"Monday, October 12, 2001
Heard from Human Resources today that the company might be changing insurance companies December 1. I had been in the process of getting insurance approval for RNY with Dr. Henry Horrilleno in Dallas since August 25. As of today, my letter of medical necessity has not been submitted to the insurance company and was told that there was no way that Dr. H could do the surgery in November.
I knew from past investigations that there was no other hope for a quick approval and surgery in Dallas. The doctors are just too backed up. So I started looking elsewhere.
My search led me to Dr. Kenneth Warnock in Wichita Falls, TX. I read very good things about Dr. Warnock on this site and I have dear friends in Witchita Falls. My friends confirmed what I had read here - he is an excellent surgeon and a wonderful human being.
When I called his office today, I spoke with the receptionist - everyone else is on vacation. I told her my problem and she set a consultation date for me - October 30 and told me she would have Debbie, who schedules the surgeries, call me the next day.
Tuesday, October 13, 2001
Debbie called from Dr. Warnock's office this afternoon. She offered me November 28 for my surgery. And then she apologized because it couldn't be sooner, but with the holidays and having to wait for the insurance approval that was the best she could do. I am thrilled. I talked with the insurance company several weeks ago while waiting for Dr. Horrilleno to submit my letter and found that they will pay 100% of the surgery expenses. All they require is that I be at least 100 pounds overweight (and believe me, I am). They need height, weight, BMI and blood pressure to make a decision - and the decision is usually made within 48 hours to one week. So - if all goes well with Dr. Warnock, I am on my way. I will post more here after actually meeting him.
November 7, 2001
I met with Dr. Warnock October 30 and was very impressed with him. He is a kind, compassionate human being who shows extreme concern for his patients and their families. The first thing he asked me was why on earth I would go to Wichita Falls from Dallas for surgery. Next he questioned me enough to know that I had done a lot of research on this surgery and had extensive knowledge of the benefits, my part in making it work, and of course, the risks. He certainly didn't downplay the risks - wanted to be sure that my family and I know what we are getting into.
At the end of our visit, he told Debbie to talk with me about scheduling because he was convinced that I knew as much about the surgery as he did (ha ha ha). I have my date for surgery - November 29 - two days before my insurance deadline.
December 12, 2001
My surgery was November 29 and was totally complication free. I was released from the hospital December 4. Dr. Warnock was wonderful. I attribute my successful surgery to his expertise, but far more than the mechanical skill, this surgeon is so kind and compassionate. Never at any time did he make me feel that being morbidly obese was anything more than a medical condition. He is so sweet and caring. I was really surprised the day I left the hospital when Dr. Warnock hugged me."
