So Annoyed I Could Scream!

[littlerlou 7]

Ive been working so hard at getting my ducks in a row for my surgery. My first appt. was back in October where I was told I had to change insurances. I had to start the whole process over. I started jumping through all the hoops because the office was telling me that once my insurance changed over..I was looking at a mid-late January surgery date!! YIPPPPPEEEE!! So I went to my surgeon meeting on Tuesday. I was so excited. Meet with the Dr. and he tells me how he wonderful he thinks this surgery will be and that we are going to go ahead and schedule a date...again..YIPPPPPEEEEE..so we are walking out of the room and getting ready to talk to the nurse and he casually mentions "Dont schedule any appointments," she looks at him stunned and he looks at me and says "We have some facility politics going on right now..so I dont know where I will be within the next few weeks"...My jaw dropped. So then I get put in a room with others who are just as confused as I am..we talk to the nutritionist and the insurance lady, none who can answer our questions...then the scheduling lady comes in and tells us.."I have no clue whats going on..its office politics..they are hiring a couple more people to do surgeries and he doesnt seem happy about that...so, if you want to have your surgery by him, you *may* have to go to a different hospital. The new hospital does not have a special unit...they dont have a team...it will just be him and a couple nurses that he will be training...and who knows when we will get our appt.

Im furious..the whole reason I switched insurances was to have this proceedure at that particular hospital with that doctor and that team. Now...its all up in the air. I

I tried to make an appointment with another doctor that was on staff at the current hospital and he said "Im not getting involved" so I cant even make an appointment with him,

Im so disappointed right now..I worked so hard getting everything ready and getting everything in order so I could have my surgery this month...got to know all the people at the facility and was really super excited..now..I just dont know

[B-52 7,113]

Yea, S*** Happens. I'm sure the office will have to do something. It is after all, all about making money now and the follow up long term care, and they will not let you or the other patients fall by the wayside that easy.

I had a similar situation, although not as bad. My surgery was scheduled for 1/31. The surgeon retired 1/1.

Everyone knew this but me. So I was introduced to the new surgeon 2 weeks prior and he asked me if I had any concerns about him taking over my case and performing the surgery.

The funny thing was, for as long as I was going there for all the pre-op stuff, I never met the surgeon in the first place. All meetings were with the nurses, office staff.

It was only when all the ducks are lined up do I meet with the surgeon.

Bottom line though, I had worked so hard and waited so long, nothing was going to deter me.

They could have done the surgery at the vetinarian's office and I would not have cared.

[Cocoabean 430]

Wow, just wow. If you can call the other doctor and not mention this one. That's what I would do. Just call and say I am interested in weight loss surgery and would like to have a consult.

Are there any other bariatric surgeons you can go to? I know with my insurance, I only had the choice of two.

[clfsong 0]

I'm thinking that you need to evaluate what is most important to you. Were you drawn to this office for the surgeon and his skill level most? His repour with people and his ability, or were you drawn there because of the staff, the quality of care there? Was it the reputation of the hospital? If you can figure out what is most important to you, that will help you decide what to do. They will play office politics, and I think you know this. You need to understand what is most important to you, and chose your course that way. I wish you the best in what ever you decide to do. What ever you decide, don't give up. You have come a long way. You should not give up now.