Well I was ready to submit for insurance approval next week and get my surgery date scheduled and I just found out today that my surgeon just up and left and went to Russia. I work for the hospital and he was the only bariatric surgeon there, so now I don't have a surgeon to do my surgery. I can't go to another hospital because I can't afford it. I was going to be able to get it done through the hospital I work at for free. I'm heartbroken and it could take months to a year for the hospital to bring in a new surgeon. I feel like all my hopes and dreams just got shattered. I put in all the time and work to meet my pre op requirements.

So there are many hospitals in the nation who self insure. And when they do this their employees are given extremely good rates for seeking all care at that hospital and its employee physicians.

It's really unfortunate that they up and left and have no other options. However the situations sounds really fishy and perhaps you saved yourself a lot of heartache and complications in the long run

IF you want it done pretty soon, I suggest finding out all the hospitals reasonably close to you, finding out which, if any, are Bariatric Centers of Excellence and look up reviews of the bariatric doctors. Find out which are in-network.

All of your medical tests have been sent to insurance. Get copies of the reports and other paperwork that has been done.

IF the finances dictate that it needs to be done at your current hospital, I would call the insurance company and find out, once you finish the pre-op requirements and you are approved, how long is that approval good for? For example, if the approval is OK for 6 months, wait or 3+ months at your current hospital to see if they get another bariatric surgeon. If not, go to the results of the in-network research and bring your paperwork and report results and see what you can work out and how much it will cost.

My hope is that a replacement surgeon will be found or is already in the wings, and your employer will be able to carry on at the point where the former doctor dropped off. The surgery is a life time commitment. If you find you are delayed 6 months, or a year, it is just that much more time to prepare and be mentally at the ready.

Sounds like quite a shake up. I think the future bariatric surgeon will be a better choice. In my community, such surgery is not "big business" but, it is increasing and all three hospitals provide the services. I do not think your hospital will let it lay dormant for long. Sorry for the delay. Stay positive. Stay proactive. Maybe get a support group going of the folks affected, and have nutritionist come speak, former patient speak, exercise therapist speak. Keep us posted.

Im sorry I know you are crushed...it took me 5 years of rejections and options to finally get approved which amazed me because my diabetes was uncontrolled with A1C of 14 %! Literally felt as I was just not gonna wake up one day....prayers for you,stay strong :-)

It surprises me that since the surgeon was so closely affiliated with the hospital that all of the patients in his data base haven't been contacted and given options on how to proceed. For a hospital, time is money, and the longer they wait to replace this guy, the more patient revenue they will lose. Definitely work your way up to the top to demand a resolution. Delay is not denial.

Oh, I am a surgical coordinator (different specialty) and a physician/surgeon upping and leaving with no plan for patients does not surprise me one single bit. This happened to me just a few months ago. For some reason one of my surgeons was suddenly unable to operate at all, not even minor cases and procedures. It was my job as coordinator to figure what on earth to do with all these patients without having the details. Say it with me. "NIGHTMARE." Crazy things happen in the world of healthcare. That said, it sounds like your hospital has a insurance network for employees that included the hospital you worked in - not uncommon, especially in private settings. Good thing, bariatric surgery is NOT elective. If you've met the standards for approval, you should be given an in-network option through your plan. If may take time, DO NOT GIVE UP. This may not have been the path or direction you were intending and you have a lot of emotions (as one would) and security of having it all planned out. You will get this figured out in time.

I agree with the above comments. I'd be thankful that I didn't have surgery from this guy if he's someone who just up and moves. What if you had the surgery and had complications and he was just gone? That would be way scary.

I know you are VERY frustrated, but I agree. Call your insurance and see if there are other options. Even if you have to travel half a day to another hospital and stay at a hotel for a few days it would be worth it!

GOOD LUCK! I'm saying a prayer for you.

@@jessdawn37

Don't give up hope! I actually went in for surgery in September 2012 and when I woke up I was told they couldn't do the surgery due to my liver. I thought that was a sign that I was meant to stay this way forever. I had gotten into a car accident in the parking lot of that clinic, and it seemed that whatever could go wrong always seemed to go wrong there.

Fast forward to the end of 2013 and I decided to look into other doctors. I went to a surgeon who told me I should do bypass, but I know that wasn't the right decision for me, so I looked again and found Dr. Landerholm.

I went in for a consult and told him how I gave up and he told me never to give up hope. He had me do a three week pre op diet and I had surgery last Monday (9/22). I also had a hiatal hernia repaired that the first surgeon said I didn't have, so I have to look at it as a blessing in disguise. If the first doc had done the sleeve, I'd still have a huge hole in my diaphragm where my stomach was stuck.

If you would like to msg me please do:

mkwhite1280@gmail.com