Question:
Am I the only one who has heard of this before?
I called my surgeons office, to see if they've filed for approval yet. First let me start by saying it took me two days to finally get through. I called and asked if they filed. I was put on hold. Then the woman (Olga) told me they weren't going to submit my paperwork until I lose at least 30-40 lbs. Now am I the only one who hasn't heard or this? She told me that my insurance wants it that way. I thought it sounded made up, so I called my insurance. They said they've never heard of such a thing, and that there is nothing to state that she cannot file the papers. Soo.. I call my doctors office. They told me in all the 11 years that they have been filing for approval for their patients, that they have never heard of such a thing. Needless to say I called her back, and told her off, and asked for it in writing. She told me it's just "customary" to lose weight before they file. I think it's a buncha bull@#!%. When I had my consultation with my doctor, he never told me that. He said that they would be filing in 1 to 3 weeks, and try to lose weight BEFORE SURGERY, not before Authorization. Am I the only one who has heard of this crap? Is there someone else out there that they've pulled this mess on? I'm seriously pissed. I need to know. Any help is appreciated. — Laydie K. (posted on September 5, 2002)
September 4, 2002
I have heard of alot of doctors that make you lose weight before the
surgery date is scheduled. Never before they file for the approval. You
may want to call the Doctor's office back and ask for the office manager.
— Sharon H.
September 4, 2002
If this surgeon has a support group, as he SHOULD! I would go to a meeting
and talk about it. Myself I wouldnt use a surgeon that doesnt have a
support group and would look for one who doesnt require weight loss before
surgery. This hurdle does make things a bit eaier, espically fr the
surgeon, but I dont agree with it being a requirement....
— bob-haller
September 4, 2002
My doctor had me on a meat and veggie diet before surgery. The pre op diet
helped me even before I went under the knife. I also have a support group
I can go to. It helps alot, believe me. Good luck.
— Lawrence R.
September 4, 2002
A lot of doctors require this, but as my doctor said, "if you could
lose weight at whim, you wouldn't need the da*n surgery." Get
yourself another doctor, honey. My surgeon also said "for a good
surgeon, whether you're 100 pounds or 110 pounds overweight isn't going to
make a difference."
— Tamara K.
September 4, 2002
It would be best to loose weight before surgery. It would also be best to
never have gained the weight and for that matter world peace would be good
too!! ;-} My Dr wanted me to loose weight before surgery so that my liver
would not be enlarged and the lap surgery would be eaiser, but I gained
about 30 lbs. I still had Lap RNY but I was close to haveing open. Talk to
the surgeon. Drs sometimes don't know thier office mgrs are on a power
trip. Good Lux
— Robert L.
September 4, 2002
Sounds to me like someone *cough* office manager, is a bit overwhelmed by
the patient load. And is using that as a way to delay her job. By asking
you to lose weight before she will do anything to help you, not only will
make the practice lose patients, it will give the surgeon a bad rep. Some
do want you to lose weight before surgery, but before they will do any
paperwork is stupid and just a way to bill for a pointless office visit in
my eyes. I would let the surgeon know, he is probably unaware. Wait a
week and call the office manager back and tell her you lost the weight.
She wont remember if it had been a week or a year since you had been there.
Sorry for my rant, but I am still so naive to think that the medical
community should be here for our health and not our money.
— RebeccaP
September 4, 2002
Laydie, I would find myself a new Dr. It sounds like Olga is being less
than honest with you, and whatever the reason, I wouldn't want to be
involved with a Dr. and staff that are not honest. Best of luck and God
bless.
— Lezli M.
September 5, 2002
I have heard of losing ten, fifteen, maybe even 20 lbs before SURGERY to
lessen a fatty liver or just as a measure of motivation. I thought it was
ridiculous at first, but if anyone takes the time to explain you find out
that it is because the doc wants to see if you can comply with a short term
goal and if surgery isnt a motivator, I dont know what is. Besides, most of
us can lose weight , it's in the keeping it off or losing a great deal that
we have problems with. But to say 30-40 lbs? Please- I got some ocean front
property here in Arizona for sale real cheap! I agree with the previous
poster: sounds like our dear Olga didnt feel like doing her job that day
and was hoping you'd be the type to go away with your tail between your
legs. I wouldnt find a new doc and start the procedure from the very
beginning if you are confident in his/her abilities, but I WOULD contact
the surgeon yourself whether by phone, email, or letter and let him know
that you did your homework and it sounds like the dog must've eaten Olga's.
This isnt the time to be Miss Nice n Sweet. Good luck.
— nicole P.
September 5, 2002
IMHO, if you feel like you are getting the run-a-round from the staff, if
you dont feel 100% comfortable w/ the situation, find another surgeon.
That's what I did and it was the best move I ever made. It really makes a
difference when you feel like the staff AND the surgeon care about you and
treat you with the respect you deserve. Good luck!
— Siddy I.
September 5, 2002
wow I THINK YOU NEED TO FIND ANOTHER OUTFIT TO DO YOUR WLS. I DON'T THINK
ANYONE NEEDS TO LOSE WT. BEFORE THE SURGERY THAT IS THE REASON YOU ARE
HAVING SURGERY BECAUSE WE CAN'T LOSE WEIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!DUH....... I THINK
IF YOU LOSE SOME WEIGHT PRIOR TO SURGERY THAT IS SUPER BUT NO SURGEON NEEDS
TO REQUIRE A 10%, 20% WT. LOSS BEFORE HE/SHE WILL DO WLS...............my
OPINION NOT THE OPINION OF THIS BOARDDDDDDD.........................dIANE
— diane H.
September 5, 2002
I would like to thank all of the posters for posting your comments. It made
me feel so much better, you wouldn't believe. Last night I decided to leave
this weight loss surgery behind me, and just continue to live as an obese
person..... BUT this morning I had a change of heart. I called the Office
Manager like someone told me to do, and it turns out that "Olga"
didn't expain everything to me. The O.M. told me they don't file for
approval until you've lost the weight, because the majority of patients are
scheduled within 30 days after Authorization. Which means some people can't
lose 30 lbs. in 30 days. She also said with my insurance, i'm guaranteed
approval within a week. So that's why they ask to lose weight first. For my
benefit.
She did however say that Olga was wrong in telling me that If I didn't lose
the weight, they could never file. She thought I was lying when I told her
what Olga told me..lol. It obviosuly sounded absurd, but everything worked
out for the best. Thanks for all of your support. I really appreciate it.
— Laydie K.
September 6, 2002
I got really confused on the second stmt that the original poster made.
???? "They don't file for approval until you've lost the weight,
because the majority of patients are scheduled within 30 days after
authorization. Which means some people can't lose 30 lbs in 30 days."
Maybe it's just me....but I don't get it.
I sincerely hope that this does not happen to me...if I got that kind of
run around from a surgeon I would find a new one. The surgeon should be
making sure his staff is explanining things correctly and throughly so
patients understand fully.
Laydie, if you've done your homework about the surgery and are prepared you
should not write off WLS. Your persistence WILL pay off! Good luck!
Brenda
— Brenda L.
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