RE: CHOOSING BETWEEN DR. WELKER & DR. KESHISHIAN

[Guest guest]

Hull wrote:

Both of these Dr's have done a comparable number of surgeries (a

little more than 100). Dr. K is newer at the lap (just started), so

that could be a consideration if you want it done laproscopically.

I hope to have lap, but we'll see.

Check if Dr. W has a " program fee " , Dr K's is $2000 (this is not

covered by insurance). Also, are they both in network?

Dr. K accepts Blue Cross PPO. Dr. W should be

accepting Blue Cross by mid-September. (Just talked

to him by phone this evening and he assured me that

was true!!! Yeah!!) Now, we just need to get BC to

ok the procedure.

Blue Cross told me (don't have it in writing yet) that

IF I chose an OUT-OF-STATE SURGEON, and

IF they were to cover the procedure, and IF the

surgeon accepts BLUE CROSS, then they would

pay the regular 80% (just as if he we " in state " ).

Dr. K and his wife Dawn have been very helpful in swapping journal

papers with me for my " letter to Aetna " . They are both very kind.

They have setup a brand new wing in Delano with all single occupancy

rooms that are the size of double rooms. Dawn says that the hospital

has purchased all of the modern Bariatric equipment that Dr. K has

requested. Dr K's statistics are good, though he has not yet

published them.

Dr. K's staff has been wonderful over the phone. So

far, Dr. W's staff has been luke-warm but he said they

are a bit under-staffed and are getting about 30 calls

a day about WLS.

I know less about Dr. Welker, but am anxious to find out. If he is

responsive to my e-mail today than that will be a good sign. He has a

great reputation; however, one of the members on this list did die

after having surgery with Dr. W - I think it was a PE. He was a very

high risk patient.

He said he did get and has scanned your e-mail. He

already had most of it but there were a couple that

were new to him. He's hoping to review it more

closely a.s.a.p.

I know a bit about the man who died; just what I

read from these posts. Very sad. What is PE?

I asked Dr. W if he would make sure I didn't die or

have major complications. He said he would do

EVERYTHING he could to prevent anything bad

from happening to me. (Well, ya gotta ask 'em, right?)

I think that both of these surgeons are top notch on patient care and

bedside manner, and have moderate experience.

I have had nothing but GLOWING reports about

both men. I have not spoken with Dr. K, but have

talked to Dr. W twice over the phone. He is VERY

NICE and answered every question (even some that

were maybe a bit pre-mature) openly and thoughtfully.

If you are a revision or a super high risk patient then I think you

might want to consider more experienced surgeons such as Anthone,

Rabkin, or Hess. If you are moderate risk then either of these

surgeons would make an excellent choice.

I'd say I fall into the 2nd category. BMI 55 age 49.

Read my posts on " The California Surgeons " a couple of weeks back. I

will update this post as soon as I learn more about Dr. Welker. Being

in Eugene he is practically in California, so I think a comparison

would be interesting.

For some reason, I can't find that post but I do remember

reading it. Yes, please, add Dr. W to the list.

I believe I have made my decision--although it was a

difficult one since so many things are equal.

Anything you can do to get Blue Cross on board will

be appreciated by many, including me!

As always, thank you for your input.

Shirley in Arcata, CA