MMPC People - What is next??

I haven't followed the normal route to surgery since I have BCBS and my BMI is >50.  I didn't need some things.  I had the physical, met w/ Dr Baker, met with the behaviorist & saw dietitian.  Dr Gowel only requested that I have 1 dietitian visit and a sleep study. The sleep study is next Tues.  After seeing the dietitian this morning I asked what I needed to do and said I don't know what is next.  The girl at the counter said that someone in back (maybe a coordinator?) will call me and that the rule of thumb is wait for them to call me. I was kind of unnerved by this.  I should  be able to ask what is next and get an answer....not a don't call us, we'll call you. So - does anyone know what might be next?   Will they set a surgery date before having the sleep study?   How long should I give them before "forgetting" to wait for their call and call them?   Are they prompt and should I just chill?? TIA Gwen

In the packet of information they gave you, there is a schedule of events leading up to your surgery scheduling. My BMI was over 50, but because I had existing medical conditions and was on Medicare, my whole process went relatively quickly. Saw Dr. Kemmeter for first visit at the end of May, and had my surgery on Aug. 17th. They usually say 2-3 months. You will need to have completed the sleep study first before they schedule anything else.
Don't be afraid to "bug" them......I found out by calling every week or so, I finally got my date.

Good luck - I have been very pleased with MMPC - they are all a great group of caring people.....and my surgeon told me that is a requirement to have a job there!

Pat R.

Thanks Pat. They seem to be nice...busy, but nice.  (The desk person wasn't being rude at all.) The packet route hasn't quite applied to me too much - and I am not sure WHAT all applies to me because of kind of going in the back door.  I asked Dr Baker if I had everything right up to last Wed and he said yes, but I forgot to ask what else I need to do or what needs to be done.  He saw that I was supposed to see the dietitian and have a sleep study and didn't seem happy that they weren't scheduled at that point.  He told me to have the front desk do it.  When I brought it up while checking out, I was told that his assistant or someone else does it.  So, I called two days later and was put into that person's voice mail.  She called the next day. I wanted to make sure I did all I could.  I don't want to miss anything....and it has seemed too easy thus far.

Hi Gwen, I know it may not feel like it, but you are moving forward. There are many different people in an office that schedule different things so, believe me,they do and will get stuff scheduled and they will call. If you don't hear back by the first of the week, then you can call back and ask to speak to the scheduler(for your sleep study appt.Once they have that information, they should schedule your surgery. I don't know BCBS procedures, but I believe that many surgeries get covered by insurances with listed comorbidities that can be proven by things such as a sleep study(sleep apnea). Pretty soon everything will start to move ahead quickly, You will get your date, your two week food and nutritional meeting where they explain your two week food plan and the food for after surgery and then plan your final visit prior to surgery.. Time will fly.. .. Wiggly

Thanks Wiggly I just don't know where I'm at.  Beginning, middle, final approach.  I keep waiting to be told I need something else completed and to go to another line. I deal with physician's offices all the time  (DS sees 10 specialists) and all of them work differently.  Some schedule the appointment and call, others have you call, others tell you they'll call and don't.  For those appointments I live by my planner and if I don't hear from them I call.  But if MMPC will really call, I'll give them time.  I am not as anxious to be on the surgery schedule as I was.  I have a lot to learn with getting the right food and changing my eating habits.  I just don't want to go backward. Thanks again!

Hi Gwen!!! It sounds like things are moving right along.  I know the sleep study results have to be in before scheduling.  If you have apnea, you may need to get fitted for a CPAP or BIPAP before they will do surgery.  The anesthesiologist will want to make sure that you are safe during surgery and if you have breathing problems she/he will need to know about them. Now--as for "not knowing" what's next.  I know 1st hand that you shouldn't be afraid to ask any question.  I have looked the front desk girls right in the eye there and, nicely, said:  " You ladies need to understand that as patients, we rely on you to give us accurate information"  I was VERY nice about it but just stated how I felt.  Someone from around the corner even wheeled their chair back to see who was saying such a thing.  I believe in customer service and am a true stickler with it.  I would just polietly call and ask for Dr. Baker's surgery scheduler and say who you are and that you're a little confused as to what's next.  "Do I wait for the results and then hear from you?"  "How long does it take to get the results back?"  You know, just nicely let them know that "you're new at this" and they should be more than happy to answer your quick questions.  Write down all names of people you speak with "just in case". OK--I'm down off my customer service soap box. Let us know how it goes!!!

Stay on your soap box as long as you'd like!! I agree 100%.  I have worked in customer service most of my life and there are things that just aren't tolerated - or weren't when I did them.  I think the smile and greet is gone.  I noticed that bank tellers, cashiers, etc. no longer smile.  In my day....the 'my cell phone conversation is way more important' and 'I just don't want to wait on anyone' attitudes would have been met with a pink slip . The thing that gets me is that with the economy the way it is here in Michigan,  employers shouldn't have any problem in finding someone capable of doing a great job and who can also be cordial....heck even really be happy to be there! (Oops, stole your soap box) Dr Baker did say to call if I have ANY questions.  So maybe that is it.  The girls at the counter are super busy and maybe it is best just to call with questions so we talk to the right person and aren't tying them up....I'd hate to hold up anyone else's paperwork. Thanks bunches!!

How'd you get so lucky as to only have 1 nutritionist visit? Ha. I saw Dr. White.. and she said since I had never "formally" seen any kind of nutritionist that I will need at least 2 visits with theirs. Ugh. I just finished my sleep study a couple days ago.. I wrote about it in my blog if you're interested in the details. Who was your sleep doc? Mine is Dr. Hausman.. she is crazy. I just love her. She is funny.  I see the nutritionist next week and then the surgeon and Scott in 2 weeks.. along with the 2nd nutritionist visit. Like you.. I feel like there should be.. uh.. I don't know.. more? I see people posting about the struggles to get approved, etc.. I think we are SUPER lucky to have BCBS.. their guidelines are awesome. Oh, I forgot about the lab work too.. I have the paper to order it, I just need to fast overnight so I can go on one of my mornings off. Other people suggested calling Dr. Baker's preop coordinator.. do that! That is what they are there for, right? I am sure they have been asked every question in the book and then some.. don't sit and wonder.. give em a quick call. Let's see which one of us gets a surgery date first, eh? Prolly you.   Good luck!!

Hi! Thanks!   I am glad that it isn't just me that thinks this is too easy - and I am not rubbing it in for those who have had to fight to get approved.  My heart goes out to them.  I don't know who the sleep dr is....I thought I was supposed to receive a packet, but then Spectrum called to pre-register me on Monday?  All I know is that I show up with jammies, tooth brush & pillow at the building in front of the 4100 building. I forgot to add that I had my labs drawn last week before meeting Dr Baker.  I am assuming they were ok - all 12 vials!!  DH wanted to know if I was running a quart low when I told him about it. :D I will bet you get your date sooner, you have your sleep study behind you.  I would think that some of the appointments  (nut and what not) could be done in the 2 weeks prior to surgery.   The other thing I know I need to do is get my exercise program down.  I am thinking Curves - at least to start....and now that the weather might be a fair bit better. Good luck to you too!!

I don't have much to add, but it sounds like you are on your way. Just keep after them; sometimes the office folk will let you fall through the cracks. So if you haven't heard from them for awhile, call back. Pester them. Bug them. Be impatient. Make sure they know you want their attention. (This is from experience ... they dragged their feet on getting my insurance approval, lost my insurance card and I waited nearly a year to have my surgery. Then they wanted me to have all my labs again, another visit with the internist and the behaviorist (out of my pocket again) ... so be pushy.) Otherwise, their medical folk are great. If you have any questions, please e-mail me. I'm am nearly four years out and have lost 180 pounds. It's the best decision I've ever made to have this surgery. Dr. Foote was great. He gave me my life back.