complaints:

Sep 03, 2011

I have been fighting with weight loss surgery people for a while. I have been degraded and downsized and today I did something about it. I sent the following letters to several papers and the company itself. :) To whom it may concern:
I am writing this letter in regards to the treatment I have been receiving through the weight loss staff through Essential Health, St. Mary’s. My belief since I started this process that the staff/employees were going to be compassionate and provide exquisite care. Show sympathy to all, not to a selected few. I have yet to see that happen.
I have been abused since I started treatment. I have been humiliated, degraded, poked fun at, all in the attempt to have weight loss surgery so I can have a hysterectomy. I rather deal with all my prior issues than take one more step off that elevator and back on to that floor. Deal with all my “problems” than walk back into the room with one of those staff members and feel as low as they have made me feel! It’s not right!
I have been to the meetings, and to every single appointment imaginable. I have watched the way the staff picks and chooses the people they choose to be caring too. I have heard when mentioned this to others about the treatment, “Oh they are mean to everyone!”Why? Why are those who should be considered professionals so uncourteous to others? Are they not there to help those who are dealing with this disease compared to ridicule them? Why should I drive over 120 miles one way to be poked fun at? Would you? I highly doubt it.
I understand if the patient they were dealing with at that time was “difficult” and they were a bit on edge. But every single staff person? Every form of life that walked through that door has this on and off switch on their back that they will flick pending on the person that walks through!
I decided that I even though I made it to the end, I will NOT be having surgery through Essentia Health at St. Mary’s in Duluth, Mn. The piece of hay that broke the camel’s back is when I was denied surgery through my insurance company. I called and asked one of the people involved with surgery, if I could appeal the decision, a very abrupt NO and a click of the phone. She hung up on me.
I appealed it anyway. I soon received a phone call from a Jessica (651)662-8580 from blue cross blue shield, Monday, August 29^th stating that my insurance company approved my surgery. I was ecstatic! I was hoping that I would be able to call and hear, “That’s great news and we will work on getting you scheduled right now!” No instead,“Why did you appeal it? Weren’t you told no? How did you?” I was actually surprised that I wasn’t shocked by hearing that but then again that is not the only time, I believe her name is Lindsey; was rude. And I know for a fact that she has been exceptionally rude to many others during the surgery process! A friend of mine can verify for that as well. But like many others, “Oh Honey don’t take it personally she is like that with everyone.” Well I almost want to apologize for being so abrupt by why? I do take it personally! For a lady who does not even know me, treated me with such disrespect and dismanner. It’s shameful!
Frankly the only person I had no complaint was from my clinical dietician. Kris I believe her name was. She was quite wonderful! Very kind and compassionate. As I expected the rest of the staff to be! But alas that was never the case.
And again I say it is a sad thing that I am NOT the only one going through this. I heard many others that have but were too afraid to say anything. They didn’t want to jeopardize their chance at surgery because they needed to lose the weight that bad. Fortunately for me, I don’t care. I refuse to have surgery and pay those who are so inconsiderate.
I believe strongly that better care needs to be done to those who will be going in their weather it’d be the first appointment, or for their final visit before surgery. No person, does NOT matter their size needs to be treated so unfairly! Do we not get enough harassment already in our daily lives? Why should we get it from those who are there to help? With regards that this letter may reach someone,
Chantel McGleno
Past patient and not one in the fore seeable future. and to the hospital they recieved the following: To whom it may concern:
I am writing this letter in regards to the treatment I have been receiving through the weight loss staff through Essential Health, St. Mary’s. My belief since I started this process that the staff/employees were going to be compassionate and provide exquisite care. Show sympathy to all, not to a selected few. I have yet to see that happen.
I have been abused since I started treatment. I have been humiliated, degraded, poked fun at, all in the attempt to have weight loss surgery so I can have a hysterectomy. I rather deal with all my prior issues than take one more step off that elevator and back on to that floor. Deal with all my “problems” than walk back into the room with one of those staff members and feel as low as they have made me feel! It’s not right!
I have been to the meetings, and to every single appointment imaginable. I have watched the way the staff picks and chooses the people they choose to be caring too. I have heard when mentioned this to others about the treatment, “Oh they are mean to everyone!”Why? Why are those who should be considered professionals so uncourteous to others? Are they not there to help those who are dealing with this disease compared to ridicule them? Why should I drive over 120 miles one way to be poked fun at? Would you? I highly doubt it.
I understand if the patient they were dealing with at that time was “difficult” and they were a bit on edge. But every single staff person? Every form of life that walked through that door has this on and off switch on their back that they will flick pending on the person that walks through!
I decided that I even though I made it to the end, I will NOT be having surgery through Essentia Health at St. Mary’s in Duluth, Mn. The piece of hay that broke the camel’s back is when I was denied surgery through my insurance company. I called and asked one of the people involved with surgery, if I could appeal the decision, a very abrupt NO and a click of the phone. She hung up on me.
I appealed it anyway. I soon received a phone call from a Jessica (651)662-8580 from blue cross blue shield, Monday, August 29^th stating that my insurance company approved my surgery. I was ecstatic! I was hoping that I would be able to call and hear, “That’s great news and we will work on getting you scheduled right now!” No instead,“Why did you appeal it? Weren’t you told no? How did you?” I was actually surprised that I wasn’t shocked by hearing that but then again that is not the only time, I believe her name is Lindsey; was rude. And I know for a fact that she has been exceptionally rude to many others during the surgery process! A friend of mine can verify for that as well. But like many others, “Oh Honey don’t take it personally she is like that with everyone.” Well I almost want to apologize for being so abrupt by why? I do take it personally! For a lady who does not even know me, treated me with such disrespect and dismanner. It’s shameful!
Frankly the only person I had no complaint was from my clinical dietician. Kris I believe her name was. She was quite wonderful! Very kind and compassionate. As I expected the rest of the staff to be! But alas that was never the case.
And again I say it is a sad thing that I am NOT the only one going through this. I heard many others that have but were too afraid to say anything. They didn’t want to jeopardize their chance at surgery because they needed to lose the weight that bad. Fortunately for me, I don’t care. I refuse to have surgery and pay those who are so inconsiderate.
I believe strongly that better care needs to be done to those who will be going in their weather it’d be the first appointment, or for their final visit before surgery. No person, does NOT matter their size needs to be treated so unfairly! Do we not get enough harassment already in our daily lives? Why should we get it from those who are there to help? With regards that this letter may reach someone,
Chantel McGleno
Past patient and not one in the fore seeable

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