"When I first met Dr. Rink, my husband and I waited for 2 hours after our schedule apt as the Dr. had to preform in office surgery to another patient who was about to loose their finger. After the intial anger wore off for having to wait so long, I was very impressed that she and her staff were very apologict for our long wait.
One thing I might add, that prior to getting an apt with Dr. Rink the patient has to read the book "Weight Loss Surgery. Finding the Thin Person Inside You" by Barbara Thompson. Which, I might add, answered a plethera of questions for me and my husband.
We met with the Dr. and she explained that she will accept patients with insurance and those who's insurance will not pay for the procedure. Because I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, it is a given they will not cover this type of surgery. She then went on to say that she has made arrangements with the hospital. Therefore the total bill comes to $3500 for her fee and approx $28,000 for the hospital fees, barring additional stay in the hospital or any other tests. She told us right off that BCBS of Kansas has denied any letters for the request for surgery and has to date not had a patient win the appeal process with the insuranc company.
She went through the process (Open RNY) and the complications that can arrise from the surgery. She was very through in her exam and her explaination of her expectations on what the surgery could do for me. She was very adiment in attending her Weight Loss surgery information and support group that she holds every month as well as participation in her very strict aftercare program. She also explained the medications that I would be taking for the rest of my life and the "lifestyle" changes that me and my family would have to surcomb to. I was very impressed by her and her staff and would recommend her to patients in a new york second. I feel that her surgical competence and her bedside mannor are both of the upmost professional standards. I feel she takes great pride in her work as do her staff. "
