DO NOT GO TO DR.BRAD RAY IN BLOOMINGTON INDIANA!!!

Hey Pat, I couldn't agree more. I looked it up on Yahoo maps and G-town is about 3 hours from Velpen, In.

Hi Marlena What an asshole!!! No wait- he's a whole ass!!! I am so sorry for your experience. Doesn't he realize that if you could loose 100 lbs on your own that you wouldn't need surgery. When I was pre-op I was lucky to loose 20 and not gain back 30. Have you ever checked into Peoria? The osf surgical group is terrific. You can pull up their website- I think it's peoriasurgical.com. Good luck and hang in there!!! Julie

Wow Marlena! When I first read this I was just bulls*** But lets take a deep breath! First, call them back and find out why you need a CAT scan. Secondly, call around to find a an "open" CAT scan. This machine is not enclosed and can fit us larger folks (although it does take a little longer). I would speak with the practice manager too. How is it possible that you were not notified that you would need to lose weight over a year long process?? Did the doctor just notice how much you weighed? Since you have a year invested with them, I would try to get this situation corrected. I don't have much faith in them right now but maybe it can be fixed. Otherwise, find a new doc pronto - I am sure your insurance will approve it again if it did it once (and no exclusions have been added). Good luck!

Dr. Brad Ray is my doctor and I have nothing but wonderful things to say about him and his staff. I had no problems at all getting approved when it came to my new insurance , but with my old insurance I Had to use all 3 appeals and his assistant Lana helped me everyway she knew possible in trying to get them to approve me. Finally after getting approved with the new insurance I had a surgery date within 10 days and had my band done with no problems at all. I have had no problems with my band and would highly recommend Dr. Ray to everyone! If it because of your weight that he can't or won't do it right now, there must be a reason?? If you find out what that reason is please let me know because I Have a friend who is close to your weight who wants to get the band also and I will let her know before she goes through all the trouble of driving as far just to find out she can't get it done just yet. Sorry you had problems but Dr. Ray is a very very good doctor! Hugs; Charlene 254/209/170ish

Marlena- I had all my pre-op testing done with another surgeon a year earlier because I was looking into RNY. When I found my surgeon I was able to transfer the test results no problem...he only required me to go to his dietician and of course get updated bloodwork and chest x-ray. My insurance comp. did not balk over the fact that the pre-op work up was started with another surgeon, as long as I was going to have it done at a hospital in network what do they care who I allowed to perform the procedure. The first thing I would do is get a copy of your file from this surgeons office ASAP, get all test results,(the RNY surgeons office I was working with faxed my Lap surgeon a blank file, luckily, I work for my insurance comp. and had the name of every doc I went to and had to call the offices to get copies of test results.) Then call your insurance company and find out what the policy is on your approval if you switch providers and then find a new surgeon. Basically what we are saying to you Marlena...it aint over till it's over! This surgeon may merely be expressing his apprehension with working with a higher BMI in which case, you don't need him poking and proding on you, go find yourself an experienced surgeon who will be professional enough to tell you his/her concerns upfront and not waste a second of either one of your time. I wish you all the best, you will have this done. Keep us posted. Monie

Oh, Marlena! I am so sorry that this happened! How absolutely ridiculous that you were turned down for weight loss surgery for being "too" overweight! That is absurd! Hon, I agree with the others. Start looking for another doctor. Maybe since you already have all your testing and pre-op stuff done, you will be able to slide right into their program. Hugs, Denise

Hi Marlena, I just realized that your Doctor is in Bloomington Indiana- not Illinois. DUH- I'm blond please forgive me- I know not what I do sometimes. Julie

Ouch! Sorry Marlena Im in indianapolis and i used Dr evanson. He's a wonderful surgeon as well as being a trauma surgeon for methodist hospital. I can give you his information if youre interested.