Question:
Has anyone switched Surgeons because of their Surgeons hectic schedule?

The Surgeon I originally chose is so backed up till it's pathetic. I had my initial consult early November of 2001 and called to find out where things stood. I found out he was backed up till June with surgeries. This did not sit well. The person handling the insurance part was gone and I cannot contact them till the end of next week to even see if they sent it in. I know I will be approved, but wondered if anyone had been approved by one Surgeon and then switched. If so...do you have to go thru approval all over again with the "new" one, or will the approval still hold without going thru all the paperwork again?    — [Anonymous] (posted on January 4, 2002)

January 4, 2002
I was approved by one surgen and then switched Drs do to there schedule being so backed up and the office delaying things even more. When I went to the new Dr. all they had to do was resubmit a request from the new Dr. and they faxed the approval the same day and I had surgery the next week. I would still be waitng if I stayed with the other Dr. because my surgery was not till March 22nd and I had surgery Dec. 12th. So good luck.
   — JOYCE C.

January 4, 2002
I originally planned on going through Alvarado in San Diego but they have long waiting lists and don't contract with any insurance groups. I also looked into two other places (Pacific Bariatric and Valley Surgical Specialist) but found Dr. Nazarian to be the best (and speediest!). He is in Beverly Hills if you want to check him out. I don't know where you are located. I should be having surgery in a month or so. The staff there is very caring also!
   — M. S.

January 4, 2002
Hello, I changed surgeons after finding out that I would wait almost 12 to 18 weeks for just the inital consult, and then another 3 to 4 months after for the surgery. I had went to my PCP and got the referal for him, and when I called afterwards to make my appointment that's when they told me all this. I was like NO WAY, am I waiting that long. So I just called my PCP and asked them to have my ins company switch the the surgeon on the referal, it was done in thirty minutes.
   — Carey N.

January 4, 2002
My Primary Care Physician referred me in February of 2001, my FIRST appointment with the surgeon was October 2001!!! There is currently only one surgeon performing this surgery in Vermont! I had my second consult in December and was told then my surgery was scheduled for August 7, 2002!!! I was completely frustrated with the wait from February to October. But once I met the surgeon and her ''team'' I knew it was worth the wait. I would NOT change my surgeon now to have the surgery earlier. I guess I feel you shouldn't just ''pick'' a surgeon. You need to ''feel'' some kind of connection there before you let someone perform such a major operation. I have had plenty of time to research the pros and cons of surgery, talk to people who have had surgery and loads of time to think about my real reasons for wanting this surgery. I feel all the waiting has/will give me the chance to get a true grasp of what this surgery can do for me, how it will forever change my life, in many ways, and I am truly confident I am making the right decision. Would I like it to happen yesterday, YES, but come August 7th I will be completely prepared at work, home and in my head!
   — Sue N.

January 4, 2002
I have United Health Care PPO. The first surgeon I chose had himself confused with God, so I refused to let him touch me. My insurance company just took any info he had gathered and transferred it to my new (and wonderful) surgeon. I had approval in less than two weeks. Good luck!
   — Lisa U.

January 6, 2002
There are SO many wonderful surgeons out there. The surgeon I originally contacted had a 3 month wait for the consult so I did some more research and found MY surgeon and got an appointment in 2 weeks! There is no reason to have to wait months and months. Most of us are in limbo all that time and it can really take its tole on our lives. You have to make your own choice but just remember there are many wonderful doctors out there. I put WLS surgeons in the same catagory as OB/GYNs. Those docs take care of us and deliver our newborns and WLS docs take care of us and deliver our new lives! Most are wonderful and compasionate people. I wish you the best of luck!
   — crishsapig