What to do now that Barix is closed

hello all. I usually post on the singles site but I just found out that Barix in Illinois is closing and I too was going to have my surgery there with Dr. Boe. I am freaking out!! My insurance makes me wait 6 months before they will approve and that was going to be next month. Anyone have any suggestions. I too was devasted when I heard the news!! Any help would be appreciated???

I was told by Barix that I could search on my own with my insurance company or have surgery at one of their other clinics but I refuse to go miles away out of state. I have an appointment with Dr. Rosen next week. There are other surgeons in my insurance plan that I am keeping in mind as well. I used this website for research and then checked the other physicians in my plan. I already have an insurance approval. I sobbed when I was told they were closing. It's such an emotional process and I felt blindsided. I never would have thought of that happening especially so close to having the surgery. Good Luck

I hear you. I sobbed too!! I also scheduled with Dr Rosen in two weeks!! Good luck to you too

Amanda, welcome to the IL board. My thoughts are for you to continue with your 6 month pre op diet so you do not have to do it over. Make sure that you do not have any lapse in it so they can approve you in the end. You will just have to change doctors with your insurance. All insurance companies are different so I am not sure how they will handle that. But, many people do change doctors so I am sure that it has been encountered in the past. I am sorry that you now have to build another relationship with a new doctor because I understand all that is behind that especially for an obese person, myself included I hated doing that. I am going to suggest Dr Rosen or his partner Dr Iwanicki in Downers Grove as a new bariatric practice for you to go to. This is all that this practice does is bariatrics. Both of these doctors have a fantastic bedside manner. Dr Rosen has a great sense of humor. Both are well versed in WLS. I cannot say enough about how knowledgeable both are with WLS. I feel very comfortable going to either of them with ANY question about my PO life. I only met Dr Iwanicki once and this was last year at my 3 yr apt. He was very down to earth, easy to talk to and completely put me at ease. These doctors were with WISH here in IL before it closed its doors back in October of '06. I know almost all of the emotions that you are going through right now because I went through this late last year with WISH closing. Their number is 630 261 9393. There is a real caring staff there waiting to take your call and welcome you aboard. Here is their web site www.lifeweighbariatrics.com They also have an ad in the lower left hand corner of the IL board page. Check back with us on the board if you need anymore help or have more questions. Chris Bennett

ITs such a mess!! I did not have approval yet from insurance so it should not matter that I switched surgeons since i still have the same primary doctor. i just need to get time off work again to go see dr rosen for the 3 hours appt!! yikes!! thanks for the support

Yes, it will be a bump in the road, but I can tell you that Dr. Rosen is worth it. Don't let a "bump" stop your journey! jeannine

call U of W in Madison wi. After spending weeks working with Barix clinic in Belvidere I found out they would not accept my insurance. U of W did and got things swtich over very quickly without any problems. If intrested call DeAnne Day at 608) 263-1036 at the U of W baratric clinic. greg

I have to second what Greg says.......UW Madison is THE BEST. Drs. Garren & Gould really care about your health......not your checkbook! I do not know where you are located, but it is about an hour and half drive for me and worth every minute (and penny in gas too!) I have had no complications and feel great! Good luck to you! Dawn

I had my surgery with Dr. Frantzides. He does exclusively laparoscopic surgery and he has been a pioneer in the development of the roux-en-y gastric bypass. He does all kinds of laparoscopic bariatric surgery. After my friend saw how well I did, she had a revision of her VBG that was in Indiana many years ago. He did it laparoscopically and she starting losing weight again. It is amazing how wonderful we both feel!! Dr. F and his staff are the best and they do everything they can to make it an easy process. He more has more testimonials than anyone in the american midwest on obesity help and they are well-deserved.

Hi Amanda, I'm sorry that you had to go through so a terrible experience. It is so wrong how the practice just left you stranded. The good news is that you can try Dr. Frantzides now! He did my surgery a year ago and I am so thankful that I called his office. I went to another surgeon first and was going to have open RNY, but I felt kind of weird about being cut open so I researched doctors on OH and saw that Dr. F had the most testimonials in IL. Now I know why! He doesn't do any open surgery and explained to me lap surgery is the only way to go. I was walking 2 hours after surgery. No ICU or anything! I still can't believe how fantastic I feel and I owe it all to Dr. F. You should definitely give his office a call. Good luck! Ms. ABC