Vocational Rehab

Has anyone here in South Florida had WLS paid for by a vocational rehab organization? I am trying to find one which someone has used in the past. I am prepared to go through the red tape but was hoping to make the process a bit easier by going somewhere that isn't going to give me as much flack as other might. Also, I would love to hear others' experiences and any advice for dealing with vocational rehab. I am trying to find a new job whose insurance covers WLS but haven't had much luck yet. So I figure I'd better start looking for other routes. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated! Kate

GOOD LUCK AND I HOPE YOU HAVE BETTER LUCK THAN WHAT I'M HAVING WITH THEM... I'M HAVING A HARD TIME WITH THEM HELPING ME WITH THE SURGERY. I WENT TO 3 LOCAL FLORIDA OFFICES IN HILLSBROUGH COUNTY AND THEY ALL TELL ME THE SAME THING, THAT THEY ARE NO LONGER PAYING FOR THIS SURGERY, BECAUSE CLIENTS GET IT DONE AND THEY NEVER FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE PROGRAM BY GETTING EMPLOYED AFTER THEIR SURGERY. I'M 5'5 400LBS AND HAVE A FEW MEDICAL PROBLEMS AND REALLY NEED THIS SURGERY TO HELP ME GET MY LIFE BACK.... I'M AT MY WITS END AND ABOUT TO THROW IN MY TOWEL. BEST LUCK TO YA! AMBER

I went through 2 years of absolute hell, jumping through Voc Rehab hoops. They are supposed to pay for WLS, but they really don't have the budget for it. Of course, they don't want you to know this is the case... Why? I don't know, but you are better off trying for Medicaid, or the Health Department. I only know of one surgeon in FL taking Medicaid, and he's in Ft Lauderdale. I am willing to travel. I am willing to do anything after 2 years of torture with Voc Rehab. Avoid esp. the Tampa office. I won't name names, but they pretty much all wear their egos on their sleeves.

I was trying to go through Voc Rehab but they seemed to be no help. After about seven months of red tape, they wanted me to go through weekly psychological counseling, Registered Dietrician, and Physical therapist for one year or longer. Then they MIGHT pay for the surgery. My family just decided to pull all resources and pay for it with Dr. Sosa in Hialeah--very good Dr for cheaper than most. The only thing I can help you with for Voc Rehab is to get a letter from your personal Dr that you have to have this surgery ASAP and you can't go on possible problems you will have you have to go on problems you have now that weight loss will fix. Good Luck and call them all the time or they forget about you!

Well I have to disagree with all of you. Vocational Rehab paid for my surgery in 2004. It took me a year of red tape and proving my case to get the surgery. However I did get it. I have kept up with my end of the deal and have worked a little. What I running into now is an oder from my panni. So I am now seeing if they will remove it. I however will be the first. Again the first in my area. Go to Dr. Haicken's site . He is the Dr. for this area that does the surgery for Voc Rehab. There are several people there that has had the surgery even within the last month and I know of 3 other people going through them. So as far as they not doing it. Is wrong. They are. I all depends on how you go about asking for it. There is NO requirements as far as income. You must be willing to go back to work or it must impeed you from you doing your job prpoerly. Oh I did ask my doctor if they stopped paying for the surgery. He laughed and said they are still paying...... So go to his site and read...........Dr. Barry Haicken Look up Margret Smith's profile. She sued Voc Rehab and won. She had the surgery a few month's back. My advise is to do your homework. To 1 person that replied I offered for her to call me. No word from her.... Best of luck.....

Kate I would also have to disagree with some of the above responses. I how ever am in pasco county not hillsborough so may make all the diffrence in the world. I had surgery on May 13th and Voc Rehab paid for it . I will do everything I need to do for them. It took about a year and lots of hoop jumping but in the end it will all be worth it to get my life back! I am not sure where you are located but I certainly will be praying for you. Wishing you the best Linda R