Question:
Has anyone gone through Pacific Care HMO in the Central valley area of California?

I am researching my surgery options and would like to know of any Dr.s in the Fresno area that use Pacific Care and if it was hard to get approved through them. My PCP just tells me to eat less carbs!!! I have HBP, sleep apnea, Graves disease (low thyroid) GERD and have not been successful on any diet.    — tjmgray (posted on December 30, 2005)

December 30, 2005
One of my Pcps is anti wls, I have diabetes II, so he is anti carbs big time too, so part of his approach is acabose, 100mg each meal, it helps,(same as xenical for carbs,blocks em b4 they get absorbed,) generics are cheap covered by insurance. let him rx em,If you need to go self pay, come to the ds board, many of us ds'sr do go self pay, we have some answer on the forum there,it is the most exclude type of wls.
   — walter A.

December 31, 2005
Hi, to answer your question, at least in part, I had Pacific Care HMO when I had my surgery almost 3 years ago. I used Dr. Waldrep in Roseville. I did research several Dr's in the Fresno area but my IPA (Gould) would only allow Dr. Waldrep because he was affiliated with them. I had a problem with my PCP as well and ended up switching to another one that was a little more knowledgeable in this area. I weighed in at 340 and did not have any comorbs, but a huge family history of them. The odds were against me and so the PCP agreed and I started the whole roller coaster of testing. I know there are Dr's in your area that do this surgery, I just need to do a little research. Feel free to e-mail me personally (at [email protected]) and I'll compile that list for you. I think Dr. Higa is one, if I remember correctly. He is supposedly a very good surgeon. He was the one that I wanted, but oh well. Anyway, I will compile the list and if you want it just e-mail me. God Bless! Terri Crabtree
   — brdofchrst

January 1, 2006
I have Pacific Care, Bay Area and will be having my surgery in Oakland, Dr. Kazantsev. I am thrilled with Pacific care, they approved my surgery within 8 hours! I recommend finding a PCP that is supportive of the surgery 1st! Then request a case manager. I was very lucky. I would make sure that you are comfortable with a surgeon. Good luck and God bless your journey.
   — j_marie