Question:
Doesn't Matter
I posted a question a few days ago about my primary saying no to the surgery and i appreciate everyones responses but i have, again, hit a road block (i knew things were going too well) i called dr. pearlstein to ask him about any options with the issue with my primary and the nurse informed me that they no longer do bariatrics!!! i went to the orientation may 30 and if i hadnt called i wouldnt have known!! i gave them 2 numbers when i signd up and they said they tried to call me, although i have no missed calls or mesages on either phone... either way, im at a loss. if anyone has any advice about this, it would be appreciated! (like i said in my previous post, i came home for the summer to do this and i have done almost all my preop work) thanks! — emilena (posted on June 23, 2006)
June 23, 2006
Try calling the hospital to find a surgeon that does bariatric surgery.
— KathyE
June 23, 2006
All I can say right now is, DO NOT GIVE UP! I finally decided to have GBS
Jan. 18, 2005 and was established somewhat with a surgeon about four hours
away from me. He had me do all the preop testing before I came for the
consult. I arrived for the consult and was informed that oops, sorry, he
was leaving the hospital and he couldn't do my surgery and there was no
replacement. I finally found out the hospital didn't plan to replace him.
So, I struggled to know what to do and ended up finding a fantastic surgeon
team who I adore and they are only two hours away from me.
Anyways, all was going along with the surgery plans (this is about
mid-summer last summer at this point) and I was excited, scared, etc. Then,
we found out that my company was being bought out and not only were they
drastically changing how we do our time off (I had been saving my time off
to have the surgery), but their insurance didn't cover the surgery! I of
course panicked and it was a race against the clock. I had to figure out
what to do and ended up doing the COBRA thing with my former insurance. The
day of my surgery, they found that my thyroid was still very screwed up (We
knew this but the surgeon didn't realize it was that screwed up, LONG
story). SO, my surgery was canceled. I was again in a panic but determined
to get this surgery. My surgeon worked with me on my thyroid and the
insurance issue and I had my GBS Sept. 28, 2005. I've lost about 110 pounds
or so. Email me privately if you need to talk more!
— newslady72712
June 23, 2006
Emily, Don't give up. I have spent 15 months trying to get my surgery and
finally will be having it on Aug. 11th. IF you have other doctors for
different problems other than your primary; have them help convince your
primary. She ethically can not say NO if your qualify and would be in
better shape for having it done. Also look into doctors others have had
good luck with as primary physicians and if you have to change dr. You
have to do what is right for you and what will benefit you through and
through. Check your insurance also for who they might recommend to do the
surgery. Sometimes they surprise you and help you out. Check hospitals in
the area and see where support groups still meet and find a new physician
to do the surgery and also Check Medicare's list of Doctors to see who they
have for your area. Keep going. It will all fall in place. I had my
doubts at times but I never stopped. My prayers are with you and May you
find peace and the right physician to help make this dream come true.
— jstplainwyrd1956
June 24, 2006
I used this site to find a surgeon to do my WLS. And yes, that does happen
a lot. In fact, 2 of the surgeons I looked into, stopped doing bariatric
surgery while I was in the process of getting insurance approval! There
are many factors to it, and they really don't have to do with the surgeon's
abilities. The 2 I knew, were excellent surgeons, and had to close up
shop... In fact, my surgeon has almost had to stop his practice.
(malpractice Insurance in Ohio is very expensive) And I know some horrid
surgeons who are still in business! (With their names on billboards and
everything!)
Anyways, what I did on here was start by looking at my state's webpage.
Then, I went to insurers, and looked to see who in Ohio, who had my
insurance, got approved, and who did their WLS and when. I started
narrowing it down, looked up the surgeon's names and numbers, called them
and made orientation appointments. I also called my insurance and got
started on their requirments. (5 year weight and diet history), psych
eval, letter from PCP, medical neccassity blah, blah, etc.) All in all,
this took me 2 years. But I had several roadblocks: the insurance company
lost my info several times, a few of the pre-op tests I had expired (while
I was waiting on insurance approval) so I had to go back and get those
re-done and re apply... And then, my surgeon had an over 3 month waiting
list after my date of approval!!! =(
I started my WLS journey in December of 2003. I was finally under the
knife in September of 2005. I am now 9 months post-op, and even though I
do sometimes think about all the time wasted, and how things could have
been further along, sooner... I really think God had it perfectly set up
for me. Maybe someday I'll know the 'why'.
If you are to get WLS, you will get it. There is no doubt about that.
It's the 'when' and 'how' that's still in question. I know that doesn't
make it any easier. TRUST ME, I know.
Again, hope it works out for you, Emily.
— AmandaLeigh =)
June 24, 2006
Emily,
I am in Central New York, and am about ten weeks post-op for laprny. I had
CIGNA insurance and it took me a year and a half to get to where I finally
had my surgery. I went to the Bariatric Center in Syracuse, had Dr Taewon
Kim as a surgeon, and did very well. I did not have my PCP as my referring
doc, it was my diabetes and thyroid specialist, my endocrinologist, who
referred me for the surgery. I did have to go and do a doc monitored
weight loss diet through my PCP, but she did not have to refer me.
You are very young, but if you feel that this is the only way for you to be
healthy, pursue the surgery! I wish I had done it ten years ago! I am
down 53 pounds in ten weeks, and feeling great! It may take you time to
get the process rolling again, but we do what we have to do to succeed!
Good luck!
Karen
— earthangel
June 24, 2006
Emily, look on here (ObesityHelp) under Surgeon's for another surgeon close
to you and then as far away as you'll travel. Also look at the pateint
reviews of these surgeon's to help you decide. Good Luck.
— Michael Eak
June 24, 2006
Dear Emily;
Don't give up! Everything that happens is for a reason. If they don't do
bariatrics anymore, then seek a more reliable source, and Thank God that
they decided before you had surgery! Check out some more reliable surgeons
in this area do a little research, make sure you are getting the best
possible advice and take your test results or have them sent to the surgeon
of your choice. Don't get up and don't be discourgaged because God did'nt
want that surgeon for you!!! Find a better one!! Mistymiss
— misty54
June 25, 2006
Something similar to this happened to me. First my PCP refused to write a
letter...so I switched PCPs. Then after I had done all of my pre-op tests
I called to find out when my surgeon was going to file with
insurance...only to find out that effective immediately they were no longer
doing the surgery and the doctor was cutting all ties with the hospital.
It turned out to be a good thing. I still don't know why the doctor
stopped doing the surgery....but several people have said that often times
it is due to legal matters. I searched on-line and found another surgeo in
my area. I found a wonderful doctor...and attended the orientation. The
provided copies of all my tests to the new surgeon and they filed with my
insurance....before I knew it I was approved. My new surgeon had performed
the surgery many more times than my original doctor...and had a great
success rate. The switch was probably the best thing that happened.
— mmcphee1
June 25, 2006
That is terrible, but now you have to dig in and find another surgeon.
— Novashannon
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