Question:
I live in virginia and am on a wait list to see a surgeon.

I am on a wait list to see a surgeon and have been told it is a wait of at least 8 to 10 months. Is this a long time or is it the usual because of the people waiting for this surgery just like me? I am scared of this long of a wait. With my health problems and being this much overweight, suppose I wait all this time and then have problems with being approved with my insurance? thank you for any help you can give me    — taterbug898 (posted on March 18, 2004)

March 18, 2004
have you tried dr. annez or dr. halmi they saw pretty quickly they work out of fair oaks hosp.
   — carola H.

March 18, 2004
If your insurance will allow it, call around to other doctors. I live in Danville. I called UVA (closer to me) and was told the same thing. I called MCV and got an apt for a couple of months later. I think there are several docs in Roanoke who also do the surgery. Good luck!
   — Linda S.

March 18, 2004
If you are willing to travel to the DC area, there is a remarkable surgeon in Arlington, VA. Dr Elariny is the best in my opinion (of course I am biased). Office number is 703-465-5060. Good luck to you!!!
   — tamster513

March 19, 2004
Melinda, try Dr. Halmi in woodbridge VA. He is fabulous. I am 9 weeks out down 38 lbs and have a tiny 3 inch scar. They have a web page you can visit at www.obesitysurgerycenter.net It can tell you about everyone. The staff is great, the hospitals 2 of them are great. He is a wonderful and caring man. Good Luck and keep us posted. Ann R. Stafford VA
   — Ann M.

March 19, 2004
Melinda, I know the wait is agonizing. I waited about a year and a half myself, but that was because the first doctor whose wait list I was on quit doing it right when my number came up! I too suffered from several comorbidities and had the same concern you did. The fact is, that you just have to take care of yourself the best you can while waiting. If any other problems do pop up, chances are, they'll be in your favor for insurance approval. But the psychological part of waiting was the worst for me.I wanted to just get over the hump and get on with my life, which at the time was pretty hopeless. I was hanging all my hopes on getting that call for a surgery date. Every single day. Your time will come, and while I really think the other posters on this subject are right and very kind to recommend other good doctors who might be able to get you in sooner (and I can too-Dr. Clark in Newport News) please try to keep in mind that the waiting time is not necessarily the most important thing. Your time WILL come, and when it does, within a few months, you might, like me, even have trouble remembering all the agony of that wait (and weight!) But for now, the most important thing is to put yourself in the best hands you can get for the job, and whoever makes you most comfortable with this big undertaking. I certainly would check out other doctors, but remember that a few more months wait might be worth it!
   — christied

March 19, 2004
You could make the trip to Richmond I had my surgery at St. Mary's with Dr. Martin from Commonwealth Surgeons http://www.commonwealthsurgeons.com/ , MCV also does WLS. The whole process takes about 3 months for Commonwealth Surgeons.
   — Patricia T.

March 21, 2004
Dr. Hutcher with Commonwealth surgeons in Richmond is excellent. He's been doing this for over 20 years and while he only does open, he will remove your gallbladder and only leaves about a three inch incision. He also performs an extra technique to help prevent the stoma from restretching as he has been doing this for so long that he's been able to almost "perfect" the technique. Well, the best that he can...anyway...I'm a little biased too as you can tell but the whole process only took me about three months as well. Best of luck to you. Their phone number is 804-285-3225 Denise 280/150/143 and counting
   — denisel