"Dr Pohl was the first surgeon to agree to take me on as a patient after a few in Boston and another in Providence flat out refused to treat me due to liver issues & low platelets...after the seminar in January 2010, I spoke with him briefly explaining my situation, I made an appointment to see him and his response was "CIGNA is NOT covering the VSG right now, it's true you would not qualify for the bypass, but you may qualify for the band and I would recommend that, but let's put you through the process & see what CIGNA says...perhaps they'll be approving the VSG by the time you get through the 6-moth waiting/testing period..." I had my mind set on VSG...9/26/10 the approval letter was issued, I received it 10/15/10...
Through all my testing and talking with others, as soon as I'd say Dr Pohl...hospital technicians, customers at my work, friends and others all said..."You have the right Doctor...he's amazing"...I gotta say I agree! Both he & Dr Giovanni marry their patients...you're a patient for life...they care and they'll let you know when you're screwing up (not that I have, I just know from others...LOL). I had him take care of a hernia Friday 7/1/11...I was at work Sunday 7/3...luckily I had Monday the 4th of July off! He's also consistently on the Top Doctors list published by RI Monthly.
I'm now the VSG Spokesperson at their Monthly Seminar (2nd Wednesday of the month) at Roger Williams Hospital. Funny thing...after I was refused at Miriam Hospital, I went onto CIGNA's website & Dr Pohl & Roger Williams Medical Center were the preferred providers...and at the time the ONLY Practice & Hospital designated as a Center of Excellence...they got that right! "
