I Am SOOO Frustrated

December 29, 2004

I haven't posted very much recently but I have read everything everyone has written and I've gotten much comfort from many of your words.

I thought things were going along swimmingly for me but my WLS process has hit a huge snag.

I finished the 12 week course at Kaiser fontana on November 12th and we were told that our paperwork had already been approved by our PCPs and had been sent to Rob in Los Angeles for an approval number and that we should hear any time.

By December 13th, when I hadn't heard anything, I called Rob directly and he told me that he hadn't received any paperwork on me. I called Dr. Salaama in Fontana and he told me that there had bee a mistake and that my paperwork had been sent back to the chart room instead of to Rob. He also told me that it was sent out again on the 13th and that he (Dr. Salaama) would call Rob personally to discuss the mix up.

I spoke with Pacific Bariatric and they have received all the paperwork I sent them and are only waiting for the approval number to set me up for my orientation appointments. They said that I could probably get an appointment very quickly (within 2 weeks) once they have that approval number.

I waited patiently and, when I hadn't heard by last Wednesday (the 23rd), I called Rob again. He again told me that he had not received my paperwork. By this time, I was just about spurting steam from my ears and I couldn't even talk with anyone because they tall took a few days off for Christmas.

First thing Monday I spoke with Jinx at Fontana who couldn't figure out what was going wrong. She told me that Rob and Dr. Salaama were both off this entire week so we would have to wait until the 3rd to get any answers.

I also called Member Services to register a complaint about this whole situation. The woman who checked into things for me told me that the Administrator for Preventative Medicine told her that Rob had 40 folders on his desk and I would just have to be patient. Again, I explained that Rob said he didn't have the folder and that when he finally gets it, I feel that I should be scheduled before people who took their class months after mine. It seems like I'm just going around in circles. People in my class are already having their surgeries this month and I'm just being given the royal runaround.

I don't expect anyone here to be able to do anything for me but I appreciate being able to vent. You're the only people I know who will appreciate this problem.

I know that I will have the surgery eventually but I have done everything just as I have been asked and it seems like Kaiser is dropping the ball. I was really hoping to have the surgery before my husband has to undergo more chemotherapy but now that doesn't look likely either.

Well, thanks for listening and have a happy new year!

Adrienne

A frustrated pre-op in Riverside

December 29, 2004

Adrienne,

We all know how disappointing these types of delays can be. I'm glad you chose to share your story here, so we can offer some support and encouragement. I have a philosophy about Kaiser -- when it works it's great and when it doesn't work it's awful! ;-) Rest assured that I have heard similar stories (and worse) from people who have non-Kaiser insurances. It just seems to be people-error more than anything.

The important thing to keep in mind is that you WILL get the surgery. Keep your focus on the long-term. By next Christmas you'll be a lot healthier and there will be a LOT less of you!

On Monday morning, bright and early, be the squeaky wheel on the phone at your doctor's office. Sounds like you've got the situation well under control. ;-)

Laurie W.