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SCHEDULING
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- When will my surgery be?
- We offer convenient and flexible scheduling times, often within days to weeks. Please note, your first visit is an office consultation prior to any scheduled procedures. Bring a calendar along with you to help in getting a date set for your procedure.
- How long will it take to get things settled with the insurance company?
- Each insurance company is unique. The usual time that it takes for insurance to pay on a bill is 30 to 60 days. If you have any questions please feel free to call the office and inquire on your claims
- Why am I getting bills from physicians?
- Once you receive a bill from the physicians that means that the insurance that was presented has now processed your claim. The balance due will match up with the explanation of benefits that you received from your insurance company. This may include a deductible that needs to be satisfied along with the co-insurance/co-pays that is required by your policy
- I received a notice that my insurance company has paid on my bill - but I can't understand how they calculated their payment amount. Do you know?
- When you receive your explanation of benefits from your insurance company first you will see the charges that were sent. Then you may see the amount that was allowed. This means that the insurance that you have is contracted with the physician. You will see on the explanation what is allowed, the payment that was sent to the office, the amount that is adjusted by the physician and then patient responsibility. The patient responsibiltiy may be a deductible that may need to be satisfied, co-insurance required by your insurance plan, copays that should have been paid at the time of service or non covered charges by your insurance.
ROBOTIC SURGERY
What is a robot and who is doing the surgery?
The robot is a surgical instrument that has no independent function. Your surgeon is in control 100% and is in control of small instruments that allow your surgeon to provide precision surgery using small incisions is complete 3D visualization
Why robotic surgery?
Although robotic surgery is not possible for all procedures, our surgeons are leading the country in robotic surgery. They are able to perform complex surgery using small cuts which in turn means less pain and faster recovery to get you back to your normal routine.
What is robotic surgery and laparoscopic surgery and laser surgery?
Laser surgery was the earliest terminology that became well known many years ago to describe laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is surgery performed through small cuts but was limited by the instruments that can be utilized and the complexity of what can be performed. Robotic surgery is the latest evolution of laparoscopic surgery allowing extremely delicate and complex surgeries using incisions less than a third of an inch.
What is a robot and who is doing the surgery?
The robot is a surgical instrument that has no independent function. Your surgeon is in control 100% and is in control of small instruments that allow your surgeon to provide precision surgery using small incisions is complete 3D visualization
Why robotic surgery?
Although robotic surgery is not possible for all procedures, our surgeons are leading the country in robotic surgery. They are able to perform complex surgery using small cuts which in turn means less pain and faster recovery to get you back to your normal routine.
What is robotic surgery and laparoscopic surgery and laser surgery?
Laser surgery was the earliest terminology that became well known many years ago to describe laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is surgery performed through small cuts but was limited by the instruments that can be utilized and the complexity of what can be performed. Robotic surgery is the latest evolution of laparoscopic surgery allowing extremely delicate and complex surgeries using incisions less than a third of an inch.
WEIGHT LOSS
How long does it take to schedule surgery after I meet with doctor for the first time?
Usually around 6 months. The best results are when a comprehensive approach is utilized. Usually this starts with the initial consultation followed by nutritional counseling and a supervised diet in addition to psychological evaluation and exercise physiology.
How long is follow up after surgery?
We routinely see patients every few weeks immediately after surgery and then every 3-6 months and slowly extend that out over 5 years.
What is the success rate in achieving weight loss?
Every situation is highly variable, but for our most common procedures, this can be as high as 70-80%
How long does it take to schedule surgery after I meet with doctor for the first time?
Usually around 6 months. The best results are when a comprehensive approach is utilized. Usually this starts with the initial consultation followed by nutritional counseling and a supervised diet in addition to psychological evaluation and exercise physiology.
How long is follow up after surgery?
We routinely see patients every few weeks immediately after surgery and then every 3-6 months and slowly extend that out over 5 years.
What is the success rate in achieving weight loss?
Every situation is highly variable, but for our most common procedures, this can be as high as 70-80%
VARICOSE VEINS
Is varicose vein therapy considered cosmetic?
Usually not! An Ultrasound is needed to diagnose venous insufficiency. Often times this condition can lead to pain, ulcers and frequent infection. So venous insufficiency therapy is not considered cosmetic and it is approved by many insurance companies
Do I need general anesthesia to do varicose vein procedure?
No, they are office procedures done with local anesthetic. Most patients can drive to and from the procedure.
Can restless leg syndrome be from varicose veins?
Yes, however an ultrasound would be needed to make the diagnosis.
Is varicose vein therapy considered cosmetic?
Usually not! An Ultrasound is needed to diagnose venous insufficiency. Often times this condition can lead to pain, ulcers and frequent infection. So venous insufficiency therapy is not considered cosmetic and it is approved by many insurance companies
Do I need general anesthesia to do varicose vein procedure?
No, they are office procedures done with local anesthetic. Most patients can drive to and from the procedure.
Can restless leg syndrome be from varicose veins?
Yes, however an ultrasound would be needed to make the diagnosis.
BREAST CANCER
Breast cancer…now what?
You will meet with a team who frequently treat breast cancer. They will explain every step of the process to remove and treat the cancer. Usually the team consists of a breast surgeon, plastic surgeon, medical and radiation oncologist, radiologists and pathologists to obtain a complete picture of your care. We have a team approach so our patients can achieve the best outcome.
Breast cancer…is this a death sentence?
Absolutely not! Nowadays there are a lot of improvements in the therapy and treatments that enable women can live for years after their diagnosis.
Breast cancer does this mean mastectomy to remove the breast?
Absolutely not! Every patient is an individual approach. Often times, this depends on the size of the mass and breast volume. Majority of patients are candidates for breast conserving options often treated with lumpectomy and radiation.
Will my breast be deformed?
Using the latest techniques and technologies, incisions often can be “hidden” and oncoplastic techniques are utilized to move breast tissue to retain natural contour and appearance to the breast.
Breast cancer, how often does this occur (what is the incidence)?
About 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
Breast cancer…now what?
You will meet with a team who frequently treat breast cancer. They will explain every step of the process to remove and treat the cancer. Usually the team consists of a breast surgeon, plastic surgeon, medical and radiation oncologist, radiologists and pathologists to obtain a complete picture of your care. We have a team approach so our patients can achieve the best outcome.
Breast cancer…is this a death sentence?
Absolutely not! Nowadays there are a lot of improvements in the therapy and treatments that enable women can live for years after their diagnosis.
Breast cancer does this mean mastectomy to remove the breast?
Absolutely not! Every patient is an individual approach. Often times, this depends on the size of the mass and breast volume. Majority of patients are candidates for breast conserving options often treated with lumpectomy and radiation.
Will my breast be deformed?
Using the latest techniques and technologies, incisions often can be “hidden” and oncoplastic techniques are utilized to move breast tissue to retain natural contour and appearance to the breast.
Breast cancer, how often does this occur (what is the incidence)?
About 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
