I am trying to jump through all the hoops. I know they are important hoops and I know they are there for a reason.

But it's so HARD. And it doesn't help that the surgeon's office seems as busy and disorganized as I am.

I am in a really busy work time, I travel a lot, put in a lot of hours. My company is being bought out so it's a time of uncertainty (will I even have a job?) I'm trying to get this surgery done in 2008 because what if my insurance changes and won't cover it in 2009 (IF I have a job)?? Stuff like that.

Well, I'm trying to do it all. I filed the original paperwork with the surgeon's office and they confirmed I am a candidate and said they would request approval from my insurance. In the meantime, I'm supposed to do all this other stuff.

I've already done all the bloodwork, which was time off work. I know I have to see "their" psychologist, nutritionist, etc. but I've called the office TWICE to get the contact info so I can make the appointments and no one calls back.

And I'm also required to go to their orientation. They only have them during the weekday, once per month. The first one I was registered for I ended up having to cancel because I had to go on a business trip. So I wait a month for the next one, take a half day off work, and they left us sitting in a conference room for TWO hours. They couldn't find the doctor, they couldn't find the nurse, etc. etc.

I left so angry, shaking and near tears. How am I going to be able to do this? How can I manage to jump through all these hoops if I can't even count on THEM being responsive and organized? I'm really upset.

I suppose I should switch doctors but, darn it, I chose that surgeon because of his reputation. Should I "fight" with his office to make it happen, or am I going to regret that (my feeling is that I don't want his staff to dislike me - that might not bode well for my care).

This sucks. I'm so discouraged and I don't know how to push this through. Any advice or encouragement would be appreciated.

I have heard the same scenario from lots of other pre lap banders.. hang in there.. I hope to have my done to..but I am not as far along as you.. I hope I dont run into the same crap you are.. but I am sure I will run into some of it... Just look foward to the light at the end of the tunnel.. and How great you will look.. buthe way .. I think you look great right now.. and lucky you tohave such a supportive and cute partner..

good luck

Irene

Just a follow up.... I wrote a letter and faxed it to them. The program manager called me back right away and apologized profusely for the comedy of errors.

She explained that they have changed systems, moved offices, and changed how they deliver orientation all within the span of a few months and that's what is responsible for the mistakes made here. She gave me her direct line and has promised to guide me through as painlessly as possible.

The reason I chose the surgeon is his reputation and his affiliation with Washington University / Barnes-Jewish Hospital. And I still think that is such an important thing. I suppose I'm going to stick with my original plan. If I see any more mis-handlings, then I will need to find a different surgeon, but if the woman I spoke to is to be believed, then that should all be behind me. One can hope.

So, the process continues.

My biggest challenge now is that I am basically out on business travel for 3 weeks in a row so that will all be lost time. Sigh.

And {blush} thank you for the nice compliment. )

Hey Linda, it's Kelly. Just popping in to see how you are doing. It sounds like it is a frustrating process, I guess I'll soon find out. I have decided to go ahead and get the ball rolling here too and put ttc on the backburner. I just can't take being this big anymore. :confused: It looks like we are at the exactly same place (weight wise), so we can go through this together. :thumbup:

Oh, I have an appointment with my PCM June 24, but I'm gonna bug them till they move it up. Also, Trey and I talked about it again and he is totally for me having the surgery. :wub:

I know I'm bumping a really, really OLD thread :lol but I thought I'd update.

I ended up having more and more problems with Dr. Eagon's office. I don't even know why I kept trying for so long. Well, actually, I do - he has really great credentials and he practices at a hospital recognized for excellence. But I still slowly lost more and more confidence.

When Dr. Eagon's office submitted me for insurance approval, I was denied. The problem was that they require a medically supervised pre-surgery regimen that I THOUGHT we were doing through the surgical office, but it ends up that no, the stuff I was doing through the surgical office didn't qualify as that at all - so I had to start over with 6 months of this medically supervised program.

I switched surgeons and it's been night and day difference. Dr. Wagner's staff is really on the ball - the patient care and follow up has been GREAT.

Over a year after I started this journey, I'm finally scheduled. My surgery is less than 2 weeks away!!