zinthar

This morning was my initial consultation and Dr. visit. It was supposed to be a 3 hour ordeal...it ended up being almost 4! It was ridiculous! The bottle neck was that there were like 12 of us for the hour long presentation and requisite Dr. one on one afterward and, when we got there, instead of asking everyone as they came in for their Insurance Card and handed them a clipboard, they had people sign in, wait to be called up, asked for their Insurance Card, made a copy of it, and then handed them the clipboard for more paperwork to fill out. Then, after that, we had to wait until they called us back individially to get our height/weight/BP and sent us back to the waiting room. I got there at 8am...it was 9:40 when they finally started the presentation. It was over at 11:30, I was finally seen by the Dr. at 12:30...now, I don't know about anyone else but, that was pretty bad! Nonetheless, I finally got to talk to Dr. Caccuci and she said that she thought I was a good candidate and I should have no problems getting approved. *I've heard that before* So, my next steps are to get my PCP to fax over my medical records to Dr. C and schedule my psych eval...which, I'm told, is another 3 hour ordeal. Actually, my next step is to talk to my boss today and let him know what is going on with all these Dr. appts I'm going to start having...this should be fun.

This morning was my initial consultation and Dr. visit. It was supposed to be a 3 hour ordeal...it ended up being almost 4! It was ridiculous! The bottle neck was that there were like 12 of us for the hour long presentation and requisite Dr. one on one afterward and, when we got there, instead of asking everyone as they came in for their Insurance Card and handed them a clipboard, they had people sign in, wait to be called up, asked for their Insurance Card, made a copy of it, and then handed them the clipboard for more paperwork to fill out. Then, after that, we had to wait until they called us back individially to get our height/weight/BP and sent us back to the waiting room. I got there at 8am...it was 9:40 when they finally started the presentation. It was over at 11:30, I was finally seen by the Dr. at 12:30...now, I don't know about anyone else but, that was pretty bad! Nonetheless, I finally got to talk to Dr. Caccuci and she said that she thought I was a good candidate and I should have no problems getting approved. *I've heard that before* So, my next steps are to get my PCP to fax over my medical records to Dr. C and schedule my psych eval...which, I'm told, is another 3 hour ordeal. Actually, my next step is to talk to my boss today and let him know what is going on with all these Dr. appts I'm going to start having...this should be fun.

Did your Primary Physician and Cardiologist tell you why they were not enthusiastic?

Hey all... Well, last week I went to a weight loss doctor to get more information on 'non-surgical' weight loss methods. The whole thing was a joke. First of all, they thought I was there to become a patient right off the bat. I wasn't. I told the person on the phone when I made the appointment that I was looking for a consultation and more information about their program so I can compare that with the 'surgical' methods and make a better decision. However, this fact was lost on the appointment person and she made me the appt. So, when I got there, I had to fill out like 20 minutes worth of paperwork and get a urine test and get height/weight, etc. before being taken back to the room. When I got there, the nurse asked me some questions and then, during the conversation, I reminded her that I was only there for information, NOT to become a patient....she got all shitty with me and said that the appointment person should have noted that on my form. Then, she proceeded to tell me that a consultation fee would then apply of $45...not covered by insurance! I was pissed. So, then the Dr. comes in and begins by asking me if I had any questions. I said, "Yeah, tell me about your program!" (duh) So, with the next few setences that came out of her mouth, I could have avoided all of this!!! She said the magic words..."not covered by any insurance" and $1800 fee, with a 40% deposit!! She then said that this should have been part of the information/question session the appointment person would have had with me. (ENRAGED) I gently told her that I was never told any of this and that I would get back with her.... Needless-to-say, I haven't called back. You know, "not covered by any insurance" should be STANDARD communication to anyone who calls to make an appointment!! Maybe it's me! Either way, I have a presentation/consultation to go to on Monday for the 'surgical' procedures which, in all honesty, I was leaning towards in the first place. The 'non' Dr. just seemed unenthused about her own program and did not, in any way, make me feel that it would work for me. I'll write more Monday.

Hey all... Well, last week I went to a weight loss doctor to get more information on 'non-surgical' weight loss methods. The whole thing was a joke. First of all, they thought I was there to become a patient right off the bat. I wasn't. I told the person on the phone when I made the appointment that I was looking for a consultation and more information about their program so I can compare that with the 'surgical' methods and make a better decision. However, this fact was lost on the appointment person and she made me the appt. So, when I got there, I had to fill out like 20 minutes worth of paperwork and get a urine test and get height/weight, etc. before being taken back to the room. When I got there, the nurse asked me some questions and then, during the conversation, I reminded her that I was only there for information, NOT to become a patient....she got all shitty with me and said that the appointment person should have noted that on my form. Then, she proceeded to tell me that a consultation fee would then apply of $45...not covered by insurance! I was pissed. So, then the Dr. comes in and begins by asking me if I had any questions. I said, "Yeah, tell me about your program!" (duh) So, with the next few setences that came out of her mouth, I could have avoided all of this!!! She said the magic words..."not covered by any insurance" and $1800 fee, with a 40% deposit!! She then said that this should have been part of the information/question session the appointment person would have had with me. (ENRAGED) I gently told her that I was never told any of this and that I would get back with her.... Needless-to-say, I haven't called back. You know, "not covered by any insurance" should be STANDARD communication to anyone who calls to make an appointment!! Maybe it's me! Either way, I have a presentation/consultation to go to on Monday for the 'surgical' procedures which, in all honesty, I was leaning towards in the first place. The 'non' Dr. just seemed unenthused about her own program and did not, in any way, make me feel that it would work for me. I'll write more Monday.

Hey guys... I'm not banded but, I have meeting with Dr. on Monday. I have been doing the requisite research and learning all I can about the surgery, etc. However, everytime my wife and I talk about my weight and the surgery, she thinks that I'm taking the easy way out and that I'm quitting and that she thinks all I need to do is eat salads and start working out. It really hurts me (sorry..I know, it's a 'guys' board and this statement sounds 'unmanly') to the point that I'm starting to wonder if she will support me at all in this process and post-op. She is going to go, reluctantly, to the Dr. with me Monday but, the lack of support and understanding from my own wife concerns me...any one else out there have this issue? ck