Question:
Consultation with Surgeon

Hello Everyone: I was just wondering if the normal experience with meeting your surgeon does nothappen until right before surgery? In the office I have been going to, I have met all of the office staff, but your first meeting with the doctor is not until the day he performs an endscopy, and then again a few days before surgery. Is this normal? I just assumed that once insurance approval is given, then you should speak to the doctor before going any further to discuss options. Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks!    — san63 (posted on February 18, 2010)

February 18, 2010
When I scheduled my consultation with my surgeon, he was the first one I met and then saw him a week before surgery. Another physician performed my endoscopy. In my opinion, I wanted to meet my surgeon during a consult and was pleased the way things went. All offices are different. If you are not comfortable with the situation, ask to have an appt. with the surgeon. Good luck!!
   — kirbgo

February 18, 2010
I also met with the surgeon prior to the approval process and we went over any questions I may have and explained the procedure then everything else was scheduled after that. I ended up switching hospitals and after meeting with the nurse and dietician. I then had an appt. with that surgeon prior to a surgery date being set. My surgeon also performed my endoscopy. So I feel I know him pretty well prior to the big surgery.
   — karabwi

February 18, 2010
I would certainly want to see my surgeon ahead of time. You are putting your life in his hands. It is amazing to me how little time we get to meet with our doctors anymore. I guess this is to save money, but I think it's sad. I have not seen my doctor since my surgery. You can't ask them questions or anything. I must say I did meet with my Doc prior to surgery. He was at the seminar I went to, did my encdscope, and finally my surgery. Don't be afraid to ask to meet him earlier than the day before your surgery. Good luck!
   — katiecakes

February 19, 2010
I too met with the surgeon first & met his staff. They explained everything to me, gave their recommendations on which surgery based on my medical history & what needed to be done b/4 they would submit to insurance. They also helped get appts scheduled for me.
   — Cindya19

February 19, 2010
Hey Sandy, you are absolutely right to be concerned with meeting your surgeon prior to surgery. I went through something similar. I arrived at the office and was greeted by the front staff and led to the back to meet with the surgeons nurse and the coordinator and that was fine, when we were finished, I asked when I would be meeting with Dr. Enoch and was told that it would not be until I was approved for surgery. I was really disappointed due to the fact that my first question prior to setting my appointment was "I will be meeting with the surgeon" is this correct? I was told yes at that time. To make a long story short, I paid a $50.00 to enter the office and never saw a "specialist" the doctor, I had to pay $250.00 for my lab work to be scheduled and an additional $50.00 co-pay once I arrived at the hospital and $50.00 to see the pschiatrist. I was seeking to have laparoscopic RNY performed and when I received my LETTER from the Ins. Co, it stated that the "Lap Band" had been denied. Wow, someone really made a boo-boo. I immediately called the coordinator, left numerous messages and to date (4 months later) have never heard from her again - not one individual from the office has had the decency to follow-up with me. UPDATE: I was very persistent and found a competent Dr./Staff and am now scheduled for surgery March 22, 2010. I met with my present doctor on my first visit, explained what happened and he put his staff to work and got me approved. Please go with your gut feeling on this and DEMAND to meet with your doctor before a surgery date is set to be sure you two are on the same page. I personally feel that I was scammed. Good luck and thanks for allowing me to vent.
   — Kareba