Hi Everyone,

I'm new and still researching for a doctor who performs the sleeve. I found one and set up a consult, however, the hospital he is affiliated with is not a Bariatric Center of Excellence. How important is this? I need to be educated ion this term. I know a big wig at the hospital and she assures me that the doctor is phenomenal.

Just curious how you guys feel about it....

Thanks!

My insurance defines their own centers of excellence and the bizarre thing is there are different centers of excellence for different insurance plans within my provider (Anthem/Blue Cross). I received conflicting/incorrect information directly from my provider customer service about which places were centers of excellence for me too. I finally had someone e-mail me confirmation of the places I was allowed to go in my area. The surgeon's group can also run your insurance to see if you're covered to see them.

Good luck!!

Here is a pretty good article on what the Bariatric Center of Excellence means ...

http://www.obesityaction.org/magazine/oacnews17/bscoe.php

Thanks for the responses. Still don't know why when I asked the intake person if the hospital was a Bariatric Center of Excellence, she immediately asked me the name of my insurance company. When I told her, her response was "Oh, you're fine, they'll approve you". ???

I have GHI/Emblem Health in NY and they will only approve the procedure if it is done in a Bariatric Center of Excellence. Luckily there are plenty of them in NY so I had no problem finding a doctor who does his surgeries in one.

Hi Fusilli66,

I'm in NY too, looking for a surgeon! Tell me about your surgeon - Syosset. I'm on the east end of L.I. Not crazy about using Southampton Hospital.

Thanks!

Thanks for the responses. Still don't know why when I asked the intake person if the hospital was a Bariatric Center of Excellence, she immediately asked me the name of my insurance company. When I told her, her response was "Oh, you're fine, they'll approve you". ???

They are probably NOT a Bariatric Center of Excellence and she knows your insurance probably won't mind. She answered your question with another question, so she wouldn't have to admit the truth. Centers & Surgeons of Excellence promote that left and right. They are proud to have that distinction.

I will admit I am picky and I am lucky to have a good insurance. Not everyone is the same and I understand. For ME a Surgeon of Excellence in a Hospital of Excellence is a must.

My primary doctor, whom I respect, also recommended someone, but he is not a Surgeon of Excellence, so I didn't even call him. The pulmonary doctor that assisted me with the sleep study recommended a hospital that is "close" to being a Hospital of Excellence. No thanks.

Below is the website where you can search for a surgeon in your area. if you wish. Best of luck in whatever you decide.

http://www.surgicalreview.org/locate/

I had my surgery at a Bariatric Center of Excellence, that is one of the reasons I chose them

I, frankly would not have considered any program without that designation, and here's why. I am a nurse, and I have worked through the center of excellence process from a professional standpoint. They are tough, and very thorough. If there is incomplete/ poor record keeping, or high % of poor outcomes, or the program tries to cut corners, they note it and move on. There's alot of money available to highly competitive hospitals to have a bariatric program, and many would like to say they do, but there are only a few I would trust with my body, my future with this major surgery.

You are worth it.