Re: how do you really know who is a 'good' doctor and who isn't?
From: andrea (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed Sep 5 19:58:55 2007
I finally got the letter today that I have been waiting for from my
insurance. They said I had an "exclusion" on my new policy and I was
worried that it was my endo. But is says, they are no longer covering
any disorder or disease of the ovaries or infertility problems. I think
I am in the clear, because as far as I know, endo is a uterus problem
and I no longer give a crap about fertility, I just want a lap and
partial hysterectomy!
I just have to get my doc to write to my insurance stating that my endo
has nothing to do with my ovaries and now the surgery will be covered!!
I was waiting on that so my surgery would be affordable. I would have
had to pay $13,000. Now, it's $3500. Now, I have to schedule an MRI in
the next week, then the next surgery appt is not available til the first
week of October. Yay!! I can finally get this done.
At Wed, 5 Sep 2007, anonymous wrote:
>
>when is your lap?
>t Wed, 5 Sep 2007, andrea wrote:
>>
>>Hi there,
>>
>>I always wondered the same thing til now. What makes a specialist?
>>Well, many things! Most OB's I have maybe done a couple hundred lap
>>surgeries if that, and only know thier way around the reproductive
>>system. An endo or pelvic pain speicailist has done upwards of 5000 lap
>>surgeries or more and they know their way around ALL of the abdominal
>>organs. They are required to have way more hours of training in this
>>specialty. They are qualified to do removal of endo from your bladder,
>>bowels, urethra, kidneys and anywhere else they may find it. Surgery is
>>ALL THEY DO. They are not docs you go to for paps. You will get a much
>>more thorough, successful surgery, with fewer complications.
>>
>>So many women have had multiple surgeries because a regular OB will get
>>in there and be intimidated by the severity of the endo and what organs
>>it's on, so they will just remove what they can, then close you back up.
>>Why waste money and pain on that? I have waited years to have this
>>surgery because I could not find someone I thought was qualified enough
>>or other doctors were just plain rude and uncompassionate to me or
>>wanted to put me on Lupron, which I am totally against. My doctor now
>>has a great bedside manner, listens and is respectful of my decisions.
>>It takes a while to find someone who is GOOD and who you trust as well.
>>My doctor is expensive, but he does take insurance. The cost is
>>$25,000.
>>
>>Find out how many certifications your doc has, hours of training, ask
>>how many laps he/she has performed. That will give you an idea of thier
>>expertise. I definately feel like I am in better hands now than I have
>>ever been.
>>
>>Good Luck to you and feel better!
>>
>>--
>>Andrea :)
>>
>>At Mon, 3 Sep 2007, Mary wrote:
>>>
>>>I am very confused. I keep getting told to go to the website Endodocs -
>>>to find an excision specialist to treat my endo.
>>>
>>>My question: how do we know these doctors are really any better than the
>>>rest? do they really have a better track record than a typical doctor?
>>>Is their saying they are an "excision specialist" just an advertising
>>>gimmick they use to get customers?
>>>
>>>I am skeptical that I will only get "proper" treatment with an "excision
>>>specialist". Many of these doctors are very expensive, and do not take
>>>insurance. This makes me even more skeptical. Is anyone else out there
>>>questioning the motives of these doctors?
>>>
>>>We need to come up with a more scientific system to properly evaluate
>>>these doctors. Anyone have any suggestions??
>>
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