Did you choose a surgeon who is located out of your immediate area?

 I found a surgeon that is about 60 miles away. My PCP does NOT approve of me having WLS. I believe it is because he is affiliated with a local hospital's non- surgical weight loss center, and keeps pushing Opti-fast on me!
 When I went to the WL seminar and then met with a patient advocate and told her that my PCP would not give me approval, I was told it was no problem. (what a relief!!)  What they did was have me see a doctor in THEIR hospital's network. I will see him twice and get the letter for insurance.  The center is great about scheduling appts on the same day, so the traveling hasn't been too bad.

This is great info to have.  I was wondering if the surgeon might have someone who could act as my PCP if I need one for this purpose. 

Has the surgeon how long it might take to get a date?

My surgeon is 7 hours away and he and my PCP coordinated for my pre-ops. I did have to make 2 visits before I drove up for my surgery. I would do it again...I had the best doctor available for me.

My surgeon is only about 70 miles away in Honolulu.  Unfortunately, I can only get there by plane.  This time of year it costs about $150-175 round trip and then there is the cost of a rental car, etc.  The surgery center has been really great about scheduling all of my appointments for the same day so that I don't have to spend more than one day over there.

I looked at doing my surgery in California, there is a doctor in the bay area that really pushes for Hawaiian patients.  Since I have to leave home for a week for my surgery anyway...I decided to look into it.  I discovered that my insurance (HMAA) will pay for the surgeon, but not the anesthesiologist when any surgery happens out of state.  Seems crazy doesn't it?  Every insurance company is different, check with yours to find out where they pay and what they pay.

There are other options close to me, but none of them have the level of experience or support with after care.  I didn't really get a direct referral either.  I just put my endocrinologist's name and phone number on my initial forms with the surgery center.  They called the office and asked for my records.  That's all it took....no actual referral.

My surgery center in Hawaii is very familiar with my insurance company and all the ins and outs of making stuff happen.  Maybe your doctor in Chicago has experience with dealing with your insurance company.  The discharge office at the hospital where my surgery will take place as been the most helpful in terms of discovering how much my insurance would cover. 

Good luck with your revision, I hope you get the information you need so that you can start moving forward on your journey!

Sara in Maui

My surgeon is about 100 miles away, taking me about two hours to get there. I've had to make several trips during the past year, but it's been worth it. I try to schedule several appointments all on one day, like the classes, pre-op and doctors visit in order to travel less times.

I do wish he were in the same town as I am, but in Panama City, there is only really one wls surgeon here and I don't feel he has enough experience in Revisions which is what I am having and I too don't want someone who may mess me up.

Wynter

I have a hospital literally across the street from my apartment with 3 bariatric surgeons but there was no way I would use them.  I didn't feel that they had enough experience and they proved me right.  I went an hour away into New York city.  2 years post op, I had some really serious complications and was rushed to the ER and almost died - they ran tons of tests in the ER across the street and they said they wouldnt' touch me there as they thought I wouldn't make it - they weren't qualified to treat my condition.  They immediately rushed me into NY to my actually bariatric surgeon - thank goodness and I am still here to talk about it.  What if I had used them as my bariatric surgeons?

You have to go with your gut. Pick the surgeon you feel is most qualified and you are most comfortable with. Like previous posters have said, once the surgery is complete most people don't see their surgeons very often (complications are actually rare) and you can join a support group close to home.

With that said, I am one of those people who had complications. I had what several doctors referred to as the worst post-op infection they ever saw. I had a follow-up exploration surgery, several gi series, cat scans and all kinds of tests. I then spent 8 days in the hospital on iv antibiotics. For two months, I went to the dr every single day and the ER on the weekends so they could treat the infection (and I had a visiting nurse at night).

Luckily the dr/hospital is less than a mile from my apartment. I never would have considered something like this happening before my surgery, but I was so glad they were close once it did.

Again, my case is rare. However, when talking to your far-away surgeon ask how they might address any complications if they arise. It's better to be prepared! Good luck!

I live in Alaska and had my surgery in San Diego.

I called my PCP and said I want to do this and he said okay and faxed a letter to a bariatric surgeon in Anchorage (which is still 2.5 hours away from me) I did some pre-op stuff with him and he told me when it came to surgery time it would be cheaper for me to go out of state. So I went to where he recommend. I was a cash pay.

As far as insurance goes- I don't have any so I'm of no help there. But I would think it wouldn't matter unless you were asking asking for traveling expenses.

Valerie

I live on the coast of NC and I had my surgery in Mexico. It was a great experience and a nice vacation since I needed to stay awhile. Stayed 10 days so it wouldn't be dangerous flying that far.