Finding the right Doctor

Well you can tell I ramble. But I am heavily medicated as I sit here recovering. The lesson you should have learned from my first bit was when you call and make an appoint for a consultation for a plastic surgeon ASK if there is a consultation fee. Don't get surprised and put on the spot when you show up. Better yet don't make an apt with them at all if they charge you just to give a consultation. So how did I find the right Dr. A lot of Luck and a wonderful person online. Someone posted on a triplet moms message board asking about the cost of tummy tucks. I responded with my $8,000 quote and how I couldn't find a Dr who would talk about insurance for any part. Another lady knowing we lived in KY messaged me privately asking if I would be willing to drive to Louisville (an hour and half drive for me) for a Dr who is willing to file with insurance. She got her surgery covered completely by insurance. Um..let me think...yeah didn't take long. I called but the Dr she recommended didn't have an opening so I got an appt with another Dr in the practice. Finally I was hopeful again. The first apt was like a dream. Dr. Wilhelmi was so personable and explained everything. Looked at my tummy, talked about my med history. He thought I had a good case to get not just the hernia and muscle repair covered but also the skin removal. In that moment he was the sexiest man alive. Even as I stood there gown open with him shaking my floppy tummy skin like it was jello. I heard very little after that. Thankfully I brought my husband to ask all the questions because I stood there with a silly grin on my face staring at him. After I got dressed he did talk more about insurance and the procedure. He told us that most plastic surgeons won't deal with insurance because they won't do the work for insurance rates. He said he is willing to do it for the insurance rates because he likes the challenge and he uses the cases as teaching opportunities. He assured me that he preforms the surgery but he has a resident observe and hold the retractors or help pull the skin back. A job typically done by a nurse. He also said not to get scared by the word "resident". That a plastic surgery resident has already gone through med school, then residency, then surgery residency and possibly another speciality and is now entering plastics. so they have many years of surgery experience before they get to plastics. It isn't like they are just out of med school. So I am getting another Dr in place of a nurse to help the surgery go faster. I don't see the down side yet. Pictures were taken. Felt like my stomach was getting mug shots for their crimes against nature. I was asked to get my regular MD to write a letter to my insurance company saying she felt the surgery was medically necessary. For good measure I asked my rheumatologist to write a letter also. Then we just had to wait for approval.

The thing that surprised and impressed me the most was my new Dr. gave me his card and wrote his personal cell phone number on it in case I had any questions or problems. What Dr. does that anymore?