Anyone Have To Switch Doctors? Please Share Your Experience!

[TheRealSouthernBelle 22]

Okay, so I have recently moved and I'm looking for a new band doctor. I have heard that you basically have to pay just for the surgeon to see you. I want to know am I getting jerked around on these charges. The office charges $300 just for me to be a patient there. The first appointment I have to pay the $30 office visit from my insurance. Then I also have to pay for an upper GI, which I will have to pay for since I haven't met my deductible. Still waiting to hear how much they cost. Anyone have any idea? Then I have to pay another $30 for an office visit, so the doctor can go over the results with me. Before all of this I had to have my records forwarded before he even decided to take me on as a patient (guess he didn't want to inherit someone else's problem). I have no problem paying or whatever I just want to know if this is normal and about the price I have to pay or should I be looking elsewhere. Please share your experiences.

[Shellyac 22]

I decided to switch doctors after I had the surgery already scheduled with the first one. I didn't have any problems getting my paperwork forwarded to the new doctor and I pretty much had all of the required tests completed before going to the new office.. The new office said that I had to pay their fee ($250 but they haven't asked me to pay it yet so I'm thinking I might get a bill). I saw the new doctor twice before surgury, the first was the initial consult and the second was the day before surgery). They required me to see their nutriitionist but I was able to do that via skype since I live in Maryland and their office is in Florida. Overall the experience was pretty easy

[54Shirley 105]

Was not a problem.... I told them that I moved, at would now need a surgeon for fills.

They sent me in to look at the band under Fluoroscope, and filled me to my fill line.

[Puppypaws57 137]

Kinda. My Dr. left the Medical Clinic. They are looking for another surgeon, but his specialty my not be bariatrics.

Until the Medical Center gets another surgeon (they have 3), we have to go see another Dr. He isn't too interested in helping us, since he will only be seeing the other Dr's patients on Monday after 4!

Whatcha gonna do? It the bureaucracy at its finest!

[vonhelzing 3]

My dr was an hour away so i found one alot closer after 2 years. The new office just checked my insurance and i only have ever paid my $10 copay. Never had to pay a new patient fee.

[Patsy 0]

Was banded in 2003, changed band Doctor in 2008, after speaking with the Doctor myself his office requested my medical history for evaulaution, no new patient fees only my co-pay.

[Sandy Cohen 1]

I looked into this because I contemplated moving and my doctor moved farther away - no groups want another doctor's patient and I was told by my doctor the way to get around this is to go through the manufacturer of your device, whether it be lap band brand or realize, etc. they are responsible for making sure you have post op providers and with their referral you can go to another doctor. I discovered this after making upteen calls and finally approached the support staff in my own bariatric groups office. Good luck!

[54Shirley 105]

I just saw a New Surgeon Yesterday. All they wanted was my History and surgical, and post surgical notes. They asked me why i didn't have him do the surgery, and i said i was down state. Oggh that's different. It took time, but they ran the notes past a Dr. and he excepted me.

I met him yesterday, and had a fill.

You have to keep looking, and don't make them think that there's anything wrong with the band, or no one will touch you !

If your just moveing, You'll have to search, but I didn't have a problem.

So been ther, and Good Luck to your search.

Shirley.