WLS Programs... why so much aggravation?

I have been involved in the Vandy WLS program since August but have been working on getting the insurance requirements done since January.  I have attended two of their seminars, been to all the doctors and had all the tests.  To make a long story short, I have all the necessary things done for submission to the insurance but they wont submit until ALL program requirements are met.  They want me to be completely medically cleared and pay my $250 non refundable fee for the nutrition class plus a one-on-one with the Nut before they even see if my insurance with approve it, but my time is running out.  I have met my deductible for the year already because of all the doctors visits and tests that they, Vandy and my insurance, have required but if I have to wait until after April 1st I will have to pay that deductible again.  I am done jumping through hoops!!  I have started looking into other places to go and Baptist is the only one in network on my insurance.  Can anyone give me some advice or help calm me down?  Thanks for letting me have a place to vent!!

Why would it take until April 1st? What type of insurance do you have? What procedure are you wanting to have?

Do not pay that money to Vanderbilt, they did me the same way. I am lost my mind. I was approved and waited like a month and still did not have a surgery date. I hate to be sounding ugly, but they are way to unorganized . I
had everything done when I went to see them in Jan. 09. and it took 3 weeks for them to even submit my insurance and then they submitted the wrong surgery, so then they had to do it again which took even longer.

Long story short, I went to Centennial and got my surgery asap. I never got my 250.00 dollars back. Go to Baptist if they accept your insurance.

I try to not talk bad about other programs, but it seems they are not getting any better since I was there. Do what is best for you.

Everyone's experience is different. I don't think you should  talk bad about anyone's program. They have had issues with insurance submittal, but alot of what I'm hearing here is not actually not completing the WLS program. I don't bad mouth other peoples programs, so please don't bad mouth mine. I respect others choices to go to other programs, not every program is the same nor for every person. But bad mouthing a program that has very successful patients, just isn't right and I won't sit by and say nothing about it.

Vanderbilt has strict standards for a reason, fat people have food problems and make bad choices. That doesn't change just after you had surgery, and they know that and do their best to help people get prepared for surgery. I've seen people cheat the surgery and a few even do moronic things after surgery that almost cost them their lives. So though you and others may not agree with it, they have good medical  reasons behind their standards.

It would be different if I had not experienced what I talked about. I don't comment on things I know nothing about. I'm very glad you were successful, but I feel this girls pain, because I went through it.

Sometimes experience sharing comes across more like bad talking, but no offense taken. But I have seen too many patients lately with no patience. It's not a race, it's a journey. But I understand her concern with deductibles, as everyone's insurance is getting worse not better.

In your case, I'm sure it worked out better for you since the only doctor who was performing DS there was leaving close to that time, and now is gone. That would have left you in a tough spot.

 I'm sorry to hear you've had a tough time. I don't know your whole situation, and I know at times they do seem to drop the ball. But I will say that the nutrition class is a very important part and I understand them holding you bac****il you've gone through it. It's 3 sessions they have you go through over 3 months and it's a must for all WLS patients there. If you find a place that doesn't make you do something similar, be wary as they aren't educating you before surgery and insuring that you are prepared with the information that you will need to be successful with the surgery. Trust me on this, my mother went through a RNY surgery in 2001 in Ohio with no nutrition classes and she's been paying the price and eventually at my and her Primary care physician's urging she went through a program's nutrition classes. And as far as being medically cleared, this is also for your benefit so that you don't go into this surgery with a problem that can end up causing you problems afterwards or even cost you your life on the operating table.  I know it sucks and may not be what you want to hear, but they do have your best interest at heart. It may not be in the time that you want it to happen, but things seem to happen when we're ready for them.

My advice is go with the program you are comfortable with, but follow their requirements and do what they are telling you to, it will only benefit you.

Good Luck!

Sorry you are having problems with Vandy.  I chose Vandy because my insurance(BCBS of MN) chose Vandy for me.  I haven't had any problems.  I had to complete all that stuff before I got "OFFICIALLY" approved, but I knew before I even contacted Vandy, what my insurance required.  Try to take a deep breath and slow down..sometimes the process takes at least a year....some on this board can testify to that.  It will definitely be worth all the trouble in the end!   It took me right at a year from the first seminar to surgery date!   Don't loose heart!  Erika

Thank you all for your comments.  When I wrote this I didn't explain myself completely.  I was at work and just frustrated with this waiting and "hoop jumping".  I agree with Kenneth that it is necessary for the nutrition class and I have been researching WLS for what seems like forever.  I have been to 2 seminars at Vandy and 1 in Louisville.  I have heard Dr. Williams speak at both and have even met with him.  My problem is that I am aggravated that Vandy won't submit to my insurance what they require WHILE I finish their requirements so that when the insurance approves I will be done with everything so we can get the surgery going faster.  The deal with April 1st is my insurance starts over on that date every year instead of on Jan 1st and I really can't afford to pay my deductible a second time after all the medical expenses I have been out so far.  I know it takes a year or so to get surgery once you start a program.  Technically I started working on my insurance requirements in January.  I agree with the being prepared and I am not trying to knock a program and step on any toes, I just thought I had a place to voice my discontent.  Sorry if I upset anyone but I hope now you can see where I am coming from.  I am just frustrated.  I feel like I am in a hamster cage running on the wheel and not going anywhere! 
Dizzy Cin 

I can understand your frustration with that, looking at it from that point of view. But I know they've had alot of patients that it takes a little more time with it than originally planned as well. I'd recommend talking to Jaime Allbritten Reid and seeing if maybe after you've been through the first and second nutrition visits if they can maybe go ahead and submit you to get insurance approval, if you've already met your insurance requirements, just to speed it up. It can't hurt. Jaime is the Program Coordinator and she can be reached at (615) 343-8988 or [email protected]

Good luck!!!