Do I need a new surgeon????

blossom · 10-15-2004, 04:19 PM

I am so frustrated with my drs. office!!!! I can't seem to get a definite date from them. The best I have gotten is a tentative October 28, and now a tentative November 1. The only communication has been when I called the office, they never contact me. It seems to me that with either of those dates, I should already be going through some kind of testing. When I asked about it I was told, Well, yes there is testing to be done, but I couldn't get any more info. I called again this morning and the woman I spoke with was a real b*tch to me!!! She said she was sorry I felt like they weren't doing a good job (even though I NEVER said that). I told her that I had been working towards getting the band since June, I have had insurance approval for a month now and we have still not taken one step forward. She replied that I should keep in mind that this is all new to our community and it just takes time and that there are plenty of patients who have been waiting for insurance approval longer than me!

Is it just me or should I be looking for a new surgeon? Will I have to apply for insurance approval all over again?

MeganA · 10-15-2004, 04:31 PM

Blossom-
I'd say you should definitly look into finding an alternative surgeon. The hard part isn't getting the surgery, actually. I think the most challenging is finding a surgeon who provides great follow up care. If the office is this way now, I just have to imagine that they will be this way after you have surgery. You don't need a doctor's office to give you the run around when you have a too tight fill, or get the flu, or...

I'd rather you wait another year for another round of insurance stuff than get banded tomorrow and have no follow up. But then I know how frantic I was to get the surgery NOW when I finally decided to have it.

When the nurse said there are lots of people waiting...the first thing that popped into my head to say is- "I don't care if there are lots of people waiting- **I** am waiting". I never would have said that or even thought that pre surgery. I let people walk all over me and even did it to myself.

Best of luck!
Megan

La_madam · 10-15-2004, 04:37 PM

If they are treating you poorly now..it may not get any better post op. Just a thought

New Hope · 10-15-2004, 04:55 PM

Blossom, do you have any existing health problems? Have you had recent ekg, stress test, etc.? It could be that these are on your record and you won't have to redo. If you have no health problems, then less tests will need to be run.

Perhaps you need to schedule a office visit next week and go in and talk directly to your surgeon. Explain your concerns and fears about now, the surgery, and your aftercare. They do need to work according to your insurance company's policies - on precertification for surgery, hospitalization, etc. so you don't get any unexpected "surprises". I know my dr. office closes on noon on Fridays.

Giving this woman the benefit of the doubt, maybe she was just in a rush to get out the door and less than professional w/ you. Why don't you try to relax this weekend (you can't find out anything anyway) and give them another chance on Monday?

Also, you're probably running on sheer nerve right now. You've had a lot of personal stress going on with your puppy being sick. Why don't you try to relax this weekend and give them another chance on Monday? Realistically, you can't find out anything until then anyway. Hey, it will work out (whether w/ him or another surgeon)! Hang in there, girl! :)

Penni60 · 10-15-2004, 05:20 PM

Blossom: I would give yourself this weekend as well. But in the back of your mind get your ducks in a row and call that office as soon as it opens on Monday and demand some answers.

Also, does his office have a support group that meets regularly? Maybe you can contact some of those people and see if they are satisfied with the after care. That is SOOOOOO important to your success on this journey. It isn't the MOST important factor but it does play a part. If they are this way now pre-surgery I have to agree they might be this way after. You certainly don't want to have to jump through hoops when there is a problem.

Keep us posted.

Be researching other surgeons in your area. You can also call your insurance company and see if they will require you to refile. They might surprise you and say NO.

**Alexandra** · 10-15-2004, 06:45 PM

Quote:

She replied that I should keep in mind that this is all new to our community and it just takes time and that there are plenty of patients who have been waiting for insurance approval longer than me!

Blossom, it almost sounds as though your surgeon's office isn't aware that you have insurance approval!! Once they know your carrier will pay, scheduling surgery is usually the very next step. Are you sure they know you are not waiting for approval, but an actual surgery date?

claraluz · 10-15-2004, 11:42 PM

The part that bothers me is that the band is new to your community. I wouldn't advise being one of their first patients, if that is the case. It definitely sounds to me like they don't really have their act together. And I definitely wouldn't want to put up with the attitude you experienced today. If it were me, I would be looking for a new surgeon.

Nancy

molynn · 10-16-2004, 07:44 AM

Boy, if you can't get them to even give you a definite date for surgery, forget them ever giving you the aftercare and support you need. I would definitely check out other doctors in the area.

**Iluvharleys** · 10-16-2004, 08:07 AM

Blossom

You are right in the middle of so many great doctors, don't settle for someone you aren't happy with. When you call on Monday, if you don't get the answers you want, then please start looking for a different doctor. There are so many band doctors here in the metro-plex that will treat you right, don't settle for less.

Good Luck :D

Neicy · 10-18-2004, 11:04 PM

I know it must be so frustrating for you to be treated like this. I'd ask for the office manager and get some answers. Make sure they know you are approved and find out how many bands he's placed. You don't want to be the guinea pig. Getting re-approved should come easier if need be. Good luck, Blossom!

blossom · 10-19-2004, 10:23 AM

Well, I got a message yesterday from the dr's office that he wants to set the date for Nov. 5 and I should call them right away to make a pre-op appointment. I will call later today (when I am damn good and ready!).

Neicy, I think the B*TCH that I spoke to on Friday WAS the office manager! Nice staff, huh? I will probably stick with this dr. because I am sick to death of the wait. And I intend to move away in the next year, yet still be within reasonable driving distance of this dr. However, if I hear any more crap outta the staff, I already have another dr in mind who is just half an hour down the road from this one.

As far as the experience of the dr, he has been preforming the surgery in this community since July. I believe he said he had done it somewhere else previously, but his dream was to come home to Texas, so he is a new dr here in this town.

I guess I should be happy that I actually have a date now, but somehow it just all seems spoiled.

Katie328 · 10-19-2004, 10:39 AM

Oh blossom! You should be so happy you are scheduled!!!! This is a turning point in your life and you shouldnt let some crappy office staff take that away from you..SCR** Them!!! Does your Dr. have good aftercare? Has that been discussed? Now that I'm a month post op I realize how important that stuff is! Please please be happy...cause if your not maybe you should find another surgeon that will make you comfortable...just my 2 cents..

Let us know what happens!!!!!

katie

Zoe · 10-19-2004, 12:30 PM

I think you should have a word with your surgeon about his office staff. Remind him that he might lose patients if his front office representatives don't treat callers with courtesy and respect. As for the woman who treated you so rudely, maybe she's forgotten that it's thanks to people like you that she has a job and is not living in a cardboard box.

Katie328 · 10-19-2004, 12:49 PM

ohhh Zoe!!! VERY VERY good point!! You are paying their salary Blossom!!!

New Hope · 10-19-2004, 01:02 PM

Blossom, I still would schedule an in-office consult w/ your surgeon before your surgery. You really need to know what to expect from him and his staff, not only for the surgery, but maybe even more importantly for your aftercare. This is a huge investment in your health and you have every right to expect and receive quality care - every time you need them. You will definitely not regret getting your band! But we want you to have a wonderful surgeon and staff that will be there for you for a very long time. I bet he isn't aware of this woman's attitude and he needs to know so it can be corrected ASAP. Best of luck to you!