Switching surgeons - is it possible?

[BexRNY 3]

Okay - here's the back story: I've gone through my 6 month approval process, jumped through all hoops, and finally got my surgery date (yay!), but over the past 6 months I've developed a general "bad feeling" about my surgical group! (Always an hour+ wait for office visits, poor staff communication, lack of personal attention from surgeon, etc...) I honestly always feel rushed and "blown off" when I'm there, like they're understaffed and carry too many patients. Soooo, obviously this doesn't make me feel super confident going into a major surgery.

My question is...is it possible to switch surgical groups once insurance has approved? Does anyone have experience with this? I don't want to be that cranky patient who demands all their medical records and causes a scene lol - but at the same time, this is my health and safety, and a long term post-op healthcare relationship we're talking about! I would love to have a surgeon who's better at explanation and communication.

Thanks for any insight, friends - I appreciate it!

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[Daniel2015 262]

I have no experience with changing surgeons, but I would share...if you're feeling that way now, imagine how that would translate if there was a medical complication or some unforeseen issue-if they're not making you feel heard now-when you're fully healthy, it would only be worse in the midst of an issue when you're not feeling your personal best.

I do understand how much of a pain this could be but I'd have to think the approval process was about you, and what you needed to do-not dependent upon the surgeon you picked. Those are insurance protocols; regardless of the physician. I'd contact them and see what this switch could entail. I'd also canvass people in your area that had an amazing surgeon. I delayed my procedure until I felt like I found the right match-its a courting process, lol, of sorts-he took time with me, answered every question, I had two pre-op consults because I started thinking sleeve but later switched to RNY. He empowered me to pick the surgery based on his experience and feedback. The way he treated me preoperatively was the same way he treated me all the way though.

Trust your gut!

Daniel

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Edited August 19, 2016 by Daniel2015

[gottadosumthin 19]

I'm in the middle of that now actually. I haven't gotten as far into the process as you, but I felt the same way about the surgeon with my first consultation. Although I'm doing the sleep study through the first surgeon, I'm doing everything else with the second one who took the time with me and didn't rush me in anyway. The second surgeon is willing to take the sleep paperwork bc it was from a bariatric program. You have to go with who you feel comfortable with. I'm scared of getting the surgery; I've been dragging my feet on it for about 10 years. Now, I make sure I'm with an experienced surgeon who takes the time for me. Good luck!!

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[kathykb 4]

I switched surgeons but because the place I was going after my 6 months no longer was a preferred provider. All of my records were sent to another clinic and thank God all I had to do was see the doctors and dietician once before the clinic okay experience my surgery and then it went through easy with the insurance. I had a wonderful case manager through the insurance company that helped me with everything and 3rd time around it still took me a year to get to the surgery August 4th.

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[Sumaire 75]

I had to switch surgeons because of insurance stupidity, recently, and it's currently a bit of a pain, as my previous surgeon is refusing to send any of my records from my time with him (6+ months) to my new surgeon. He even got downright snarky about my request.

Fortunately, I was able to contact the nutritionist I saw earlier this year for her report on our time together, and she emailed it to me this morning.

I only wish I had the name of the psych person to ask for her report. Because I don't, I'll have to do that part all over again.

I wish you the very best in your upcoming surgery, and with a surgeon and staff with whom you are comfortable.

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[DRKExpressions 47]

Yes you can I did! Call your insurance company and have them change the Referal to the new Doctor after you interviewed some. When searching explain to the new prospects you want to just meet him and the staff. Not for consultation but because you thinking of changing surgeons. With all your hard work almost done they will see you for free to try to get you in as a client. If you pick them they will request your records including monthly meeting. The new Dr you decide to use will take care of crossing you over to their company. They will process it with your insurance.

08/1

[DRKExpressions 47]

No by law that report, mental health evaluation is not ethical. Clinton administration privacy act states that mental health is private. That why you don't need a Referal from your PCP main doc for mental health issues. They just have to be in your group coverage. They told me the same and I proved them wrong. I just kept saying put it through finally they did I and I got it. That being said, I got my Referal and asked can I change my provider and they still said yes. I didn't because I liked my new doctor hated the hospital requirements regarding MH. The mental health is primarily requested by the hospital through the dr office.

My only advice when you get evaluated through the Dr office by the social worker, keep it simple, no details, no problems! Keep it like your a good no mental challenged person. I mistaking answers all their question. The took what behavior I had in my teens to twenties and that stopped the process. I also take adderll and have to see a doc monthly to get big mistake being honest. They wanted my psychiatrist to sign off on their procedure. He said she in great shape mentally I am a MD, however I don't know enough about their procedure to sign off on it. That put a halt on everything. I agreed with him too. It their counselor responsibility. It was crazy, other people passed through fast because they said they had no problems. My doc went back and forth with my psychiatrist begging him to sign and he wouldn't regardless that I had no issues. All this be use the hospital required it. I told her make a decision and put the paper work through today with out the psych evaluation or I'm gone. She did it went through she did the surgery.

08/1

[rebelchelz 52]

I also changed surgeons in May because new surgeon was a provider in network. It has taken a little while but they finally resubmitted to insurance this past weem

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