Well my date of Mar 21st ...

Well my date of Mar 21st has now been cancelled. This comes even with my Surgeon being on the ASBS Center of Excellance list. Talk about really being discouraged!!! I have all my preliminary work done, just waiting on surgery and BAM!!! My surgeons office called today. The office nurse said that they understood that they were waiting on the Surgical Review Association to do a walk through of the office before final approval. After that they could reset my surgery. This could be a few days to a few months. Makes me wonder why they are on the list of Centers of Excellance already, if they aren't yet actually approved. This reminds me of Uncle Sam's Army "hurry up and wait". Good thing I don't drink!!! Ron

Sorry, for your frustration. But things will work out. Its just hard being patient. (GET IT!) Sorry. Is this because your covered under medicare or just a new thing for all gastric bypass surgeon's? Tell all! I'm confused. Beth B. in Chattanooga

Thanks Beth for your encouragment. This is a new thing with Medicare. It seems that they will only approve WLS if you are going to a surgeon listed on the ASBS as a Center of Excellance. My Surgeon is listed as a Center of Excellance on the ASBS list, but apparently not all the necessary steps have been taken so Medicare now with draws my approval in mid-stream. I can't believe that Medicare would place the patients lives on an emotional "Rolley Coaster Ride" this way!! Looks to me like, if they have approved you they would have to honor those, that they have already been approved. Ron

Hey Ron, I just wanted to say sorry about the dilemma and furthur waiting. I know waiting can be a pain in the butt. Your time will eventually come. They say patience is a virtue! April

Thanks April; My patience is short and I'm definately not virtuious. I truly believe it will happen, but I have been just so up, since my date was set, and now soooo down. Oh well, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it!! Ron

HI Ron, I am a medicare/medicade patient of Dr. Colquitt's. This must be something new as I didn't have to go thru all this, and at the the Medicare didn't give prior approval. I will keep you in my prayer list that this gets resolved soon. Please don't give up, your time will come when God wants it to happen and not any sooner. I know it's hard, and I've been thru almost 3 years of trying, only to approved after getting Leukemia. Dr. Colquitt/Dr. Ray are great Dr.'s, and have never lost a patient. Just wait for what ever Medicare has to do, but I would be calling the Dr.'s office at least 2-3 times a week to see where you stand. May God travel with you on this new journey. Love, Kathy

Ron I am so sorry this has come up and stalled your surgery . I will be praying that your Dr will get his approval quickly and things can get rechedualed quickly. Laura

how dang discouraging.I would be utterly UPSET!! Well..............hang out here............our at my forums.. http://s3.invisionfree.com/Mi_Casa_es_Su_Casa/index.php?act=idx it's just a FUN friendly messgae board................NO all about WLS...etc. Hurry up and wait SUX doesnt it!?!! MARIA