Backstory - going to Las Vegas from the northwest for surgery due to self-pay.

I was feeling increasingly uneasy about the local team (doctor, nutritionist, & social worker) that I was working with for the past few weeks. Last week, I felt like the doctor was "mad" at me for choosing Dr. Umbach down in Las Vegas as opposed to going thru the insurance appeals process which is what he wanted me to do. I was very upfront with this team by telling them I was considering going to Dr. Umbach from the beginning. Quite frankly, I wasn't prepared for the roller coaster of appeals, rejections, appeals, rejection. I felt like I was ready to move on with surgery prep and my efforts we better spent doing that then spinning my wheels with insurance. I also have a very specific exclusion in my policy - basically anything weight related is not covered (behavior modification, pills, etc. - it's not covered). I felt really comfortable with my decision on going to Dr. Umbach. So, I told them last week that I was going with another doctor and since then, he has been really difficult. In retrospect, I think he was trying to make it hard on me to go elsewhere for the surgery - things like requiring Dr. Umbach to do the 2 week and 1 month post op visit, requiring me to make two trips back down to Las Vegas for follow ups.

So, I contacted the other local hospital here which has a Weight Management department and was contacted immediately by their patient coordinator. She was friendly, upbeat and sounded more than willing to help me. I told her my dilemma and said the local after care is my biggest concern. I need a good group of people here locally to help ensure my success. She said she would talk to the doctor and would call me back. I was like, "yeah, she'll call me back at the end of the week" About 20 minutes later she called back and said, "The doctor would love to work with you. Can you come in this afternoon to meet her?" I arrived at their office and was welcomed - literally welcomed with open arms. I met with the doctor for about 30 minutes - she's very nice, asked me a lot of questions, explained the surgery and said she would do the 2 week and 30 day follow up as long as I don't have a drain. Then I met with the patient coordinator and she was equally as fantastic.

I am so relieved. My husband saw a difference in me when I got home - he said, "You feel really good about them don't you?" It was really like a weight was lifted. It's one less thing I have to worry about.

That is fantastic! Really sounds like the first Dr. was trying to bully you into having surgery with him if any way possible. He surly does not have your best interests in mind.

It's very important to feel comfortable with your providers.

Best of luck to you! You will love your sleeve!

Good for you. My Doctor was mad that I made the decision without him but still helped me with everything I needed to get done pre-op. I am being sleeved by Dr. Umbach next Thursday (the 10th)!