I knew better than to get my hopes up

Well the insurance company called me today and the doctor that I have been seeing is not going to be able to do my surgery. Instead I have to go to New Orleans which is about 6 hours from here to have my surgery. The doctor is in my plan, but the hospital is not. I have to go to a baratric center of excellence facility. They didn't tell me that to begin with. I'm just so upset about the whole deal because I liked my doctor and felt confident about him. I worry about all of the pre-op testing now. I haven't done any of that yet and now i have to worry about how many times am I going to have to drive 6 hours one way.

I just am all confused all over again...:tt2::tt2::frown:

I was 320 when i started going to the clinic to see my Dr. I have now spoken to him three times, once three months before, once 10 minutes before the surgery and once at my one week check up. I believe you need to happy with the clinic because that is who you will be relating to most of the time... My tests consisted of him poking around for about 5 minutes and one blood test, that was it!! You could probably have pre op tests done anywhere and have it faxed to the place you have surgery and the new Dr. Thats what I did because my insurance paid for any tests but not the procedure. I did have to supply the fax numbers. This may cut down on travel time. If its possible i recomend you take supplies and get a room for the surgery day. I would have hated to have to travel right after. but im a baby.

I'm sorry for your news. I did the waiting game and when I got postponed I was bummed out too. but i can see you are on the right track because you are not waiting for the band to take off some pounds. I wish you well.

We all say we'd do anything to lose weight. Its not the end of the world. Try to always get booked in on a late Friday afternoon, then you can either stay over on the Thursday night or the Friday night so you don't have to drive that far twice in one day.

Would it be cheaper to get the bus there? Try to arrange appts to be monthly so at least you don't have the stress of it weekly. Also, see if they will agree to have someone closer to home monitor you for any diet you have to do. That should make things a little easier.

Where there's a will, there's a way.

im 5 hours from my doctor. but it is worth it. maybe you can get your fills near your home. good luck. im sure it will work out ok. once you are losing you will be feeling good and maybe the drive wont be so bad. i dont mind the drive. i drive at nite and totally relax with good music and my coffee. it my down time.

Moved out of Introductions for you, you'll get more visibility here. :thumbup:

remember you are still getting it done on insurance....Thats gonna last forever and good bye fat! It will be over before you know it! Good Luck

Talk to the doctor close to you and see if he will do your fills there so you will have someone close by. Hopefully he will understand that it was not your decision. My surgeon does not do the pre-op testing. He gave me a report to give to my PCP requesting the tests so maybe the new surgeon will do the same.

It will be worth it. I love my band.

Thank you all for your awsome support.

I love this forum.