Question:
I live in virginia and am on a wait list to see a surgeon.
I am on a wait list to see a surgeon and have been told it is a wait of at least 8 to 10 months. Is this a long time or is it the usual because of the people waiting for this surgery just like me? I am scared of this long of a wait. With my health problems and being this much overweight, suppose I wait all this time and then have problems with being approved with my insurance? thank you for any help you can give me — taterbug898 (posted on March 18, 2004)
March 18, 2004
have you tried dr. annez or dr. halmi they saw pretty quickly they work out
of fair oaks hosp.
— carola H.
March 18, 2004
If your insurance will allow it, call around to other doctors. I live in
Danville. I called UVA (closer to me) and was told the same thing. I
called MCV and got an apt for a couple of months later. I think there are
several docs in Roanoke who also do the surgery. Good luck!
— Linda S.
March 18, 2004
If you are willing to travel to the DC area, there is a remarkable surgeon
in Arlington, VA. Dr Elariny is the best in my opinion (of course I am
biased). Office number is
703-465-5060. Good luck to you!!!
— tamster513
March 19, 2004
Melinda, try Dr. Halmi in woodbridge VA. He is fabulous. I am 9 weeks out
down 38 lbs and have a tiny 3 inch scar. They have a web page you can
visit at www.obesitysurgerycenter.net
It can tell you about everyone. The staff is great, the hospitals 2 of
them are great. He is a wonderful and caring man.
Good Luck and keep us posted.
Ann R.
Stafford VA
— Ann M.
March 19, 2004
Melinda, I know the wait is agonizing. I waited about a year and a half
myself, but that was because the first doctor whose wait list I was on quit
doing it right when my number came up! I too suffered from several
comorbidities and had the same concern you did. The fact is, that you just
have to take care of yourself the best you can while waiting. If any other
problems do pop up, chances are, they'll be in your favor for insurance
approval. But the psychological part of waiting was the worst for me.I
wanted to just get over the hump and get on with my life, which at the time
was pretty hopeless. I was hanging all my hopes on getting that call for a
surgery date. Every single day. Your time will come, and while I really
think the other posters on this subject are right and very kind to
recommend other good doctors who might be able to get you in sooner (and I
can too-Dr. Clark in Newport News) please try to keep in mind that the
waiting time is not necessarily the most important thing. Your time WILL
come, and when it does, within a few months, you might, like me, even have
trouble remembering all the agony of that wait (and weight!) But for now,
the most important thing is to put yourself in the best hands you can get
for the job, and whoever makes you most comfortable with this big
undertaking. I certainly would check out other doctors, but remember that a
few more months wait might be worth it!
— christied
March 19, 2004
You could make the trip to Richmond I had my surgery at St. Mary's with Dr.
Martin from Commonwealth Surgeons http://www.commonwealthsurgeons.com/ ,
MCV also does WLS. The whole process takes about 3 months for
Commonwealth Surgeons.
— Patricia T.
March 21, 2004
Dr. Hutcher with Commonwealth surgeons in Richmond is excellent. He's been
doing this for over 20 years and while he only does open, he will remove
your gallbladder and only leaves about a three inch incision. He also
performs an extra technique to help prevent the stoma from restretching as
he has been doing this for so long that he's been able to almost
"perfect" the technique. Well, the best that he
can...anyway...I'm a little biased too as you can tell but the whole
process only took me about three months as well. Best of luck to you.
Their phone number is 804-285-3225
Denise
280/150/143 and counting
— denisel
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