BARIX info

I called Barix this AM as I just heard about this last night. I am very upset and feel abandoned. I was promised that I would have my follow up for lifetime and now I don't. My support group is gone. along with the many wonderful people I met through there. I also have had health issues - 4 bowel obstructions and when I saw Dr. Boe for my 4 year follow up he said to come directly to him if I experienced any pain so he could check it out. They are referring to Dr Rosen in Downers Grove and someone in Peoria for follow up. What you need to do, Contact Barix ASAP and get full and complete copies of all of your medical records. If you are due for any follow up get in there asap. they said Dr. Boe will be in the office for a couple more months. Barix is closing bcause they have too few patients. i think it probably started when they had the conflict w/ BCBS and did not renew their contract several years ago. When I had my surgery they were doing 40 surgeries a week, 4 surgeons working there. then the BCBS thing happened and business really dropped off. then when they settled with BCBS it never grew again. Dr. Schlessinger moved to AZ to open a new hospital. then Dr. Berkowitz retired and neither was ever replaced. Dr. Vaughn moved on to a new job. that left Dr Boe alone there, and most likely 1 Dr. can't generate enough revenue to keep the place going. I'd like to know why Barix didnt get in some more Drs and do some advertising. Poor business management. The brand new AZ hospital also closed down after only a short time. Maybe they tried to expand too fast. I don't know, it is all speculation on my part. I left a message for Barb who was the support group leader, and hopefully she will call me back and we can get a group going so we don't lose that support. If anyone else wants to participate or help let me know. I am so upset, I have been crying.

Val, (((((cyber hugs))))). I can totally understand what you are going through because when WISH closed up shop I had very similar feelings. A lot of the baratric doctors whether they were with a group of baratric centers like Barix or WISH had problems with the better majority of the insurance companies. Insurance co. were and still are making it so tough for patients to get approved and it slid downhill to the clinics not being able to do as many surgeries. There are also more and more surgeons doing bariatric surgery that there are more docs to choose from. The all over number of surgeries are still up there, there just are more doctors doing it now. If you choose to switch over to Dr Rosen you will not be sorry. I know that it is a hike for you from where you live. But, you think about it and if you want anymore questions answered or you want to cry on my shoulder it is there for you. Chris

I'm so confused... I loved Dr. Vaughn, when did all of this happen? I am not even a year out and still have reconstructive surgery that needs done in a few more months... Do you have any more information?

Dr. vaughn left a while ago. If I were you I would contact barix, get copies of your records, and determine who to follow up with. If you need reconstructives email me and i will give you some names

I know what you mean. I cried for 3 hours after I found out. I did have my surgery yet but was upset. I did meet with Dr Rosen and was very impressed!!! I am going to have my do my surgery!!

I just heard on the local news that Barix just closed a malpractice case for $1million dollars with a client's family. Dr. Burkowitz was named in the lawsuit and a nurse. I am having my 3 year post op visit next month and am not sure what to do then. I hate the idea of having to start over with a new doctor but we will see what happens. Dr. Boe is moving to PA. When you call they will give you a list of things that you will need a doctor to check for in your bloodwork if you want to have your regular doc draw the blood. Nic