Omaha, Nebraska?

[csquaredmom 8]

I see Winterstein. He's awesome. I'm 5mo post and down 117.

[OMAChiver 44]

14 hours ago, csquaredmom said:

I see Winterstein. He's awesome. I'm 5mo post and down 117.

That's so awesome!!!! Congratulations on your progress!!! What is your goal? Keep up the GREAT work!!!

[Kari1985 70]

8 months post op today and only 4oz away from 100 pounds lost! Its so crazy to think I have lost 100 pounds (close enough :-) ) in 8 months! 8 more pounds to go until my "goal", at which time I will re-evaluate.

Question to those of you who saw Dr. Cronk. Will you be moving to a different surgeon for your follow ups, or are you going to see NP Ali?

[csquaredmom 8]

That's so awesome!!!! Congratulations on your progress!!! What is your goal? Keep up the GREAT work!!!

Goal is about another 45 lbs.

[OMAChiver 44]

2 hours ago, csquaredmom said:

Goal is about another 45 lbs.

Wonderful!!! So close to your goal!!!

[csquaredmom 8]

8 months post op today and only 4oz away from 100 pounds lost! Its so crazy to think I have lost 100 pounds (close enough :-) ) in 8 months! 8 more pounds to go until my "goal", at which time I will re-evaluate.
Question to those of you who saw Dr. Cronk. Will you be moving to a different surgeon for your follow ups, or are you going to see NP Ali?

Awesome job!

I moved to Winterstein to do the surgery right when it was all changing from Dr Cronk.

100 lbs is a LOT! Go to the dog food isle and pick up the bags whenever you want to be reminded how awesome you are! That's what I do!

[APNurseOmaha 0]

Hello everyone! I am a fellow Omaha Native. I have my PFT's tomorrow and am waiting to hear from Nebraska Medicaid for approval for the laparoscopic Roux en Y with Dr. Winterstein at Methodist Hospital. I have only met with Dr. Winterstein and his NP one time. I know that there have been a lot of changes made in their office, because Dr. Cronk and Dr. Anthone do not practice there anymore. I am wondering if anybody had to deal with the office staff, insurance coordinator, nurse, etc. at the Methodist Bariatric Surgery office in the last couple months? I have received such poor patient care from them. They are extremely rude to me. The director damn near yells at me when I ask questions, and I dread even calling them at this point in time. I have shed multiple tears while on the phone or after hanging up the phone with their staff. It is really upsetting, knowing there are other surgeons in Omaha, who's office staff would not be so god awful. I strictly went to Methodist because my dad had the duodenal switch done with Dr. Anthone in 2009 and received great care. This has been a total nightmare, and I have honestly done a lot of the footwork myself when it comes to insurance requirements. After being reviewed by "committee" about how long did you have to wait for a surgery date? Was the office staff rude to you? I would appreciate any feedback whatsoever that has anything to do with the office staff at Methodist in Omaha, or Dr. Winterstein. I am curious if everything takes this long at other facilities. Also, if anybody has had issues with Nebraska Total Care or Nebraska Medicaid approving or denying their surgeries if all of the qualifications were met. I am eager to hear from you all!

[Jazzzyjay 222]

Hi I am also in Omaha Ne. Have you thought of switching your care to Nebraska Medicine? The staff there are excellent. Dr. McBride did my surgery Jan 18. The whole experience from start to finish was outstanding. At the time I had Medicaid. I did 6 months of supervised diet and then my surgery. I had the gastric bypass. When my surgery was first submitted to Medicaid it was denied. Dr McBride did a peer to peer with the insurance company and they overturned it the next day! I was scheduled and in surgery two weeks later.

Edited August 15, 2017 by Jazzzyjay

[APNurseOmaha 0]

I would definitely consider switching if it wasn't so late in the game. I have already submitted everything! If you don't mind me asking, did you have co-morbid conditions? They had me do a lot more than just the 6 months of supervised weight loss. I wish more than anything I could switch. I have never witnessed such awful patient care. I feel like the office staff if legitimately bullying me.

[Gbencker 1]

Hi In Omaha, NE as well. I am going through the process with UNMC. I meet with my surgeon next Monday. Ready to start the journey.

[Jazzzyjay 222]

I'm so sorry you are being treated like that, it's not okay. Yes, I had a uncontrollable high blood pressure. Maybe just call the bariatric clinic at the med center and see if they have any suggestions for you. It really sucks that professionals think they can treat you that way.

One of the nurses that cared for me after my surgery actually referred me for a job and I started working at Nebraska Medicine in March after my surgery. So I guess I'm kind of partial. But it a wonderful hospital and I've only ever encountered the best of the best there!

Wishing you lots of luck. And if you have any questions at all don't be shy 😉

[Jazzzyjay 222]

I had Dr McBride and did a two day liquid diet before surgery. It was because my BMI was already almost too low she did not want me to loose anymore weight before surgery.

[Kari1985 70]

I'm so sorry you are having such a hard time with the office and staff. This is such an emotional journey, you shouldn't have to dread talking to them or going to them for help! I had my sleeve about 2 months before Dr. Cronk stopped doing surgeries. I loved Dr. Cronk and had the upmost faith in his abilities and fully trusted him and his guidance. I've had great success. The only issue I had with his office was the nutritionists. They were both somewhat rude, always disorganized and not all that helpful.

Typically the office only makes you do the supervised diet that is outlined by your insurance company. So it's likely your insurance is requiring more. I had to do 6 months and 3 nutrition visits prior to approval.

If you are that unhappy I would suggest moving to a different practice. Do you do monthly weigh ins and progress with your primary care doc? If so that is all documented and your new surgeon will have access to it just the same. You shouldn't have to start back from day 1. I beleive Dr. Anthone is still performing bariatric surgery here in Omaha, just at a private practice.

[APNurseOmaha 0]

Congratulations on starting your journey! It is a long one, but hopefully it will be worth it! For all of us! I think I may contact UNMC today to see if I can get an appointment with them. Hopefully everything would transfer. The only thing I do not think would maybe transfer since it was done in their office is the H. Pylori test and the Nutritional Consultation. Also, I am nervous that their office is going to see this? It pops up on google when I type in "Nebraska Total Care denying bariatric surgery." Any suggestions?

Thank you Kari1985! I wish the other surgeons were still practicing at that office. It is evident that there is a whole lot of drama because they aren't. Its very annoying and they shouldn't take patients until they have it all squared away!

Edited August 16, 2017 by APNurseOmaha

[APNurseOmaha 0]

I got a call that the insurance has approved it and my PFT's are done! Now I have to wait until the 31st to have everything reviewed by their "committee." She said I should have a date set in place by September 1st. Yay, finally getting somewhere. Hurry up August!