Question:
Has anyone gone to one surgeon for WLS, then changed surgeons?

Has anyone gone to one WLS surgeon been acepted by the surgeon and your insurance then decided to change to a different surgeon? Did you have to start over with all the testing again, etc? And how long was the wait for the surgery?    — Kathy L. (posted on December 5, 2001)

December 5, 2001
Kathy, I just did that very thing. The only thing I had to repeat was to see their nutri. everything else was fine, test and all and now I have a surgery date and ready to roll, e-mail me if you like.
   — Rho

December 5, 2001
I started out with a surgeon in jan 2001, finally got my date scheduled for 12/10/01, was notified 1 week before surgery that my surgeon had an operation and could not perform the rny as scheduled. they did offer me the other surgeon that performs the same surgery ( in the same practice), or i could reschedule for next year. I met this surgeon yesterday. I am definitly going with the new surgeon he was very nice and has excellent credentials, I have also talked to other people in my support group, that have used him. I know i could not stand to reschedule. I did not need any other tests done, it could be because they are in the same office.
   — mc H.

December 5, 2001
With my insurer (Blue Cross, Blue Shield, standard option, Federal Employees' Program), I had no problem with switching surgeons. It was necessary for me to do so after the original one, Hazem Elariny of Alexandria, Va., refused to do my surgery in a fit of pique after he found a post on this website that he deemed uncomplimentary. Because I'd had all my pre-op tests, I was lucky enough to find another surgeon who penciled me in for surgery the same day Elariny left me out in the cold. BCBS approved the switch in surgeons within a day or two. I did have to have more bloodwork and another EKG before the surgery, which took place a month after the original one was canceled. The length of time you'll have to wait will depend on the length of the line at your new surgeon's office, as well as whether he is in-network with your insurer, etc.; after a bad beginning, I was lucky.
   — Kay B.

April 12, 2003
I did after going to my intial consult and finding out the surgeon, Dr.Patterson didn't do DS anymore. My surgery was going to be in March, but with the new referral from my PCP it's now going to be June. Ali
   — ALI143