Question:
Pittsburgh surgeons wait time for 1st appointment is 9 months

I am so frustrated and scared. My wife Jen is in the hospital with breathing problems related to her weight. She turned in her application for surgery in May but has not yet had her first appointment. I talked to the surgeons office today, it will be next year before she can even get her first appointment..... 9 months of waiting for the first appointment. If she doesnt die before then she will have certinally lost her job, and our insurance. ANY advice would be greatly appreciated. Other bariatric surgeons locally appear equally as busy, and we have to use UPMC because of insurance.    — bob-haller (posted on August 17, 2001)

August 17, 2001
My greatest suggestion would be to look at another facility. I saw that there were several surgeons in pittsburgh. I don't know if they are all in the same facility or not. I know you said you have to go to that that facility because of insurance. If your surgeon can't push up the consultation I would try else where. What can it hurt. You may be surprised. Especially if your wife is in dire need of the surgery. You may have to travel a bit, but if it saves her life it would be worth it. Good luck.
   — Carla C.

August 17, 2001
Bob, it sounds like you have no choices. What are your options for going to another surgeon and doing a self-pay? Does UPMC have a reciprocal agreement with another hospital? Get a list of surgeons that do the surgery then call your insurance company and go down the list to see who is covered. Dr. Brody at Cleveland Clinic has a short wait. My first appt with him was May 7th and my surgery was June 26th.
   — Kimberly L.

August 17, 2001
Unfortunately this problem is a regional one. All the doctors are backed up, and I have only found one new doctor ho isnt. We want someone with experience too. Since my wife works at UPMC it HAS to be a upmc hospital and doctor which limits our choices. Although from the calls I have made other docs are swamped too. I am going to keep working on it, and am awaiting some return phone calls. This is just the beginning of a boom for this surgery.
   — bob-haller

August 19, 2001
Hi Bob, If you don't mind going a little further, my surgeon was Dr. Jack Bergstein, West Virginia University Hospital, Ruby Memorial, Morgantown, WV. I got excellent care and he is has had excellent success in his practice. He has aftercare and I highly recommend him. I think he is now scheduling surgeries for October. He does open rny only. In my opinion and many others, he is the best surgeon around this area!
   — Marilyn C.