Ok, I have this thought (warning:long vent)

Even before I posted yesterday about how impatient I am, I was toying with the idea of changing doctors in my mind..............Dr. Wright was fine, kinda impersonal, but I don't like being at the mercy of a single secretary who seems to wield so much power over my future..............Let me explain, I originally began this journey last summer............I talked to my PCP about referring me for the GBS............at the time, Blue Cross/Blue Shield was at war with TriStar, hence the reason I was referred to someone at Vanderbilt.............I wrote a letter detailing my weight loss efforts and such in July and was given an appt sometime in October 2002...............Lisa later called and moved it up to September.............at the time, my husband and I decided to give having another baby one more shot, so I cancelled my appt..............by January, we had been told the fertility doctor would not due another cycle of IVF until I lost like 103 lbs................so we decided to go ahead with the GBS and I'd try getting pregnant again when I am 18-24 mos out of surgery....................so I call Lisa back as BC/BS is still feuding with TriStar...................this time I get told I have to do a six month physician supervised diet with my PCP before they will give me a date to consult with Dr. Wright...................now for someone who wants everything yesterday, this sucked...............but I did 6 mos of dieting, icluding a 11 week Weigh****chers session in there.................I also saw a pulmonologist and had a sleep study done documenting sleep apnea.......................on top of all that, I was also diagnosed with non-insulin dependent diabetes.................at 5 mos, I called Lisa for an appt and was given 7-2-04................this time I didn't get in early due to someone cancelling an appt.............but see the good doctor I did............he couldn't give me even an educated guess at when the rest would be completed simply told me to give Lisa a call.................I did and was told it would take them 2 weeks to formulate his letter to my insurance company and then the insurance would have 4 weeks to make a decision...............however, when I call them at 2 weeks, the lady who does precert doesn't even bother to call back and I'm told they are so far behind people who saw Dr. Wright in late May and June still haven't had their stuff sent in because they are short staffed in precert............now all this time I am trying to figure out why Vandy can't get their sh*t together and be efficient...............so if I don't get a "we've got your paperwork ready to go and faxing it (a certain date) or it's gonna be this long", then I am thinking of telling them I fire them because they suck at efficiency...............my concern is Dr. Wright doesn't require the same kinda pre-op testing some doctors do, such as a scope and all that..............He said it's a waste of money..............and I've done alot in my life but I just don't know if I can have a light shoved down my throat or not...................so please let me hear stories on the doctors you all used in case it comes to switching.

Sorry but I can't help to giggle @ the whole Lisa incharge thing... STILL! As I posted below - I've met with Dr. Wright and Lisa! They were my first doctor in my journey of weight loss surgery. I'm glad fate made where I didn't have him has a doctor! I went through 2 more doctors.... Then found Dr. Hruska in Clarksville - I LOVE HER! LOVE HER! She's kind, caring, and I do believe she ENJOYS helping her patients. Dr. Hruska's office staff and Nurses are WONDERFUL! They'll answer all your questions, deal with the insurance company FOR YOU..... Did I say how much I loved Dr. Hruska and her staff? If not, I LOVED HER! Then again, how can I not? She gave me a 2nd chance of living life! Good luck with your search. I'd totally start finding a new doctor, but that's just my opinion. You can always look for a new doctor but just not tell Dr. Wrights office.... -Katie

Hi Kelly, sounds like we're in the same position. I see Dr. Barry Maves, GI in Knoxville, his number is 865-588-5121 ext. 1621 for Peggy. I am unable to swallow the tube because they can't numb the back of my throat with lidocaine. I'm put to sleep for it and believe me, it's a lot easier. The Dr. is a real sweetie. Looks so much like the guy that plays Munch on Law and Order Special Victims Unit. I kid you not. He has a great personality. You might check with him regarding the test if you find you need to have one. Anyone that has a BMI of 30 or more 99% chance they have sleep apnea. Hope this helps just in care you need it. Best of luck with God's love, Kathy

Hi Kelly, listen sweetie, I was reading my posts and posted you a message in mine. Please go to Kathy Newton "Need a Prayer" I hope that what info I gave you will help you later down the road. Kathy with love

Yes, this can be a long and agravating journey. Dr. Wright did my RNY 3 years ago, he is a truly gifted surgeon. Vandy is a large hospital and the insurance people work for Vandy, not Dr. Wright...so Lisa has no control over or knowledge of when things go out. Dr. Wright has a very low complication rate, I have had NO complications, never been sick, not once in 3 years. The olnly pre-op testing I had was a blood test and an EKG. I think it boils down to: are you willing to wait for him, or do you want to change horses in mid-stream and take chances on the same happening elsewhere (you're already in the middle of the river now!!!). Yes, there are other wonderful surgeons out there...but they have waiting times, too. I would worry about the ones you could get in to see very quickly, there's a reason they are not busy. Good luck, with whatever you decide, Cyndi Open RNY 6/19/01 368/150ish LBL 4/1/04 BL/BA, arms, lower leg lipo 6/17/04 Transformation complete!

I live in Nashville (Spring Hill actually) and I first went to Vandy. They told me it would be 10 months out before surgery, best case. I agree they seem to have trouble getting it all together. My insurance is through COBRA now, so it will not last forever. I could not wait that long, so I went to the Bariatric Center at Centennial Medical Center. I have surgery scheduled for next week with Dr. David Dyer. He is a little stiff, but an excellent surgeon which is what I was worried about!! They have been great so far, and I hope my good streak continues on to next week and post-op. Jules