Dr. Dennis Smith's practice has been acquired...

A bump in the road.... Dr. Smith's practice, Advanced Obesity Surgery, no longer exists. It has been acquired by/merged with Wellstar Hospital. It is now Wellstar Comprehensive Bariatric Services. This means it is a brand new practice and I was told that currently they are not listed with any insurance companies. 

I don't know how the process works, but I hope they can just give Aetna a new Provider I.D. and not have to go thru the motions of negotiating prices.

I knew the name change had occured but didn't realize what all was involved.  For those people who had dates scheduled I hope there is no problem for them.

Becky

So, is Dr. Smith going to be employed by the new owner, and still doing DS there?    Would be a shame to see one of the top DS surgeons go out of practice, esp. in that DS-shy part of the U.S. 

They are still proceeding with my case, pending the insurance outcome. Dr. Smith did accept me as a DS patient last week, after reviewing my medical records.

 He is still doing surgeries there including the DS. At least that is what he told me when I was there for my annual check up. 

Jinjer

I will keep my fingers crossed that everything will transfer smoothly for you!  Keep us updated!  Have a great day!

Smiles!
Cita

Thank you, Cita!

Worst case scenario, Dr. Maynard takes Aetna, I believe, and he has his own fan club here, too.  The only downside is that he does it open.

Thanks Valerie. I didn't realize he only does open. Hopefully the insurance companies will just accept Dr. Smith's new provider I.D.without any hassle.

My open DS wasn't a big deal.  My incision was glued all the way down so I had no sutures or stiches to worry about and it was completely healed in 2 weeks.