Banded in DFW Metroplex area, some issues

[twyladawn 0]

I live in Flower Mound area. Used Dr. Marsden, he's a great doc. However, Marsden referred me to AIGB (American Institute of Gastric Banding) in Richardson for the processing and followup. It took me over a year and a half to finally get this going and I had to go thru 2 totally different approval processes due to the incompetence and foot-dragging from the AIGB office in Richardson. :tt2: They goofed around and strung me along for so long my insurance changed mid-stream, so I had to to thru 2 separate insurance processes -- Cigna, and Aetna. Then once I FINALLY got the surgery, June 9th, (when AIGB got the go ahead to schedule the surgery in early March!!!) I could never get them to get an appointment set up to do my fills. They never even ordered my records from Dr. Marsden -- even after I called them multiple times over the course of several weeks to check and nag. :scared2: My insurance is supposed to pay for my fills, but I simply cannot get AIGB in Richardson to get my records, or get me an appointment set, so I am having to pay $150.00 per visit for my fills to the Surgicenter in Hurst. They tell me it can take up to 6 fills to get it right. I've had two fills, and so far, I'm just as hungry as ever. The only difference I can tell is that foods often "hang up" about halfway down my esophagus and I have to cough them up. Esp chicken. I have an appointment for another fill at Hurst SurgiCenter in Sept. Therefore, due to the incompetence and unresponsiveness of the AIGB office in Richardson TX, I am going to have to pay about $900 out of pocket for my fills, which should have been covered by my insurance. :confused:I have called Dr. Marsden's office repeatedly. They can't help. All they can tell me is to use the Hurst SurgiCenter if I want my fills done in a timely manner. I have called AIGB Richardson repeatedly and can't get ANY movement from them on their part of the responsibility. :mad: I had my surgery on June 9, and I have lost TWO POUNDS. All this, when I began the whole process in February of 2006! (THANK YOU, AIGB Richardson, thank you so much!!) I am really, really disappointed with this whole process. I have totally lost my excitement about it, and am even doubting I will ever loose any weight, at this point. :eek: What I want to know is --- has anyone else encountered similar issues with AIGB Richardson, and if so, how did you overcome it? Or were you able to overcome it? It seems to me that since AIGB Richardson figures they have the "corner" on the market in this area, they find it OK to treat patients any old way they please and refuse to do anything that seems like ordinary customer service!!!:biggrin: To me, that is inexcusable!! :) And - I also feel like Dr. Marsden's office ought to make an issue of this incompetence to try to help out their numerous patients who are experiencing the same dilemma with their fills (from what I hear) I will wait for responses. thanks

[losingjusme 12]

sorry you are having so many issues. i, too, had my surgery by Dr. Marsden, but i get my fills in Hurst.

have you contacted the business manager for the Richardson office? IMO, what you are going through is totally uncalled for and needs to be addressed.

best of luck to you.

[sweetpea0202 0]

I'm sorry that you are going through soo much trouble with AIGB. I've worked with them through my whole process and have never had any issues. I would most definitely ask to speak to a manager there to get your issues resolved.