Question:
Looking thru the surgeons list for a new wls surgeon .......
I have a six month wait to see the surgeon , do you think I will find other wls surgeons by calling the doctors on the list for surgeons that my ins. covers and asking if they do this surgery ( yrs., how many , etc.) — patti G. (posted on December 22, 2002)
December 22, 2002
Patti...the first surgeon I called couldn't see me for a consult until
January 2003. This was in August of 2002. I kept the appt. but went
looking for another surgeon. I found one and had a consult on 9/11/02. and
surgery by 10/22/02. Good luck.
— J. W.
December 22, 2002
hi there, good luck to you! :) i had hmo so i had to go with which ever
surgeon my insurance covered. thank goodness it went very fast. my primary
care physician was the one that found him for me, perhaps one would be
willing to help you find another. :)
— carrie M.
December 22, 2002
Look around for sure, some places run this surgery like its a lunch with
the king, then you will find somewhere else that can get you in in a month
and surgery 3 months later, you will be done with surgery and your papers
will come remindin you of the other surgons seminar.
— ambertomhave
December 22, 2002
Unless it's a case that the surgeon with the long waiting list does a
procedure that the others don't, and that's what you want, I would go
looking. I checked out some others also and found many were 3-6 months to
see the surgeon. Fortunately the one closest to home and with a wonderful
reputation was on a more realistic timeframe, although still not fast
enough for me, LOL, so I had to keep pressure on to keep things moving.
Take the bull by the horns and get everything possible taken care of during
this waiting period. Find out if he/she will require a sleep study and
psych eval, if so get your PCP to start that process. Make arrangements
for copies of notes/letters/labs from specialists you have seen that will
support your case. At least the time won't be wasted. Good Luck!
— zoedogcbr
December 22, 2002
Patti---I'm going through the same thing you are right now. I've contacted
one doctor and it will be like 6-8 wks before I hear back from them to even
see if I'm a candidate or not. I have also found out if he think I am a
candidate it will be another 4 months till I can get in for my initial
consult!!! So--I'm looking into other surgeons hoping to get this going
much sooner!! Good luck to you!!!
— [Deactivated Member]
December 23, 2002
Yes!! keep looking for a surgeon. I sat and called every general surgeon my
insurance company has. Determination pays off . In San Antonio there has to
be a surgeon with a shorted waiting list.
— dkinson
December 24, 2002
I would look for another surgeon, but research to make sure the next one
you chose has good experience and great statistics. If you find one that
looks terrific, don't assume that this surgeon will have a longer wait-- it
just depends I am seeing one of the top surgeons in the Washington DC
metro area, and first saw him 8 days after I called for the appointment.
<br>
If after your research you prefer the first doctor you were planning to
see, call the surgeon's office. Tell them that if they have a cancellation,
you'd like your appointment moved up. Let them know how much notice you
will need. Perhaps that will help. I can tell you that if they aren't
willing to work with you, you don't want to work with that
office.<br>
Good luck, Beth
— Beth S.
December 30, 2002
Patti, I wouldn't automatically jump ship!. The surgeon that I had surgery
with here in Michigan has about a years wait to get in with him, but the
wait is all worth it when you know the surgery and the aftercare program
(very important that a lotoe poeple forget to worry about) is as good as
his is. I waited three years to find him and waiting a little more didn't
deter me. Remember your life is in their hands and you want that person to
be the best, on the table and in your aftercare also!!!! Kelly open RNY
3/1/02 326before/189 so far!!
— Kelly L.
December 31, 2002
I agree with Kelly on this. Sometimes,a person has to wait to get in to see
a good surgeon. I know for a fact that the surgeon I have been waiting 8+
months to see is the best in this area. He has done over 500 surgeries with
no fatalities and only 3 leaks. That is some pretty good stats,if you ask
me.I know,it is tempting to go and look for another surgeon,but ask
yourself this question. If the person has such a short line of wait,what
does that say about them? Maybe they aren't as good a surgeon as the person
with a long line. I know,that is a brash assumption,but I,personally,would
go with the person with the best results,which sometimes means a bit of a
wait. Just hang in there,and think of the big picture. Remember...a person
does not gain their weight overnight. Hang in there! You'll make it! :)
— Lisa S.
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