GreytDog

Got a fun phone call yesterday... About a month and a half after I received a letter and phone call informing me that my surgery was approved and that I just had to wait for the specific doctor to be approved, I received yesterday's call telling me they made a mistake. Federal BC/BS won't cover lap band but they'll cover the regular gastric bypass surgery. DH asked what would have happened if I'd already had the surgery...and the rep said we would have had a big problem. (sigh) Supposedly, I can write a letter of protest. Think there's any hope?

Hi, Nurse.... I understand from high stress jobs. I used to eat stress for a living. Based on the conversation with this doctor...whose card I have downstairs but not in front of me, there was one doctor who was certified already. The guy I spoke to just didn't happen to be him. This doesn't mean he's never done surgery before...they've all done the gastric bypass...just not the lap banding. I'm still torn because I want the surgery and I liked their facility...but I don't want to have that particular doctor (Kazmaric is something similar to his name) do the surgery and I don't want to give my husband (going for cardiac cath #8 in 24 months) any more stress than he already has. Let me know your impressions. Peace, GreytDog

I just checked out Barix Clinics last month. I took my husband with me for support; but he is not at all impressed with the facilities. Worse than anything is the fact that the doctor who spoke to me is NOT yet certified to do the surgery. My insurance has just approved me for the facility but additional paperwork needs to be filed to have the surgeon approved. My husband is VERY concerned about the fact that if I go ahead with plans at Barix that I will be this doctor's FIRST certified banding patient. Yes, we understand that somebody always has to be first....but doesn't it feel much better when you're 500th? His concern arises from a failed surgery of his own where he was the doctor's 4th or 5th patient. (sigh) We're scheduled to check out Temple in a couple of weeks; but their program requires at least $600 out of pocket. However, my appointment is with the CHIEF of surgery, there. What do you think?

Hi. Looking for a good lap band surgeon in Philadelphia. Any suggestions?