need some info and help

I am new here, so hello to everyone! I started the process to have lap band in September. I submitted my paperwork and had my consultation at Georgetown Bariatric on Nov 21. I received the approval letter from my insurance today. I faxed it to Catherine at Georgetown and she said that someone would be giving me a call for a pre-op appointment. What is that? I'm really discouraged. Georgetown has not contacted me one time during this process, it's always been me contacting them and I get one line responses. The responses I receive just seem to be putting me off. Can anyone help? Thank you very very much.

Melissa, I know the process can be very hectic but please try to be patient with them. I also had my surgery at Georgetown and trust me they have sooooooooo many people that go to them they are always busy. I was a self paid patient and still had to wait awhile for my surgery so I know that with you having to wait on insurance and so forth it will take a little while. But once the ball gets rolling it should go pretty quick. I believe the pre-op appointment is where you will see the physical therapist, internalist, ect. Don't quote me on that but I think that is right. Good luck and hang in there. Mini-Me

Hang in there it gets better. Your pre-op is to see a psych, someone about nutrition, and a movie. Then you get an appoinment with your doctor and it moves faster. I started this Nov1st my appionment with the doctor is March 16. Good luck.

Hi Melissa: I am replying on behalf of Catherine Birdwhistell, your insurance coordinator, as I am on the phone with her at this time. She doesn't have Internet access at home at this time to promptly reply to your concerns. Catherine did have this to say: "Melissa , I am sorry we failed to meet your expectations with our program." "I will contact you tomorrow regarding your process". "Again, my apologies and you may contact me directly at any time, per the contact information sheet you were given in the Monday or Wednesday consult class. In the event you no longer have that information sheet, my contact information is as follows": Catherine Birdwhsitell Email: [email protected] Office: Toll free- 1.888.868.0008 "Kind Regards", Catherine Birdwhistell via Cathi Roskind, RN The Bariatric Center at Georgetown

Catherine is also my insurance person at G-town and she has been great helping me. She and I have bben fighting since the last of may in '06 to get my surgery approved. My insurance is dragging it's feet and everytime I hink I have done everything that they have asked they add another thing to their list. As of today I am still not approved and we are still submitting info. Who knows if I'll ever be approved!!