Ok heres the deal... Medicare info

I called my insurance company to find out EXACTLY what I need pre op to be approved, if they cover the procedures, and if I could change doctors. The lady from medicare was wonderful. Very friendly Very compassionate. First off the ONLY requirements that Medicare requires is that you have a BMI of 35 or greater with at least ONE comorbity. Ok... check. I told her what was going on and how my present surgeon wanted me to loose weight after I have been doing dietician supervised diet for almost a year. How I gained weight after quiting smoking and how he wants me to loose that weight and then some before he will perform the surgery. She said that I am NOT required to loose weight, That even with the weight gain I AM covered for the surgery, and that I am allowed and even encouraged to seek a second opinion if I am not happy with my surgeon!!!! YAY!!!!!!! she was SOoooo sweet. So I called my present surgeons office, I am going in on the 1st to sign a release so they can send my info to the new surgeon and I'm waiting for the new surgeons office to call me to tell me if their office has any additional requirements other than the insurance requirements. I feel SOooooo much better. I can't wait till the ninth to meet the new surgeon. Wish me luck guys and thanks for all of the support.

Awesome news!  Congrats on moving forward and getting your information upfront.

Honestly, when I sign the release, I'd want to take the records with me - personally.  I think they can even have it all copied for you before you get there.  I wouldn't trust, with the BS you've encountered there, that they'd actually send the files timely. 

 

Im not going to be going to the old surgeons before my new surgeons appointment. I had them double up on the phone line so I could have them send my medical records to another surgeon. Man I hope the new surgeon doesn't require anything additional. I am so tired of waiting and desperately want to meet my new tummy LOL.

Awesome! way to stand up for yourself and advocate for yourself.  you should go on the current surgeons OH page here and make others who might be thinking of using him aware of  what he has put you through.

 

Good for you.  now to move forward. 

I'm so glad to hear this.  Don't give up.  If you don't like this surgeon keep looking until you find one you are comfortable with.  They are out there.  Wishing you all the luck.

yay!!! the new surgeon is letting me come in a week early so the second I get to see him :D

I added my new surgeon to my settings... no matter what the requirements of new surgeon I've decided he's the one. I'm done playing around with the first surgeon. Also I tried writing a review on first surgeon and it wouldn't let me... I'm not sure why but I guess it wasn't meant to be.. I will keep trying but maybe I am in too negative a frame of mind. Ok folks April 2nd is the new tentative date to meet my surgeon and have my first appointment as well as my before pics and weight. I'm not thrilled about the weight or the before pics but I will suck it up and deal with it. Also, I told the lady at the office that I am worried about my testing being out of date soon so she said to make sure I tell the doctor my concerns. She was not sure how soon I could have my surgery but it seems that they are going to work hard to get it in asap. That would be excellent. To be an april or may surgery would be awsome!!! I am trying not to get my hopes up but after the year I have had how can I not. LOL thanks everyone for listening and being so supportive with all the crap my ex doctor put me through. I couldn't have survived without your help :D

I am so glad that you stood up for yourself and glad to hear that they are rushing to get your surgery date. Best wishes