Should I change Doctors

ladysplenda · September 20, 2005

Well I got approved. But I also found out my doctor is going out of network after the first of the year. I am still trying to get my daughter approved. She turns 18 Dec 24th. I have to drive 200 miles to get the surgery done. But I can get my fills at his office 60 Miles aways.

I found another doctor 110 miles away with free fills for the next year. In network. But he has only done 60 lapbands.

What to do.

ladysplenda

sunnykim · September 20, 2005

Congrats on the approval!!!! i was jumping with joy when i was approved..... Now the doc has only done 60 operations but he cant be a dummy ... have faith and good luck...

Kim

thinkthin · September 21, 2005

Good for you on the approval! Its so exciting and scary at the same time!

I would say: have the best doctor you can find do the surgery - that's the biggest part with the greatest risk. I am sure sorry you have such slim-pickin's wherever you live. I have really appreciated the competence of my bariatric surgeon and his group. If the doctor you have now is in-net and you can do the surgery before the end of the year, I would have him do it and do follow-up fills, etc., with someone else, since that's a little more straight-forward. In the event of a serious problem, you can always go back to your original surgeon for help even though he's out of net. Do you have out-of-net benefits?

I think that having confidence in your surgeon is so important, and there is a long-haul of working with someone. I do understand the financial limits, so do what makes the most sense, but don't disregard your own comfort level with the doctor or his office, etc.

Good Luck!!!!

La_madam · September 21, 2005

What about using the doctor you had originally were going to use then use the dr. wich is in network after surgery. Use the more experienced doctorfor the surgery but use the other doctor for fills and aftercare.