Re: Is asssistant surgeon the norm for ab myo?

[Guest guest]

Robyn,

I had a 2 cm fibroid removed via hysteroscopic myomectomy with resection of

the fibroid, and I had an assisted surgeon. I would think that all surgery

would need assisted surgeons if you are put under and you could bleed to

death. I don't understand why your insurance would tell you that.

Dana

[Guest guest]

Hi Robyn,

There were ALOT of doctors in the OR! I also had 2

anesthesiologists and an assistant. I just about lost count in

pre-op just how many were there. I almost got the giggles

thinking this is what i must be like for a famous person when

they are surrounded by paparazzi! No flash bulbs though, darn!

My understanding was there was my gyn, another surgeon-who I

met post op, and 2 assistants-1 who monitored me in my room

and who came by regularly. I'm not sure who the second asst.

was as I don't remember meeting them.

But I was at UCLA which is a teaching hospital. I also met one

of the resident's who would be " partiicpating " It was his first myo

and he was observing that day. He was very nice and also came

by my room during the recovery. He was fascinated by the size of

the large fibroid and wanted to follow how the recovery went.

(I know some of you may feel apprhensive about having

residents in the OR but I didn't mind. I also completely trust my

gyn and knew he wouldn' t have allowed anything that would

have jeopardized my surgery. He was also very specific that he

would be performing the myo.)

Anyway, I hope this helps.

best wishes,

> Hi,

>

> I am beginning the process of finalizing surgeon for abdom

myo,

> surgery date, and wrangling with insurance. My insurance told

me that

> for the procedure (#58551) they don't pay for an assistant

surgeon

> because the procedure does not " necessitate " one. I was told

this

> yesterday--this is all in my attempt to find out exactly how much

> this is going to cost me, what is covered, what is not, etc...

>

> Ok, so today I clicked on the link for photos for the first time and

> noted that there were several pairs of hands in one photo with

a

> large fibroid--. Now, I am going to call back the

insurance and

> demand that they give a fuller explanation of this becuase now

I am

> beginning to suspect that with large fibroids an assistant

surgeon is

> probably the norm. I suppose that who ever my physician ends

up being

> will have to hash this out during the precertification process.

>

> It is hard not to micromanage at this point because I feel so

> skeptical of everything just about everyone tells me. Sigh....

> Any feedback on this ladies?

>

> Robyn

[Guest guest]

> My insurance told me that for the procedure (#58551) they don't pay

> for an assistant surgeon because the procedure does

> not " necessitate " one.

I didn't notice until I got the paperwork from my surgery but I had

an assistant surgeon to remove a single 7cm fibroid. And my

insurance never balked at it, they paid both my GYN and his assistant

charges no problem.

DeAnn

[Guest guest]

The other set of hands may be a resident's-residents ae not paid

Bonnie

dembasamba2002 wrote:

> Hi,

>

> I am beginning the process of finalizing surgeon for abdom myo,

> surgery date, and wrangling with insurance. My insurance told me that

> for the procedure (#58551) they don't pay for an assistant surgeon

> because the procedure does not " necessitate " one. I was told this

> yesterday--this is all in my attempt to find out exactly how much

> this is going to cost me, what is covered, what is not, etc...

>

> Ok, so today I clicked on the link for photos for the first time and

> noted that there were several pairs of hands in one photo with a

> large fibroid--. Now, I am going to call back the insurance and

> demand that they give a fuller explanation of this becuase now I am

> beginning to suspect that with large fibroids an assistant surgeon is

> probably the norm. I suppose that who ever my physician ends up being

> will have to hash this out during the precertification process.

>

> It is hard not to micromanage at this point because I feel so

> skeptical of everything just about everyone tells me. Sigh....

> Any feedback on this ladies?

>

> Robyn

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Robyn,

In the photos, forgot to add, the male doctor on the left is my gyn.

The female doctor on the right was the other doctor (not a

resident). The resident and the other 2 assistants are not shown

in the photos.

The resident was introduced as a resident. They didn't try to hide

that he would be there. And I was ok about it.

Best wishes,

> > Ok, so today I clicked on the link for photos for the first time

and

> > noted that there were several pairs of hands in one photo

with

> a

> > large fibroid--.

[Guest guest]

Hi Robyn -

I really wonder what your insurance is referring to because I don't

know how 1 surgeon could perform it with out putting you at a lot of

risk (but that's just my opinion). I had a very full surgery suite

(but I was also in a teaching hospital). My surgeon, a resident (he

told me she would be assisting with moving things around, sutures,

controlling blood loss, etc. but not the actual cutting of the

uterus. And he also said it was crucial to have extra hands in a

surgery such as this), 3 other assistants (surgical nurses I

believe), a urological surgeon (that was because of my own situation,

not usually needed), anesthetist, nurse anesthetist and medical

photographer. Definitely get more clarification from your insurance

and ask your doc's office insurance specialist to help you get that

pre-certification (actually with my doc's office my involvement in

the pre-certification was minimal...the doc's office handled most of

the details. I called my insurance to ensure everything was in order

if I needed to do anything, but in this case I didn't need to). If

you can't get help you need from your doc's office (which should not

be the case), you might also try asking to speak to your insurance's

case manager (if you have been asigned one) or provider relations...

and have them review your situation in more detail with your doc.

I wish you all the best...

P.

who has had lots of experience wrestling with insurance companies

> Hi,

>

> I am beginning the process of finalizing surgeon for abdom myo,

> surgery date, and wrangling with insurance. ..... It is hard not to

micromanage at this point because I feel so

> skeptical of everything just about everyone tells me. Sigh....

> Any feedback on this ladies?

>

> Robyn

[Guest guest]

Philese,

My fibroid was in the upper left corner of my uterus near my left tube. I

had my surgery on May 2nd. I had a half a day of spotting, and I had no pain

at all. I went back to exercising the next day. (I had 30 pounds to lose

since gaining so much with two failed pregnancies) My first period was five

days early, but it was not bad, no cramping and moderate flow the first day.

When I was on the pill I had horrible clots, but they stopped when I got off.

I am doing great now. I am having my second period post hysteroscopic

surgery and it is not bad. I am having moderate flow, and have only had to

change my pad once. I would suggest you take some over night sized pads with

you because the ones they give you in the hospital are rediculously small. I

was fortunate enough to only have spotting, but if I had real bleeding they

would have done me no good. My surgery was out patient. I went in the

operating room at 7:45, and was done by 8:30. I was out of the hospital by

11:30. I had no nausea from the anesthesia, but they gave me medicine for

that since it usually makes me sick. The only tips I have are wear loose

clothing in case you do have more bleeding then I did. Take a large pad with

you just in case. If you are given general anesthesia you will be horse for

48 hours because of the breathing tube. Nothing can be done about it, but it

goes away. You will be getting some medicine that you will place in your

vagina the night before to dialate your cervix. It will cause some spotting.

Any other questions let me know. It was not bad surgery at all for me. If

I had to do again, and I hope I never will, I would opt to have this same

surgery. Good luck

Dana

[Guest guest]

Hi Robyn, Would you tell me the name of the Dr. @UCLA and what type of

procedure did you have? Also your age. How was the UCLA experience?

Did u go to the BIG hospital on the UCLA campus? How are you feeling

now? Thanks for all the info....

sbolles432 wrote:

>Robyn,

>

>In the photos, forgot to add, the male doctor on the left is my gyn.

>The female doctor on the right was the other doctor (not a

>resident). The resident and the other 2 assistants are not shown

>in the photos.

>

>The resident was introduced as a resident. They didn't try to hide

>that he would be there. And I was ok about it.

>

>Best wishes,

>

>

>>>Ok, so today I clicked on the link for photos for the first time

>>>

>and

>

>>>noted that there were several pairs of hands in one photo

>>>

>with

>

>>a

>>

>>>large fibroid--.

>>>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dana,

Your procedure sounds quite similar to the one I am

about to experience in July. Where was your fibroid?

When did you have it done? and How are you doing now?

Any other tips?

Thanks, Philese

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