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Wish I could change surgeons



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So frustrated because I feel so in the dark about my insurance approval. The surgeons financial person contacted me last week saying she didn't have my 5 yr weight history. That upset me because when I had my consultation with them I brought all my papers and gave them copies, so I told her I would fax them. I waited two days with no word from her, so I emailed asking if she received, them in which she replied no, so I told her I'd try again if not I'd bring them at my next appointment. (My insurance requires I go to a center of excellence and the closest to me is nearly 300 miles away, so I Couldn't just go and drop that off) luckily my next appointment was only a couple days from when I sent the last email. I go in give it to them the girl makes a copy and says she'd get it to her right away. Even as I was leaving they mentioned how I had gotten all of my paperwork in and they'd submit to insurance that day. Being as impatient as I am I call my insurance today (about two days later) seeing if they received it only to be disappointed that it had not been submitted:/ it's so frustrating because they said they'd send it that day, so I emailed her asking if she received it and now I just wait for a reply. I've had so many ups and downs on this journey, and I feel this surgeons office isn't the best (Idk if this is standard but I only met the surgeon once and they made it seem as if the only other time I'd come in contact with him is surgery day). Had I not have a dumb clause saying I had to go to a center of excellence I definitely would change surgeons, but the next closest one to me is over 500 miles away :( but I'm trying to stay positive

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I can totally relate. I saw my Surgeon 1 time before my RNY. And even after I saw the PA more than him!! It also was a Bariatric Center of Excellence!! My hubby, on the other hand sent his paperwork 3 times!! Twice he sent them in a FAX. The last time we took them in and handed them to the person!!! Things do get lost but not that many times!! I'm sorry you are going thru this stuff. It is very hard to keep your chin up for sure. Just keep on them is what I would do. Be Pushy.

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I can totally relate. I saw my Surgeon 1 time before my RNY. And even after I saw the PA more than him!! It also was a Bariatric Center of Excellence!! My hubby, on the other hand sent his paperwork 3 times!! Twice he sent them in a FAX. The last time we took them in and handed them to the person!!! Things do get lost but not that many times!! I'm sorry you are going thru this stuff. It is very hard to keep your chin up for sure. Just keep on them is what I would do. Be Pushy.

Yeah I met with the PA and she was the one that made it seem like I would be only seeing her for my follow ups, but yeah I'm going to stay on top of them. I feel this delay has pushed me back because I was hoping to get surgery before the end of the year because I met my deductible, but that's definitely not going to happen now

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That's terrible... I know what you mean with the insurance deductible. My surgeon's office is doing 103 surgeries this month trying to get people in by the end of the year.

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That's terrible... I know what you mean with the insurance deductible. My surgeon's office is doing 103 surgeries this month trying to get people in by the end of the year.

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Wow lol that's insane, my surgeon oddly only does surgery on mondays update though she emailed me back and said she got my papers, so hopefully they'll be submitted now. I know they hate people bugging but with the experience I've had I plan on staying on top of them

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I met my surgeon for about 15 minutes during my sixth "diet visit" appointment. On the actual surgery day, he never spoke to me, and he only talked to my parents and my partner (actually, just my mom) on the phone after the surgery. When my mom asked him some questions, he was very condescending. He showed up 3 hours late to the hospital with no notice or apologies. I was the last surgery, and leaving was more important than talking to my family face-to-face as he had apparently done with the families of all the patients before me.

I see the NP for everything, and I imagine I'll never lay eyes on that guy again in my life. I appreciate the fact that he is very talented and he did a good job, but as a person, at least based on my experience, he is lacking.

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I had that problem trying to get approved and called day in and day out and sent emails. Eventually all was well. You must be a advocate cuZ they will take they time. I've seen my surgeon twice and I will see him again surgery day. I honestly only thing u need 2 see him once and then surgery day. I figure it's all about the money

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I had that problem trying to get approved and called day in and day out and sent emails. Eventually all was well. You must be a advocate cuZ they will take they time. I've seen my surgeon twice and I will see him again surgery day. I honestly only thing u need 2 see him once and then surgery day. I figure it's all about the money

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Yeah I figure it's all about the money too. It's good to see some people only see their surgeon a handful of times. I was discouraged seeing others on here saying how they love their surgeons and how amazing they are, but I guess at the end of the day all there job is to do is complete the surgery.

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I had that problem trying to get approved and called day in and day out and sent emails. Eventually all was well. You must be a advocate cuZ they will take they time. I've seen my surgeon twice and I will see him again surgery day. I honestly only thing u need 2 see him once and then surgery day. I figure it's all about the money

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Yeah I figure it's all about the money too. It's good to see some people only see their surgeon a handful of times. I was discouraged seeing others on here saying how they love their surgeons and how amazing they are, but I guess at the end of the day all there job is to do is complete the surgery.

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Same, I've seen my surgeon one time for 15 minutes while he got a family history. Oh and then when he did my endoscopy and colonoscopy, he came in once I was already drugged up and was behind me the whole time so did that really count?

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
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      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

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        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
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