boybanded

I was banded Oct 2009 Had my band removed Feb 22 2013. it slipped and eroded into my stomach. left a big hole. caused a huge infection. Was sick for a long time. Recently sleeved... (may 23 2013) The pounds are coming off now.

Dr. Selim was my lap-band surgeon. Dr. Selim is a great surgeon. Its a shame that you are all judging his ability, on his office staff. His office staff didn't go to medical school. He did. So because his office staff is less than stellar, doesnt mean that the surgeon is as well. He came to KU, he didn't bring staff with him. Those people were in place long before he arrived. Give the guy break. have you sat down and talked to him and asked him questions? do you know how many lapband procedures hes done? have you found out how qualified he is? or did you just encounter his rude office? Now I admit... The lady that answers the phone can come off as being very rude. I know. I have dealt with her on MANY occasions. My first visit was in June... It took them... well... I was going to say until Sept to send my insurance Co the correct information... But when it all boiled down to it. between my insurance company and I and other Dr. we got in the right info they needed just before my 45 day appeal was up. It originally was denied because they (the office staff) didnt send in the right forms so on appeal and after talking to BCBS they confirmed they had my phyc eval, and my nutritional eval. but they didnt have this ONE piece of paper... it was a simple form. asked my basic info then asked the basic questions qualifying me for surgery, (height weight BMI and comorbidities etc) And a Dr signature... here is a little trick i learned from BCBS your surgeon doesnt have to be the one that fills this out and sends it in. you PCP can, if he/she has been treating/seeing you for weight issues and agrees u need this surgery! that is something most any surgeons office wont tell you! But you cant blame Dr Selim. Trust me he's not sitting around all day long sorting thru papers of obese patients trying to get lapband. He does other surgeries, has other appoints, does fills, etc etc. It certainly is not because of HIM specifically that someones paperwork didnt get turned in on time, and that certainly doesnt make him any less capable of performing the surgery. Now as far as LaTasha is concerned. I have had my run ins with her... She can and does come across as very rude over the phone. She is a VERY busy person. she is the ONLY staff doing her job. She answers 100's of calls a day, most people on the other are bitching about insurance and when will they have their surgery. So amongst trying to get my, your, his, her, case taken care of, shes being bitched at in the meantime. I filed a formal complaint against her to her top person, and from that day on shes been extremely nice to me. I heard I was not the only one to make a complaint. She does need a little attitude adjustment for sure. and she doesnt/can't always process things in a timely manner. I had an early appointment one day (11am) and by the time I was ready to leave she already had a stack folder about 15 or so of people that had already been seen that morning. so imagine her case load at the end of the day. YES Shes needs help, YES there needs to be more staff, YES YES YES - No one person can be and should be responsible to do all of what she does daily basis. I also want to make it clear to anyone starting this process no matter what surgeon U see... THE SQUEEKY WHEEL GETS THE GREASE... I waited 6 weeks before i decided to call and check on the status of my insurance/approval... from that point on, I was on it like white on rice. and finally got approved on sept 22 and was banded Oct 9th Dr. Selim is well qualified. I have had NO - NONE- ZERO- ZILCH complications and am down 60 pounds since then. I would recommend him time and time again. The office staff... Needs work. But stay on her. and stay on your insurance company. you have to! Insurance companies will drag their feet... demand copies of your phyc and nut. evals, and such (they are your records u are welcome to them anytime) and whenever possible make copies and send them in yourself to your insurance, should u have to? NO! but u know the saying. if u want something done right do it yourself! ask your insurance co what the exact form for approval is, and if your surgeon has to be the one that fills it out... keep up on it. don't just assume everything will taken care of by anyone, or any office, or any insurance company. If you don't follow thru, you have no one to blame but yourself!