Finally Got to Meet the Surgeon!!! Dr. Allen

Can't beleive I started this whole journey in January.. It's now June and Yesterday I finally got to meet the surgeon!!! I'm still on the fence.... I was alittle taken back cause they had a nurse practicioner come in and talk to me and ask for my questions.. Well when Dr. Allen came in I kinda felt cheated cause I had asked her everything and she stayed in the room, so I didn't want to ask them all again.. so it was kinda short and thats it..Nothing like waiting months to meet him, ..ugh... The downfall is I still have to have a few tests done..ie: stress test, Pulmonary Test,  Even if My insurance was ready to go AT THAT MOMENT he's booked for surgeries until Sept. WOW.. so I probably have another month before all those other tests get done..THEN they will submit ALL my info together  to the insurance..THEN i have to wait for apporval... so by the time this is all said and done I feel like it's going to be a YEAR in process!!!! So thats alittle ( ok, well ALOT) frustrating for me. So I'm still kinda sorting my feelings and trying to figure out how I feel.. Not to mention I've allready paid out  of pocket over $500 bucks... for the Bariactric Center and Dr. Allens office...  Anyways... just thought  I'd share!!! SAndi

Sandi, it's ok to vent a little bit- I understand your frustration.  My PCP reccomended that I go to Dr. Allen and while I did have some "moments" that I was discouraged and frustrated with some of the people in his office, I have always been very confident in his experience and expertise.  There's a reason for Dr. Allen being booked up until September- he's very well thought of and does a great job.  Try to hang in there.  A lot of people experience hold-ups and delays no matter who they go to.  The whole process for me, from information seminar to surgery was a year.                                                                             If you want to e-mail me, feel free to do so.  Hope the waiting time goes quickly for you!

Sandi....I completely understand how you feel. The good thing is..with Dr Allen, he wants you to be sure of your decision and will spend as much time with you as needed and does not care if you ask the same questions over nad over again. Even if his nurse was in there...I would still ask. I feel better hearing things from him than anyone. He is the one doing the surgery and has the MD after his name for a reason. I like the staff there, but sometimes I just need to hear it from him. He was great during my band revision. My boyfriend could not believe how nice and patient he was with the questions. Do not give up hope..good things are worth the wait. Besides, the time will actually go quicker since you will be busy with tests. I know it seemed like the last few weeks flew!  I hope you will try to make it to the get together this weekend! I would really love to meet ya!

What took so long did you have insurance requirements or something? I am just wondering because I am about to get started at Nortons as well and just wondering what to expect.

Nothing imparticular took long.. I went to my first seminar in Jan.. got the paper work... took a WHILE to get into the Bariatric program at nortons, then took a while to actually get the appt w. Dr. Allen.. it's jumping through hoops!@!!! constantly! good luck