgeon tomorrow and they penciled me a surgery date for April 15th already WOW!!! I have a tentative DATE!!! What do you all think I should do? I also don't like the fact that I have to do all of the things DR Hoehn has you do before you even get a one on one with the guy. I know hes a great surgeon but his program is just too slow!

Dr. Hoehn sounds like a real asshole.  I say **** 'EM     tell him to kiss your sweaty 'taint and be on your way. If you are getting the old run around now, what kind of service do you think you will get after this ***** gets paid  Why is this even a question??  Neglectful ****sucker on one hand (and bucks out of pocket) whos been stringing you along vs. attentive, smoking hot lady doc on the other.... I dunno, what do you think would be the right answer? Just kidding 'bro.... this is a big decision,  and should not be made on the  spur of the moment.  Check her stats and then, if she passes the smell  test, go for it. But you already know the answer, don't you  

Don't tell Dr. Hoehn to kiss off...You may need him down the road.  Just tell them you will be pursuing the WLS with Dr. Kaniewski.  I would go on the Main Board and your state board and ask people what they know about her.  If she has alot of procedures under her belt, then go for it.  Good luck.  Brian

Now THAT'S a much better idea    Let 'em think you are still game, get the surgery elsewhere... and then and only then, when you finally DO get that call - tell them that their "services" are no longer required    Hopefully, Quack 'HO-ehn will have been counting on your $$ and miss his Ferrari payment. Revenge is a dish that always tastes best when served up cold 

From my experience the lack of responsiveness only gets worse after the WLS. Much of the promised follow up care is less of a priority to the staff than in the prior period to WLS. Post-WLS you financial value to a Dr. is much less, in a business sense. it sounds like your current Doc's business is growing too fast for the present level of staffing, even if they hire more staff, they will be new and not very well informed on the procedures of working around ins issues and other key elements of the WLS process. I would try the other Dr. if you feel comfortable with the level of skill and experience. Herb

I agree - switch to the new Doc, but I like the idea of doing some research into the new one. Joe

Chris, You know my feelings about Dr. Hoehn and the SMMC program so I do not have to share that with you again.  However, I understand your situation and say do what is best for you and fits into your schedule.  As you check out this new surgeon make sure the supports are there to ensure your success.  As I read many post on this and other WLS boards I see that there is a benefit to the boards and sharing our struggles and successes.  However, I also see the benefit of having a surgeon with a well rounded program around them that assist their patients in accomplishing their goals. Good luck to you as you meet with the new surgeon.  May your journey be one of success. Bill

Well it doesn't hurt to get a 2nd opinion and start reseraching this surgeon and getting approval..once you  have approval for the RNY you can (in some cases) transfer it to another surgeon.  I'd say go for the it.   I changed surgeons ...the first surgeon had me jumping through hoops to submit....I went to Dr. Roslin and he submitted me wihtin a month of my consult (needed nut and psych exam). THANK GOD I DID..because I switched I was able to get the DS!!!!! Scott