so where do I start?

[shumaked 22]

I completed my 6 month NUT visits and just was approved. My surgery date was set for tomorrow Sept 16. I cancelled it! The drs office I was dealing with have been giving me a headache! They would get rude on the phone, not return my calls, or emails and I finally said enough is enough! I don't feel comfortable getting cut open by their dr b/c of their nasty attitudes. The lady I have been dealing with told me my surgery was approved weeks ago. I knew this wasn't true b/c my insurance hadn't sent me anything andnI called and asked them. I called her back and told her this because I didn't want to get stuck with a $20,000 bill! She tells me that she has a reference # and she is not sure why I am calling blah blah blah.. I call my insurance company back and they assured me it HAD NOT been approved.. after calling back and explaining this.. yet again and her getting nasty yet again, I had my insurance company call them. The lady from the insurance company calls me back and explains they only had the overnight stay at the hospital approved, not the surgery! She says the lady even got nasty with her! Another week goes by and finally they have submitted my paperwork.. I was on vacation dealing with this nonsense, trying to enjoy myself, and doing the disgusting pre-op diet. I decided on Tuesday to just cancel the darn surgery and to find a new surgeon. I am so angry and upset because I already had the time scheduled to be off and at my job I am heavily dependent on and it's hard to get time off of work. I was SO close, but like I said earlier I wouldn't have felt comfortable letting this surgeon perform my surgery knowing how his staff is.. this is so hard because my husband is the ONLY one that knows I will be having surgery because my family does not think I should have it. ... this sucks!

[loseitsoon 157]

Everything happens for a reason, you will find someone who will do a great job. Sorry you are having to start over.

[shumaked 22]

Thank you! That's what I keep telling myself.. it just makes the day to day so much harder knowing how hard I worked to get here. I have dealt with this problem long enough and I was so ready to face it and start my new life.. I called a few other surgeons and they all want me to do the orientation.. and I am feeling like blah!! I've already done this...!!

[Miss Mac 6,262]

If in other situations in your life Plan A does not work out, I am sure you make adjustments and go with Plan B. So you hang in there. It sounds like you want this like a kid wants Christmas. Keep racing for the prize. You got knocked off your horse, so get back on the horse or get another horse. You've got the right idea about looking for another surgeon. You may not have your sleeve date, but you still have your dignity.

[shumaked 22]

Thank you MissMac

[Chittick24 52]

Having a doctor and office staff that you trust is beyond important. Not just for the surgery but for all the post op questions. Thank god you cancelled ! can u imagine what would happen if you had complications after surgery? From working in doctors offices and billing co for 17 years the office staff is a reflection of the doctor. If they thought they had authorization and the insurance was giving you bad info they should have done a three way call to clear it up so you could here it.If a doctor lets this type of treatment happen then he is not patient care oriented just financially motivated.

[shumaked 22]

I agree! I feel that I made the right decision. They never once apologized nor did she call me back after I left message saying I was cancelling! I am tempted to go there tomorrow, sign a release and ask for my file so that I can begin my journey elsewhere!

[susantorlone 11]

I agree! I feel that I made the right decision. They never once apologized nor did she call me back after I left message saying I was cancelling! I am tempted to go there tomorrow' date=' sign a release and ask for my file so that I can begin my journey elsewhere![/quote']

If you didn't feel 100000% comfortable with the doctor, then you made the right decision. When the time is right, it will happen. Prayers for you and for continued strength!!

[shumaked 22]

Thank you!!

[Chittick24 52]

Look for another doctor is my vote

[SassySenior 111]

Oh, I can relate. I just cancelled myself 2 days before surgery. In my case, few doctors take my insurance. I did find another one who is very good and does take it, but like you he insists I go to his seminar on Oct. 4th. I'm not sure what I'll do. Some of my hoops I jumped thru will be a year old in Oct.

If I wait much longer, I may have to redo them. I don't want to do that so I'm seriously thinking of going with my original surgeon. In my case, my surgeon is the best around, but he and his P.A. are troublesome.

In your case is everyone in his office nasty or is it just one person? What's the surgeon like? Can you talk to him about this? If it's just one person, then you won't have to deal with her much, if at all, after surgery.

If possible, I would talk to the surgeon even if it means scheduling another visit. See how he reacts to the news.

[shumaked 22]

Sorry to hear you had to cancel. I am still angry! I've been upset all weekend about this crap! Then I couldn't sleep last night b/c today would have been the big day! I'd be omw to the hospital as we speak..Well it's actually 2 ladies.. but the major one is the one I'd have to see EVERY time I go into the office. She takes your weight and etc.. I am just giving up on them because even if I do have another visit with the dr and tell him how I feel, I am afraid of him feeling some type of way b/c these women have worked for him for years. All I can think of is what if something happens to me during surgery.. accident or not I would think it was on purpose. I am washing my hands of the situation. Unfortunately, I asked if I could speak to him and the receptionist told me I'd have to start with the lady with the nasty attitude. Well I've left her 2 messages to call me back and she hasn't! Good luck to you and really think about what you want to do. Don't just go to the "troublesome" dr because it's convenient. Make sure you are comfortable and that's what you want.

[Miss Mac 6,262]

Walk away and don't look back. But, having worked in several medical facilities around the country, I can tell you this; nearly every hospital or clinic is subjected to Press Gainey Reviews and is under the wing of a larger medical group. You could send a letter to the administrator of that group and let them know that you have transferred your medical care elsewhere because of the unprofessional treatment and will be contacting the Medical Records Dept. for copies of your records. Name names......It all comes down to $$$$$$$. The medical group needs to know that this bariatric clinic has lost $$$ from your case, and is probably losing other $$$$ from people who don't speak up. They won't know if you don't make some noise on your way out.

[shumaked 22]

You are so right (again) MissMac.. I will start this today!

[JourneyToLife 119]

Wow, just go with your gut instincts...