Blog about diabetes

Well, it is almost finally here. Today is the seminar for the gastric bypass. I have been on the list for this seminar since the first of August. I had the appointment for it since then too. That is how far in advance the waiting period is because so many people are wanting it done. It is the first step towards getting the surgery. The doctor will not consider you nor put you on his waiting list unless you attend. It is out at Columbia, Missouri (about 95 miles from our house). The reason I am going all that way, is because the doctor is associated with Mizzou University. They are a teaching university and he is a part of that. Also he and his associate are who were recommended by everyone I or my contacts talked to. I talked to my primary care doctor, my gastro-intestinal specialist and they both said he is the best and the only one they would recommend. Also I have a couple contacts at St. Louis with contacts at the major hospitals there and they talked to the heads of
several departments at the hospitals and these doctor’s were the only ones recommended by all those people (the people “in the know at the hospitals”). And Bill and I also talked to several people at GM who have had it done and they all said this guy is the best and the only one they would have do their surgery. Dr. Scott is a provider with our insurance co, and his associate isn’t (just because they didn’t feel that both needed to be on the insurance from GM). That way Dr. Scott can handle the GM insurance people and Dr. DeLatorie can handle the people who aren’t GM employees.

I don’t know how long after the seminar it will be for the surgery. They initially said the average wait is 3-8 months. They did say that I had to have a referral from my primary care doctor so that insurance would approve it. I mentioned I also see a cardiologist and endocrinologist (he is my diabetic specialist). They said if I can get referrals from both of them, that will also help. The more doctor referrals for the surgery, the faster our insurance will approve it. I have talked to both of them and they are sending their referrals. So I will have three total. I am also going to check with a few other doctors I see and check if they will write letters of recommendation. One of the people that is a GM worker said he went to his seminar in May and had the surgery in June. He only had two referrals. I can hope the same will happen for me. We are lucky enough that it is a covered procedure with our insurance.

Well, just wanted to keep you all up to date on the news.

Love,

Sue