:help: Approved now cold feet

Well I AM SURE THAT I WANT THE LAP BAND. My time of questioning that is over - thank God, thank all of you guys for your support during my not so sure times! I had my surgery date before my insurance approved this procedure (Healthnet took 2 business days to approve once paperwork was submitted - got the approval call on Tuesday), though the surgery date has now changed to the 31st of March - this Thursday? I don't want to shout out the WLS center that I am working with, but I am worried about putting my life in their hands long-term (fills etc.). I have faith in the surgeon, but the administrative staff has far surpassed the disorganized line - - - I wonder if they could put my life on the line by not following through with what they are supposed to do or if they are just an annoyance. So far, they have lost copies of my insurance card 3x's, the incredibly long application was lost and I had to go through the trauma of filling it out a second time (so much WL history), they insisted that my contact number was transposed when they did not call me to cancel an appointment that was out of town (they had called me many times before at this number), about 4 office staff keep referring to a preop binder that I never received - each one promised to express mail this to me (2weeks 2x's, 1 week , and 4 days since different promising) and I have not received this binder which has the preop diet in it. Wow, I am shocking myself. When I call this center I am transferred over and over and picked up by staff by mistake and forgotton about by the staff that should have picked up. My psych testing was lost for a minute and the list goes on. Meanwhile, when my patient care coordinator is available, she is wonderful, but she is not always available (and is she just nice and not efficient?). Don't get me wrong, I do not want to chat with these people all of the time, I just need to have my situation straight and I have played an incredibly active role in getting my testing and paperwork done - - - because I had no advise or guidelines from this office just empty promises. I expressed my fears to the psychologist (who works for this center) during my testing and he agreed that they were disorganized but insisted that I had chosen the right operation and the right surgeon as he had worked for some of the top WLS docs in NYC. He thought I was ready and would do great. He even told me that they were in the midst of firing a few people. Now I don't want anyone fired -really. So anyway, I guess I am worried about the same things that I expressed in my last email before my mini vacation. Okay, I am going to storm into that office on Monday with questions. I have never been able to talk to the surgeon again or get answers to the question that have been plaguing me. Why am I so passive when it comes to this. I have issue with the band size and if it is indeed beneficial for me not to have the Vanguard band to not have it (I feel that in my heart). I have concerns about my port position because of my large breasts and needing underwires (I have to live with this). I want to say that I trust the surgeon but I trust myself more. I have to live with me for the rest of my life. Like my knee, I had this secret wish that they would use dissolvable screws instead of titianium. I did not express this and am stuck with huge titanium screws that serve absolutely no purpose as what they were supposed to be supporting, a cadavera tendon has dissolved mysteriously. So I must speak on this for my own peace of mind. What do you all think? I have thought about having the surgery elsewhere throughout this journey but kept being soothed along the way. Now I don't want to lose my surgery date I don't know, I feel so alone in this.

Hi Zee, Well I can definately understand your concern. You need to be able to trust in the people who will have your life in their hands. First I would find out exactly what group of people are going to be taking care of you post operatively. It could make a difference in your feelings about them. Also, I would demand to talk to the surgeon and voice your concerns to him so he is aware of how you feel and might make an extra effort to make sure you are well taken care of. As far as choice in which band, that is usually up to the doctor once he get's in there and see's the size of your stomache. For me however, my surgeon already knew what band he wanted on me before looking at my stomach and even had it in the box and showed it to me before surgery. But I have a friend who's doc didn't know until he opened him up and saw how large his stomach was (and the fat surrounding it I guess?) and decided on the vanguard. I would also talk with the patient care coordinator about your concerns, and don't feel like you are just being a tattle tale. You are right, this is the most important decision of your life and you need to be strong and don't worry about hurting someone's feelings over it. (I know that feeling, I am the same way!!). Oh and I bet if you talk to the doc about port position he would be happy to try and place it where you would be most comfortable. I hope I have helped some. I think it will just have to be up to you whether or not you trust that center enough to have the surgery there. I guess I would demand to see the surgeon monday or tuesday and discuss these things with him. Good luck Zee !! Tracy Dr. Aceves (http://www)mexicolapband.com 280/254.5/160

Thanks Tracy, you have helped. Sometimes just writing helps me untangle my own web. I know that I must play an extremely active role in all of this. Thanks you so much for responding Tracy - much love. Good Day, Leila

Wow. I know you don't want to lose your surgery date, but I am really concerned about the ability of your current clinic to care for you. Yes it's very late in the process but I really think you should consider moving to a different doctor and/or center. You would have to re-submit your insurance but it sounds as though their approval turnaround is extremely fast. At the very least you might call some other clinics and/or Dr.'s offices on Monday AM to gather information and have a better grasp of what your options are. I know I would. Since you have completed all of your pre-op you may be able to find an office that could do the surgery fairly quickly? Probably not as soon as Thursday, but they may still be able to get you in in a reasonable amount of time. Life happens and people cancel surgery appointments. Perhaps you could fill one of those spots. There are just so many things to worry about and your choice of doctor or clinic should not have to be one of them. You have the right to be dealing with professionals and know that you are in safe hands. I know that in the end you will do what you feel is right for you but since you asked for our thoughts, there are mine. Good luck with whatever you decide and please keep us updated.