Should I switch doctors??

I have gone completely through the processto get a LapBand with Dr Woodman in Memphis. Dr Woodman has a wonderful reputation (surgical, not bedside) and I really wanted to have my surgery with him. My problem is his office staff is impossible. His receptionist makes you feel like she is doing you a favor by answering the phone and while in the office one day I heard her making fun of another patient who was on the phone! My insurance packet wasn't turned in and when I called to let them know the receptionist said, "Insurance companies always say that they don't have it and they do, so be patient." Turns out they didn't have it and I had been waiting around for 3 weeks thinking approval was coming any day. I would probably still be waiting if it weren't for my husband getting his approval (they were supposed to be sent at the same time.) I have been given incorrect information about testing. I was told to not eat anything after midnight for my testing and to just stop by and have your labs drawn anytime except on the day of the testing. WRONG! You can't just stop by to get your labs, you have to go in the morning and be fasting. This caused me to have to take an additional 1/2 day of work because I took an afternoon to get my labs done, drove 40 minutes to get to the lab and then couldn't get it done. I then had to take another 1/2 day to do my labs and another to do the other testing. The people at the lab said it happens all the time. Then because my husband was now ahead of me we can't get or surgeries together which we have wanted from the start. When they scheduled my husbands surgery they said they would be able to get me in too. Now 7 days later they said basically "tough" He has already gotten people to cover him for work(he is a fireman and cannot just be off) and can't change and we already had people set-up to take our kids for Spring Break and someone to stay with us. Now I won't be able to get help until summer and by then my infant will weigh more than 15 pounds so I will need help for a longer period of time. My main concern is I am going to have to deal with them for the rest of my life and since I can't be done with my husband, why am I putting up with them. I have completed everything, so I am sure switching now will be more headache but is it worth it? I also have three other family members that want to be banded also but I am now sending them elsewhere. What do you all think??? Amanda

You are the customer! It seems that doctors,insurance companies, etc. have forgotten that!! I was sort of in the same predicament that you are, and honestly at the time I really felt like I was just being mistreated, and ignored, and basically being treated like a number.... BUT I know in my heart that it led me to my new doctor, and his wonderful angels that work for him!!! I like you had waited, and when my insurance company denied me, they basically gave up! I had gotten enough information on this site that I knew I just couldnt take that as a final answer! I basically took charge of my own destiny... I took charge of my life, and did not leave it to total strangers that only saw me as a policy number, or another file. So I found me a new doctor (he had actually operated on a girl at work last year, and she highly reccomends him! I know the Lord directed me that way. I in no way would tell you what to do, I am just giving you my experience. I am waiting for my approval any day to come, and my "angel" at my surgeons office has been with me from the moment I sent in my info. She is standing on the line with me... it feels awesome to have that support, and know that someone is fighting right along with you. It its a fight! You have to fight for you!! Bottom line, if you aren't comfortable, THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG. See it as a sign to back up and give it some serious thought and prayer as to what you should do. I wish you all the best, and if you want any more info or want to ask me anything, please feel free to email me. I pray for strength in you and your husbands journey. Be blessed, Sonya

I agree with Sonya...you have to fight for your rights! But I have a question...does your surgeon know this kind of behavior is going on by his staff? I think you should schedule a time to have him sit down and hear you out for at least fifteen minutes. Even if you decide to change doctors, he needs to know people are being treated this way. And as for the one making fun of a patient where you could hear? Number one, it was wrong! Number two, it made it worse that she did it where another patient could hear her. Also, the lab said it "happens all the time"???? Then why in the world doesn't someone do something? Could be because no one is complaining enough. I would let your surgeon know what is going on and tell him that it has become so difficult that you are considering changing surgeons. If he is worth his salt, he will do something and fast. If he doesn't, then that just may be your answer. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

I went through a similar situation... the first doctor I chose... I couldn't get them to submit my stuff to insurance... took them five weeks and I kept emailing and calling and finally they did it!! My first visit was not pleasant. the front receptionist was cold, looked and acted like they didnt even LIKE fat people... I got sick of dealing with them and changed doctors. Here is the reason. You will spend a lot of time with them, on phone calls, future visits, they become your family... I think you need to be comfortable with the office too... but if you reallkyl want that doctor, tell him what happened and maybe he will clean house.

Amanda... so sorry you are having such a time and your surgeon's staff is not helping you along .I live near the Miss-Ala line(Pickwick area) and I chose to go to Nashville my surgeon is Dr David Dyer, he is in with 2 other surgeons Dr. Houston and Dr. Olsen at the Tace buliding across the street from Centennial Hospital. He is on the ASBS board and Centennial is on the Center of Excellence #615-342-5830 Dr Dyer's nurse ,Robin and Johanna who does all the phone calls and prep workk are very helpful and friendly understanding & professional and will do everything they can to speed things along I feel like they are my freinds . They will help you! If you are having these kinds of problems now can you imagine what happens if you have any kind of problems later????? Like Dr. Phil always says " The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior".... you can ask for your medical records or even have them sent to your new doctor if you sign a consent form only they someteimes have a way of "getting lost" unless you get them in your hand and "walk' them over .. been there ,done that whatever you decide the very best of luck to you ..I love my band down 38lb.. I am an older lady and lose slow lol.. I had absolutley no pain or gas or problem with my surgery Dr David Dyer is wonderful and the more you know him, the better you will like him he even gives out his home number in case you need it , can't beat that! Arianna

Get out while you can....they are relying on the fact that you have already committed so much time and energy to them that you will put up with whatever kind of crap they throw at you. If these people have no more consideration for the people who pays their bills than what they have already shown you....then do you really want to have to deal with them AFTERWARD? Trust me on this....go somewhere else or you will regret it. Make sure to send a letter to the doctor letting him know why he has lost so much money on potential clients. No one should have to put up with what they've put you through already.

Amanda, I too am a patient of Dr Woodman, however I am 6 months post op. When I first began going to him I thought I would never be able to deal with him. I never had problems with his staff except Ann, and she is no longer there. I've never had any trouble with Michelle, the receptionist. However, when I call I always deal with Kelly. She's the best and will go above and beyond for you. As for Dr Woodman, yes his bedside manner stinks but as time goes on he gets better. Like I said I've been a patient of his since Febrauary 2006 and had surgery (RNY) on September 1, 2006. I don't know what kind of insurance you have but let me warn you if you change doctors now you will have to start over with the approval process. I considered changing when it took so long for Ann to send my paperwork to Aetna so I called Aetna and asked them what their suggestion was and I was told stick with the doctor you have unless you have the time and patience to start over. Its totally up to you but I would say give it a chance. Don't deal with the receptionist, she's just that, someone there to answer the phones. Kelly or Laura are the people you need to deal with. Karen

I would really think about switching surgeons, if I were you. There are several surgeons in the Memphis area, and I hate to say it, but I have heard of people having problems with Dr. Woodman. I don't know if those problems were with him or the surgery or his staff, but I have heard of problems. I would recommend that you look into Dr. McGrath-Weaver, who is also in Memphis. I had to switch surgeons also (I am pre-op for lap-band), but my reason was because the surgeon I originally chose (Dr. Olsen in Nashville) wasn't in-network for my insurance. To be honest, I am glad I had to switch, because I had started having second thoughts about having Dr. Olsen as my surgeon because he isn't super-experienced with the lap-band procedure. I have heard lots of good things about Dr. McGrath-Weaver. She's young, but she's very experienced from what I've heard. So far, I have only good things to say about her office staff. Since I live about 7 1/2 hours away from Memphis, I email the office manager instead of calling, and she is always happy to promptly answer my emails. When I've called the office, the person I've talked to was nice and polite, and didn't seem like I was bothering her. Heck, I even chose Dr. McGrath-Weaver over a surgeon in Knoxville, which is only a couple hours away from me. The other plus side? Dr. McGrath-Weaver's office (St. Francis Center for Surgical Weight Loss) is the only Center of Excellence for bariatric surgery in Memphis, and one of only four in Tennessee. The bottom line is that if you are having second thoughts about your surgeon, there is probably a good reason. Don't ignore your gut feeling.