pattychat

I'm going to say this and that's it. Thank you all for your wonderful support through this. I've had many of you call with support, post with support, Thank you. I will say this about Dr. Mejias and not return to lapbandtalk.com. I began the lapband process in March of 07. I do not need to go through each step of the process.. you all know it. 7 days before my surgery, the office called and said I had to pay "the part insurance would not pay or no surgery." I felt this was unfair and did not have the surgery and will take measures to make sure this happens to no one else. Those of you who know me know that I've been through much bigger things. When someone decided to attack my parenting skills, it affirmed that I did the right thing. The person who made this comment doesn't even know me but decided to make this personal. It is not. It is about POLICY. But,on a personal note.. I did have gallbladder surgery by Dr. Mejias and that surgery went exceptionally well. Janet, Crystal, Anna,Heather, at Dr. Mejias' office were all wonderful, however, someone in his office (not named above) decided to take all of this personally. That came about because I made a complaint because while in the process of getting gall bladder surgery, I was sent for my pre-opt 4 hours too early. After waiting for over an hour, I asked how much longer and was told my appointment was still 3 hours away. The receptionist called Dr. Mejias' office (NOT ME) and asked why I had been sent there hours before my surgery. It was at that point that I spoke with the OM and she argueed with me. I'm on the phone at the hospital and she argues with me. I had called a total of 8 times ( I have them documented with names) tying to find out about my gall bladder surgery. I left messages and my phone calls were not returned. (Exception being Heather) She was GREAT but from what I understand no longer works there. When I complaind about this I was told by the OM that it was "unfortunate that people got vacations." I told her that it was NOT unfortunate that people got vacations, that vacations were a WONDERFUL thing but what was unfortunate was that I had been in pain for 3 months, had called many times, and now here I stand at the hospital, confused... at the wrong time, because I couldn't get any one to return my calls. At my post op, Dr. Mejias brought this up to me.. I did NOT bring it up. Janet can attest to this. I simply told him I thought it was wrong for his OM to argue with me while I was at the hospital. I wouldn't have brought it up. I didn't even tell him about how many times I had called and left messages that were never returned. I had called the day before my gall bladder surgery was scheduled and asked for the 8th time about my surgery. I said "My surgery is tomorrow and I really need some information about it". That was at 9:30am the day before my surgery and was told I should come by, get my paper work and go to the hospital for my pre-opt. I did. I got to the hospital at 11:00 but my post-opt schedule wasn't until 3. As for the surgery, when I finally got it, it went off without a hitch and Dr. Mejias seems to be an excellent surgeon. If you are considering lapband surgery in Athens, GA, by all means, consider Dr. Mejias. I do feel he is an excellent surgeon, but please ask up front if you will have to pay before the surgery is done. I have never paid for surgery before so I didn't know to ask this question. I can not stress enough how much it will hurt if you go through the whole process only to be told ONE WEEK before that you have to pay upfront. A friend of mine who was going to go to surgery with me, called the office in my defense, and was told (among other things) that most people "surprisingly" came up with the money. I, too, could have but felt if I didn't stand up for something I felt was wrong, someone would come along who couldn't and would be crushed by this. You all know the psychological stuff you go through while waiting. To have it pulled a week before is tough. Lap dancer talked about signs. I have to accept this as a sign that for whatever reason, I was not suppose to have this surgery. The last affirmation of this was when usedtbfat attacked my parenting skills. My children were born with disabilities that required my full time attention. I quit work, did without many things, in order to work with my children. I do not regret that decision, and have recently returned to work. I have NEVER not paid a bill in my life. My children are doing very well today and have been told over and over that I'm am a big reason for this. I was diagnosed with a brain tumor a few years ago and some of my friends asked me what else will you have to go through. Having my lapband surgery pulled away from me a week before surgery was tough but it was in no way as tough as other things I have been through. "That which does not kill us makes us stonger". The truth always comes out at the end... and what comes around goes around. I sleep very well at night knowing I did the right thing and hopefully this won't happen to anyone else. I'm used to being an advocate. I've advocated for my children my whole life. Advocates don't always get what they want, but they do tend to affect policy and get things changed for others. Only Dr. Mejias' futrure patients will know this. IF you are being told more than ONE WEEK before surgery that you have to pay the part insurance does not pay then I will have made a differnce. I hope so. Now, this to Dr. Mejias' office. If I have said anything "false or inaccurate" prove it. I'm going to give you a chance, so gather your proof. I have mine. I have been instrumental in changing policy for children with disabilities in this state. I will continue with those efforts as well as my efforts to change the policy at Dr. Mejias office. My best to all of Dr. Mejias's patients. It is my opinion that he is an excellent surgeon. Good luck to you all.

lap dancer, Reading your post about signs made me feel better. My surgeon, Dr. Mejias, called 7 days before my surgery and said pay upfront or no surgery. Now, mind you, I had been in the process for 8 months. I went in to see him for my pre-opt visit and was told to pay the part insurance did not pay or no surgery. I walked out because I felt his policy was unfair. Maybe it was a sign.

Laurend.. did you read this lastest one by Usedtbfat. Check your PM. She feels sorry for MY kids. I've done one of the things you suggested and working on the other two.

Yeah, my attorney was willing to set up a payment plan. Isn't that nice.

Katybeth<p>understand how you are feeling. That is exactly how I felt when my doctor told me ONE WEEK before surgery that I would have to pay the amount insurance wouldn't pay up front. I felt as though I would be taking from my kids. I was told by Coco6399 to "get over myself and pay the man". Sure, easy enough, right?</p>

Nancy, Yes, I'm going through with it. Thanks for the encouragement and advice. Pattychat

Hey Einie, Sorry I missed your call. Yes, I heard from NYC and JW. Call me and I'll tell you what's going on. Pattychat

Asking for payment up front is not bullying you.... I felt as thought it were because I had been in the process for 8 months and then ONE WEEK before surgery they tell me I have to pay upfront or no surgery. Why not tell me that 8 months ago and I could have saved. Surely you all know what its like saving for Christmas. Get over myself? Is that really what I need to do? If I had been thinking of myself I would have begged, borrowed, what ever it took to come up with the money in a week but that would have definately been putting my family second. Am I truely the ONLY ONE who has a problem with the week issue? If I'm wrong I'd say so. My attorney feels I'm not wrong and is working on it. It may very well cost me what I would have spent on the lapband but I feel it was wrong to wait until one week before to ask for the money and I'll go down fighting. Again, It's not the upfront payment that I'm upset about... it's the week's notice and the office sharing info about me. It's just wrong.

<p>Yes, Janet was very nice. I had no problems with the people at Dr. Mejias. Only his one week notice to pay before surgery. I'm sure all of the people there (including Dr. Mejias) are wonderful people. This is not a people issue... just a policy issue. I had been in the banding process for 8 months. Surely, I could have been told before one week before my surgery. That's all. The OM was very helpful when I had called for the 5th time because I was in pain with my gallbladder. She got the ball rolling on that one and for that, I thank her.</p>

my feeling exactly. I understand why... but not how. With a lap band, you really need a "long standing" relationship with your Doc. If you don't pay the bill, I would think that would not be conducive to a good relationship. Banders are not likely to just walk. (at least, I wouldn't) I've never NOT paid a bill in my life. That should account for something but it evidently did not.

Sorry Wasa, I looked back and you have already acknowledged that you disagreed with the 7 day notice. My bad. I just didn't want for that point to get lost. My gripe is the 7 day notice... not the upfront payment.

Wasa, I've read your posts defending upfront payment. the Docs really are the last to be paid most of the time so many have switched to the payment up front kind of policy. I want to say again, I have no problem with an upfront payment. What I had a problem with was jumping through all the hoops (8 months worth) only to be told 7 days prior to my surgery I had to pay or no surgery. I just want to make sure you are not missing that point. Do you feel that part was fair?

By the way.... Laurend. My weight and BMI are higher that what you started with, so I really needed the band. My deductable had been paid for this year and I don't think I'll be able to get surgery in this year.

Thank you SO much for getting my point. It was never the money up front... it was waiting until 7 days before surgery to tell me that got me. I had already taken off work, made arrangements for my kids to be taken care of the night I'd be in the hospital.... plus gotten my hopes up after waiting 8 longs months for the surgery.

if it gets boring then why did you read it? Could it be you have a personal interest?

yes, about filing with HIPA? I will. Thanks so much for that info.

opps, I meant Thanks Laurend and wasa. What usetbfat and Dr. Mejias don't realize is I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to lose here. He already stripped me down to nothing by allowing me to go thorugh 8 months of preband stuff and then pulling what he did. I could have paid him but my trust for him was gone. Why does he put patients through a psy.? The true psy. testing was done by him.. and I guess I didn't pass that one.

Thanks PC. My friend who called the office told me the same thing. She is the one who is guilty of slander. She told my friends thing that are "illegal" for a medical person to tell. Give her enough rope and she'll hand herself. Thanks again for figuring her out. The Dr. did say it was a "new policy". One I think she had a lot to do with. I've cried every day since walking out of his office but even then I was nice about it. I told him that I was sorry but I just couldn't go along with his policy. His practice must be doing very well.. he seemed to care less. I'm sure Er... I mean the OM had a lot to do with this. There is no telling what she told the Dr. The bright spot in all this is that for once I finally stood up for my self. That tastes really good. I may even take it a step further and take legal action against OM for giving out personal information.

usetbfat, You wrote: I would hope that if someone was saying lies about me,that someone out there would stand up for me. Name ONE lie I told. I'll bet it will be real easy for you to show this to Dr. Mejias since you work with him every day. Laurend was smart enough to figure you out. The TRUTH always comes out. If you knew me you'd know that I'm a good person and what you put into motion was a bad thing. "End of discussion".

Wasa, Thank you so much for standing up for me. I believe this is the OM that gave out personal information. I have not told any lies... ONLY the truth. I can't tell you how hard it was to walk out .... being only days away from my surgery. The OM was mad at me b/c I complained about how slow it was taking to get my gall bladder surgery done. I was in PAIN and couldn't even get the office to return my phone calls. I guess that should have been a sign then. Then, when I went for my pre-op for the gall bladder surgery, the hospital actually called their office b/c I was at the pre-op 3 hours early and had no idea why I was having to wait for 2 hours to be seen. The Dr.s office had told me to go to the hospital at 11 but my pre-opt wasn't until 2. I told the Dr. about this and how the OM had argued with me. I felt she had it out for me from that point on. She has a problem with being wrong and I'm sure got a lot of satisfaction from my walking out. You are right, I NEVER said how much it was. And, again, I could have come up with the money but for them to wait 7 days before surgery and say come up with this or no surgery. I have let people walk on me my whole life but to me, this was the OM finding a way to get back at me for complaining. If she can live with that, I can live without the surgery. Again, thanks for standing up for me. It made me cry.

Ilene62, For me the hardest part was 7 days before my surgery, Dr. Mejias's office called with the little surprise that I would have to pay the part "that insurance didn't pay". I had been in the process for 8 months only to be told 7 days before surgery I would have to pay OR not have the surgery. My insurance approved but the Dr. wouldn't do it unless I paid. THE

I went through the whole process only to be stopped by a bullying Doctor 7 days before surgery because he said pay now or no surgery. He should have told me 8 months ago that he would require "the part insurance" would not pay upfront. I walked out on surgery. If op patients let Dr.'s they'll continue to treat us badly.

Roxie.. what is Dr. Lin's number?

I understand your frustration. I walked out on my lapband surgery because Dr. Mejias called me 7 days before my surgery and said that "the part insurance didn't pay" was due before surgery or no surgery. I could have come up with the money but felt his policy was unfair! Even more unfair... I had to have my gall bladder out on July 25th and had to have that paid for by my Oct 9th(would have been yesterday) surgery date. I did that so that should have been proof I paid my bills. His office manager also gave out personal information about me by phone. Why? Because we allow them to treat us this way. If more people would walk out they wouldn't jerk us around.

yes, I could put it on a credit card but the issue is more about the prinicple of the thing rather than the money. I walked out because it was NOT fair. One week before surgery is not enough time to tell someone they have to pay the amount that insurance would not pay or no surgery. I felt bullied.