Cleveland Clinic

Hi all, after 8 denials, I tried 3 last Dr.'s, one being Dr. Colquitt, this new one moving to West Virginia, and the Cleveland Clinic. If the last denied me then I would not pursue the surgery. They called, and you talk about a regament of a program. Whew. Basically from all that I gathered from the call, their program takes quite a long time to get thru before even getting near the surgery aspect. First you see an Endocrinologist (thyroid) and then sent to see a psychologist, to the nutrionist, back to the Endo Dr. who then decides if you are a candidate for the surgery. If so, then you are sent to another Dr. who will do a complete physical, back to the Endo. In the mean time, you are seeing the neutrionist, psych, support groups, and you are on a constant diet the entire time. Oh I forgot, sleep studies, even if you already have sleep apnea. Then there is x-rays, ct scans, lab work, as they don't want any surprises. There's the GI for upper and lower scopes, a neurologist to check for nerve damage and head. Then the heart dr. work up, the lung dr. work up. After about 6 months or more, all this goes to the Endo Dr. again. Your team of Dr.'s will then get together and decide if you are a good canidate, and if you are, then they start on the surgical part of getting you prepared for that time. Then the insurance is taken care of, but you have to also see their financial person. If they can't get an approval up front like (medicare) you pay then file for reembursment. So basically I would have to move up there for their program. I think I will reserve them for last. Just listening to the woman, made my head spin and a headache came on real fast. Plus phone numbers for me to call, everything that has been done over the last few months, will be totally done over, all with dr.'s you've never met, and are supposed to trust. Sure!!!!! So if you find that the Cleveland Clinic is your last option, be prepared. I know we all have had to go thru a lot of this, but you will just about have to live there. Every month, you have to attend their aftercare program. Too cold and too much snow for me to want to move up there. Love Kathy