Switching Doctors in the middle of the process-UGH!

[Gendy 27]

I am so ticked off! I went to the doctor to get my band unfilled as an emergency because I couldn't keep any food down. I thought the doctor's office had submitted my paperwork to the insurance company on 10/8/14, but they didn't. It seems that my doctor no longer works there so I have to go to a new doctor AND the new doctor won't do the surgery in one surgery he does it in two. My deductible is met for this year and they're not sure they can get me in for one surgery this year, much less both surgeries. They want to wait 6 weeks between surgeries. The doctor's office kept apologizing and saying that somehow my case slipped between the cracks. No one ever called to let me know the doctor no longer worked there. If I hadn't gone in at the last minute, I would have kept thinking that my paperwork was submitted to the insurance. They even called me and cancelled my 10/1/14 appointment saying it wasn't necessary since my paperwork was ready to go. The doctor left 3 weeks ago! In the mean time I've lost 28 pounds since July, not by trying, but because the band was too tight and I couldn't keep anything down. So now my BMI is at 34. I'm not sure the insurance will even approve me now. I was warned not to gain any weight or they won't do the surgery.

Has anyone else had to switch doctor's in the middle of going thru the process of the revision from band to sleeve? I'm so mad I could just spit.

[Alfie 58]

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I am not yet sleeved but I am banded. I also have a hospital deductible yearly so now is the time I'm sure you want to get your surgery done before 2015.

Going through the insurance process can be long but it can also get done quickly if needed. Can you find someone that will do both surgeries together?

Edited October 27, 2014 by Alfie

[Gendy 27]

I'm going to see what happens on Thursday when I go to another doctor in the Clinic. If he can't get me in for at least one surgery by the end of the year, then I will switch to another local clinic. I would prefer one surgery, but the clinic said that they have studies that say two surgeries has better results and less leakage. I'll see what happens Thursday.

[Gendy 27]

Met with the doctor today. Doesn't look very good for me to get the sleeve. He says I've lost too much weight since July. How ironic since the previous doctor told me to lose weight to show the insurance company I was serious about the sleeve. New doctor says my BMI is too low and I have no other issues except that I'm obese. They are still going to submit it to the insurance company, but I'm not getting my hopes up. I hope they still remove the band though.

[georgiare 63]

Oh that's too bad. My doc told me that I had to empty the band and the insurance would want to have some indication that I would not be able to maintain weight loss without restriction, so when I gained 15lbs with an empty band I was approved without issue. I sure hope it works out for you!

[Gendy 27]

Yeah! My paperwork is finally at the Insurance Company. Now it's time to wait. Hopefully it goes quick and I get approved.

[Gendy 27]

I got approved! Just waiting to hear from the surgeon to get surgery dates. I have to have my band removed in one surgery and 6 weeks later get the sleeve.

[Alfie 58]

Congratulations you must be so excited!!!