getting there???

Hi Lavonne I have Medicaid my husbands work doesn't have insurance we can afford. I had to pay out of pocket the surgeons fee. The rest was covered the hospital and all that. I had a terrible time at u of c and I think the main reason was because my insurance. I was there over 8 months and they told me I had 40 more people ahead of me. Now when I went to the informational session they told me 6 months till surgery so I hope you can see where I would be mad. I put 8 months in and the rate they take Medicaid is 4 a month per Dr so I had from 5-10 more months till I got to see the surgeon. I felt that was wrong and misleading. I did feel I was pressured to get the ds and I was really thinking about it as well. I was not the only one there were many on remedy who felt the same way. I was only giving my side of what U of C was like because you had asked for any people who had them. I still think they are competent. I also think U of C is a fantastic teaching hospital it just was not a fit for me! I am very happy with my choice even though it came out of pocket. My surgeon is the best in the state and is known as one of the best in the country. He made some of the tools they use for laproscoptic surgery and he is a miracle worker. He did a surgery on a girl name Ashley (she was the day after me) who had a very big BMI and no one else would take her because she was 17 and he did it for free!  I really do wish you nothing but a speedy recovery and the road to the best health we can be in!  I am sorry if my last post came off bad I am a terrible expresser of words on the computer :)

Dr. Frantzides doesn't take insurance assisgnments, at least he didn't when I saw him. U of C doesn't try to talk ANYONE into having the DS done, its on a case by case basis. Also, I think you're mistaken, most of the people who "dump" have the RNY, not the DS. Tell me, which nerve keeps you from dumping? I've seen both the Dr.'s at U of C, and Dr. Frantzides. Dr. Frantzides has a very good bedside manner, but I'm always leary of Dr's who won't take insurance. Also his reason for not taking insurance sounded fishy to me.

Dr Frantzides does take insurance he does not take Medicaid. I don't know what nerve is preserved because I am not a Dr but I do not dump at all on sweets because of it. I also want to say I went to u of C and yes they do try to talk you into Ds and It was not just me I also went to the informational session and they spent way more time talking about the Ds and why it is a better surgery. I never said DS makes you dump I am sorry you took it that way I said Ds is no dumping where RNY you do. I went to U of C for over 8 months and was on Remedy .com where they had you sign up and there were others. Once again this was my feeling about U of C Based on my experience!!! Now you may have had a better experience but that is yours. I wish everyone no matter who they go to wonderful success because that is the main goal.  You ask his other patients about not dumping and they will tell you the same!!

HELO QUEENA, I APPRECIATE YOUR POST.I'D LOVE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE W/ UIC.

I have nothing but good things to say about U of C. I grew up right down the street from the hospital, so I was there a lot as a child. In fact, I had to go there this morning for a upper Gi (ugh). Dr. Alverdy is one of the best wl surgeons here in the Chicagoland. They also accept a wide range of ins. including Medicare, and Medicaid. I would contact Dr. Alverdy, or Dr. Pranchard (sp) and ask about an apt. For me personally, I don't think I could be in better hands. Deelight, i hear they have information sessions, and each one covers a different procudure. I think you attended the DS one. Dr. F won't take Medicare either, and from what he told me, I had to pay out of pocket 1st, then he would try to get insurance approval. That struck me as fishy, ymmv. I do think he's a nice person, and his bedside manner was very good. :)