I need help

I need help finding a doc that takes medicare and will preform surgery on a person with a BMI of 81.5----- My name is Angie, I'm a 32 yr old woman with a BMI of 81.5 and my health problems are as follows: high blood pressure sleep apena diabetis degenaritive arthritis high colestrol nuropathy in my feet depression Today I was turned down for the 2nd time by a surgeon who I thought would preform surgery on me. When I called his office the first thing I asked was if they did patients over 450 lbs because the hospitals around my home do not. The answer was yes they do patients up to 800 lbs. So my hopes were high and I was very excitied to get this done. I got a phone call about an hour ago saying that the doctor will not preform surgery on me do to my BMI and underlying health problems. So once again my hopes are smashed. I have all the preop testing done and am well aware of the risks and complications that could occur with this surgery. That is a chance I am willing to take. It's either surgery or die for me. I weight 534 lbs and am 5'8" tall. I am really starting to lose my hope for having this surgery. I know this is the tool I need to lose my weight and stay reasonably healthy. I have been over weight since I was 2 so I've never known what it's like to be skinny and DO NOT have the desire to be skinny. I just want to be healthy and walk and live my life again. Thanks for any and all advice---and yes I have been searching and searching and searching....

Hi there!! I don't know how much help this might be but I know my surgeon has done surgery on some pretty high BMI's with major health risks. His  name is Dr. Jawad and he is in Ocala Florida. His number is 352-351-5770. I'm not sure if he still takes the medicare, but I think the other surgeon in the practice does. He is a Center of Excellence. Also have you thought about contacting the doctors on that show BIG MEDICINE?? They have done surgeries on people with high BMI's. Not sure if they deal with medicare though. I hope this helps you some. Good luck to you! And don't ever give up!! There's gotta be someone out there to help you!! Jo Ann

Morning Angie! I'm so sorry for your situation, unfortunately I don't have any information that can help you.  There was a recent post about medicare, not sure if there's any information in those that could help you.  If you haven't already done so, repeat your post on some of the other forums...a wider audience might have more insight. You're in my thoughts, hoping you can find help soon!

Hi Angie, Im sorry youve been going thru it with your efforts, I feel like I am too alot of ins woes but I have medicare & know for a fact Dr Jawad does not take it. He has a partner in his office that does though his name is Dr Shebani. Check with their office for more b/c I am just starting this process & dont know alot myself. Good Luck to you :)

Hi Angie, I too am a patient of Dr Jawads.  He does not do Medicare anymore but his partner does.  Please give them a call and hopefully you will have reason to be on your way to weight  loss. I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.  Good luck carole

While I'm the biggest supporter of Dr. Jawad that you will ever find, he does not accept Medicare and with a high BMI like you have, I would not suggest you go to a doctor who has not done lots and lots and lots of surgeries.  May I suggest you check with Dr. Neil Hutcher in Virginia??  You need to have a surgeon who is well experienced with patients with very high BMIs.  Don't put your life into inexperienced hands as you have special needs.   This is of course, no offense to Dr. Shebani.  I do not believe he has experience on patients with BMIs as high as yours, and you can certainly check with the office.

You can call Dr. Keith Kim in Celebration (Orlando) 407.303.4504. The hospital and anesthesia take Medicare, but Dr. Kim is opted out. So if you can pay the surgeon's fee, you are in luck.

Otherwise, Dr Robert Marema in St. Augustine is another worthy choice. Flagler Hospital is working to be Medicare approved.

Both surgeons are with US Bariatric Orlando, both have experience with BMIs like yours.

HTH,

Kristen

I don't know anyone off the top of my head, but I have a friend that lost more about 300 lbs after surgery.  She is a nurse and I think she knows a lot of people with high BMIs (starting BMIs) that had the rny.  I will ask her what surgeons she knows.  She is in Michigan.  You hang in there.  We are here for you and you are not alone.  I will look for you and see what I can find.  Meanwhile call the numbers and doctors the other suggested.  I have Medicare and I had surgery with Dr Marema.  The hospital accepted the Medicare, but I had to pay the surgeon's fee (I'm broke and in debt now, lol, but my health is better).  I do not know about high risk patients though.  The American Society for Bariatric Surgery is where I began my journey.  Their web site is http://www.asbs.org.  That is a good resource. 

I will get back to you by Monday with any information that I discover.   Cast your cares on Him for He cares for you.   God bless you! Elizabeth 

Hi Angie! I'm sorry you're being turned down but you keep trying ok! There is an answer out there you just have to find it. I had the VSG procedure in Feb this year, unfortunately I'm not able to give you any information about medicare doctors, but maybe with another procedure you may have more luck. The VSG is the first part of the duodenal switch which was later discovered that could be a stand alone procedure. It is usually performed on patients with high BMI's then later when the patient has a lower BMI the procedure is completed. In the mean time you have the restriction to begin loosing weight. Feel free to PM me if I can help. Hugs Maria M. 303.5/229/124.5

Hi.  Getting back to you as promised.  You may want to try calling the University of Chicago.  I read an article about rny vs ds operations and they mentioned very high bmi's.  Sometimes the hospital will take medicare and not the surgeon as in my case.  I paid the surgeon's fee by refinancing my home and then the hospital and anesthesiologist were $1000 after medicare paid it's part.  I know that medicare does not pay very much, so that is why many surgeons will not accept it.  You may try going to your state vocational rehab program.  They will pay for your surgery if you need it to return to work.   Another idea would be to get a list of surgeons from the american society of bariatric surgery and mail all of them what u typed above and see who bites.   Did u try contacting the American Society of Bariatric Surgery?  What is the status of your research now?  Any luck finding anything new out?  Stay in touch and don't get overwhelmed and depressed (I know easier said than done).  Take baby steps.  Maybe explore an inpatient weight control facility to help you get your bmi into a safer range for surgery?   Don't give up. U r in my prayers, Elizabeth