Susan, Shelia...Calling all of Dr. Spaw's patients for help!!

Susan: Thank you so much for your encouragement.  I called CIGNA this morning and they did receive the paperwork and it is still in review.  I am just a bit anxious because I had no guidance at all from the other hospital I was dealing with so I was turned down twice already.  My PCP was really unhappy with the folks we had to deal with (the nurse practitioner and the RN.)  No matter what happens this time I am not going to be discouraged.  If I have to start over...I'm ready!

Have a great day! Freddie

I'm proud of your "never give up" attitude. Hopefully all of the proper paperwork was done this time and you will get your approval. Make sure you keep us posted on your progress. Susan

Rhonda, Will, and Freddie,          I am just now getting home and reading your post, but I wanted to know that I agree with Susan and give you a little, well a lot more input about Dr. Spaw and his staff.            I went to the seminar and Dr. Spaw was presenting, he was such a wonderfully educated, talented and genuinely concerned man, it was these things that made me feel comfortable with him from the start.  I had searched for over five years prior to making my decision and I had initially decided on a different surgeon, because my OB-GYN that I have had since I was 15 and think a lot of recommended this surgeon. However, it was not until I was at the approval process that we discovered that the hospital was covered by my insurance, but not the surgeon.  I will not lie, I was disappointed, however I had not met with the other surgeon in person, just from a seminar and his reputation, but I know that God does things for a reason and I believe that is why I was sent to Dr. Spaw. This discovery happened on October 16, 2006; therefore I was a concerned, because on Friday, October 13, 2006, I paid my only $300.00 for my psychological evaluation visit and was afraid that another center would not use the one that I had already paid for and I could not afford another evaluation.  The reason I thought this, I was told that certain Doctors require you to go to certain centers to meet their psychological standards for surgery and was afraid they may not accept the one I just had done, because it would not be there recommended person. 

 

       I called insurance and they stated that Dr. Spaw had been added to my insurance, effective October 15, 2006, (I call that God's Plan, since he was added the day before I called), then I called his office and he was having a seminar the next day.  Dr. Spaw asked me to stay afterwards, because of some things I mentioned during the seminar and we spoke, I knew then that he was the surgeon for me!!!  He had Dawn come out and get the information I had already prepared and see what else we needed to get me approved.  I was turned down the first time, because I only had 4 months of Dr. supervised diet documentation, but I was approved in less than 24 hours after I faxed my sixth month to Dawn and she faxed it to my insurance (God meant for this to happen, I strongly believe).  I got my approval on December 20th and saw Dr. Spaw on December 21st for my pre-surgery visit, my surgery was January 29, 2007, it could have been a few weeks earlier, but my son was having his tonsils and adenoids removed two days after Christmas and I needed to make sure he was going to be fine first, he is 11.  But, just as Susan explained about this visit it is very informative and Dr. Spaw will answer any questions you may have and provide answers to some you may not have even thought of yet.  I know one thing since going to Dr. Spaw, he is a rare, one-of-a-kind individual, because he honestly cares about his patients and their success, you are not just more money in his pocket or a number.  I have had several problems and when I call his office, his staff has always treated me wonderfully and he has always responded very quickly, regardless if he is there or not.  I am going on 5 months post-op and the care I received last Thursday for my depression was wonderful, I truly believe that I would have with any other doctor.  He prayed for me prior to surgery, because I was scared in the holding area before surgery, (it was his idea); this is rare in today's society, but another quality that I truly love.  Plus, when he came to my room the night of my surgery, he addressed my son by his name, not generically, it meant a lot to me that he knew his name, therefore, this proved to me, that he really pays close attention to a part of my life that is important to me.  It is sometimes, not only the big things that count, but the little ones as well.  I am so glad that he has this type of mannerisms, because with this type of surgery, you not only want a qualified surgeon performing the surgery, but you want someone you can trust, respect and value during your aftercare in order to be successful and Dr. Spaw was defiantly the right fit for me.  I wish you the best of luck and I am sure that you will feel the same about Dr. Spaw as I do!!! Shelia

 

 

Shelia Thanks, as a Christian your post meant a lot to me. I have known for along time that God uses cir****tances and events to guide me where I'm supposed to be. Right now that does seem to be with Dr Spaw. So I will turn in all my paperwork on July 2 and go from there.

Dawn did tell me the last time I in the office that CIGNA is now taking two weeks to approve the surgery. God bless and thanks for the encouragement Will PS anyone I just found this Board and I feel like an un-invited guest, is there an introduction process. I don't want to intrude but I do have few questions about the gastric bypass surgery that I would like to ask from time to time. Thanks

Will, Nobody is an uninvited guest here, we are all here for each other and you are very welcome.    Just fire your questions   and we will attempt to answer   them the best we can.   Welcome. Shelia

Many thanks to everyone!!! I have to say that Shelia's post about Dr. Spaw praying for her is very important to me.  I want a surgeon who is a Christian and does pray for his patients.  I tossed around the surgeon choices and almost went with someone else...I truly believe God was guiding me to Dr. Spaw because I prayed and prayed and the only surgeon I have peace with is Dr. Spaw......I think God is tying to tell me something, don't you!!?!!?!! I'll give the insurance about a week and then I'll call to see what they say.  I have to call.....I want to be sure they have received everything.  I know they most likely won't have a decision yet, but at least I'll know they have everything. Thanks again to everyone here--you all are so supportive and it's great to be able to come here and get info/advice!!! Rhonda

I loved the fact that Dr. Spaw prayed with me too, and I wasn't even nervous before surgery. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God led me to Dr. Spaw because he is the person who was supposed to do my surgery. I had been to a couple of other seminars before going to the one at Baptist. I left those seminars with a very uneasy feeling. Not about the surgery, they didn't tell me anything I hadn't already researched about the surgery. I just didn't feel like I had found the right surgeon for me...until I met Dr. Spaw.