Should I Go Back & Ask The Dr, Not His Coordinator? Help!

[campanas 0]

I want to know what u guys would do? Here's what happened:

Last week (after waiting for about 3 wks) i finally had my first dr's appointment. After getting weighed in and giving all my info to the nurse, we (hubby &i) met the dr, he asked lots of questions which i imagine is pretty normal, he looked over my record and started talking to me about how he would proceed with the operation and how glad persons like me are taking preventive measures before its too late. He said he was going to see if my insurance would cover it because my BMI is not over 40 (its 37) and my husband told him that we had already verified & that it wouldn't so that we had the money ready for self pay. He simply said...in that case, we're fine, just go ahead and go with my surgery coordinator when we finish here and start the process for the medical exams that are required. So we finished up and went directly to his receptionist to make an appt with his coordinator...well, just our luck! She could see us right away!!! Only bad thing.....she was in a very bad mood! Anyway, she explained everything that needed to be done before the surgery, gave me papers to sign, even the orders for the tests i needed...then all of a sudden she starts inputting some info in the computer and says to me, "sorry but you are not a candidate for surgery because of your BMI". My husband and I FLIPPED!!!! After ALL the time we had been there she says that! So i told her that because i was self paying for the operation that i thought it would be possible? She said no, and that if i wanted to have the surgery i needed to have other health issues or gain at least 17 or more pounds!!!!!

So basically, i am SUPER confused!!!!! Why would the dr even send me to her in the first place, wouldn't he have just told me right away that i wasn't a candidate?

What would you do? Would you go back and ask to speak with the dr or just let it go? I've been reading the forums and i've seen persons with a lower BMI than me who had the surgery by paying for it...i know i could travel to Mexico but i really want to leave that as my LAST option :S

Any suggestions/info would be VERY appreciated!!!!!!

[mcwestfam 123]

Yes. Please talk to your doctor. He already okayed it and that probably just didn't get communicated to his coordinator. Good luck!!

[DebInAZ 76]

I'm sorry for your troubles, but why wouldn't you go to Mexico? many of the Doctors in the states have literally been instructed on how to do the procedure by Mexican Dr's. I will be going to Mexico for my surgery Oct 22nd with Dr. Ponce and he has done thousands of these vsg surgery's, he is also an instructor and trains many Doctors from Mexico and the USA. Good luck to you!

[bethxxx 304]

I would definatly talk to the doctor, or even see a different one

[JenC 90]

Mexico...Dr. Aceves was my choice even if my insurance would have covered it I would choose him. No contest!

[FindingMyWay 1]

i had the lapband surgery in 2008 and lost 110% of my goal weight. my bmi right now is 23 BUT i the lapband slipped and i need to revise to the sleeve. my surgeon here told me it was okay to do even if i was no longer overweight... he would basically be making my stomach the same size as it is right now with the band. i do have to go to mexico because i'm self pay and i did get questioned a couple of times because of my weight but was approved because its considered "maintenance".

[LouiseC 1,031]

Go to your doctor.

[campanas 0]

Thanks for ur comments...he is giving a semminar tomorrow afternoon, i think i'll approach him after the semminar