:( I just keep getting rejected....

I have been trying to get this surgery now for 4 years....and I just keep finding road blocks.  I found a doc that accepts medicaid, but after the consult and not being able to find ANY information on him except for a few poor reviews on this site I decided he is not the one that I would trust my life with.  He isn't even a member of the ASBS.  Albert Gilman. Instead I've been searching for "THAT DOCTOR" that even just by reading I feel comfortable with...and I found him....Constantine Frantzides....my heart jumped with joy.  He just "felt" like the one.  I like to go with my gut instincts on things, and so far I have never been wrong.  My gut is telling me this is the man that will change my life, this is the man that honestly cares about helping the obese americans to become healthy and is not just in it for the money....and the patient testimonials speak even more to that truth. Then I find out that people that have medicaid have had the surgery done with him...at this point I am floating.  I knew I shouldn't have gotten too happy...my cloud was burst and now im on the ground dazed and confused.  He does not take medicaid, u have to pay his fees prior to surgery....at least $7,500.  I can't do that.  I have been online desperatley searching for financing and every single place I have went to I have been denied.   I am young, I have 2 kids, little to no credit history and this just isn't going to happen!  I am about to the point of giving up.  Why doesn't medical card cover GOOD doctors, why do they only cover shady docs that are only in it for the money and make u feel uncomfortable in your own skin??   I am 22years old and all i want out of life is to watch my kids grow!  I don't want to die at 24...I want to live life, I want to experience life and all it has.  I was to play sports and walk on the beach and go to the amusement park and do everything that my daughter wants me to do....instead I'm forced to look into her teary eyes YET AGAIN as I tell her that mommy can't do it becauase I'm too big/tired/in pain.  I can't keep doing this...something has got to give.... Why is it that this day in age, a person who OBVIOUSLY needs the surgery, who docotrs have told over and over again to look into it, to do it, just cannot find the means to get it done?  Its like im standing there is a big inpenitrable wall between me and my goal.  Why can't I tear it down???? I'm sorry, I'm just venting and im very upset.....:(  thanks for listening

Doesn't Dr Oliphant (I think he is near Champaign/Urbana) take the card? Does medicaid have a contact number that can give you a list of approved doctors? Christine

My doc got me into see the docs at Barnes earlier then I did, do you have a doc that can get you into them? Dee

Hi A friend of mine used Dr Dong Kim in Kankakee she loved him. she is on medicaid so i know he accepts  it...heres his info ...hope this helps.  

Name:	Dong Kim, M.D.
Phone:	(815) 933-2221
Email:	[email protected]

It sounds like some people have given you some good advice, already.  I hang around on the duodenal switch message board, since I am hoping to have the DS, and some people have been talking about private pay options there. I'm not sure if you have tried the following options yet:  a) One mentioned getting a peer-to-peer loan of up to $25,000 from the following web site: www.prosper.com. I guess you put your info in and people "bid" on the opportunity to give you the loan, based on your story and credit. b) Another person suggested getting a college loan. Here is her post: For anyone looking for options, you can also consider a student loan.  If you already have a BA or BS, you can go into a graduate program. It's very easy to qualify for close to $20,000 for 1 year of study, you only have to take 2 classes per term to qualify as full time in most cases, and no one says you have to graduate after the government loans you the money for surgery!  And, the interest rates are pretty awesome, too. Hope this helps and good luck! Nicolle

You certainly are right about Dr. frantzides being THE BEST. I truly hope you can figure out a way to have him do your surgery.Have you tried carecredit.com? It is an interest free loan for medical procedures. Good luck

Shar

Have you considered surgery in Mexico? I doubt they take Medicaid but they are about 1/2 the price of surgery in the US. I was a self pay because my insurance wouldn't cover surgery and I was planning on going to Dr. Rhorscheib in CLinton,IL for the Lap Band. His costs were $15,500 and I couldn't get accepted for a loan that big. Sooo I went to Tijuana, Mexico and paid $7500 +$600 airfare for my husband and I. $7500 included surgery, doctors fees, 2 nights in the hospital, 2 nights in a hotel to recover before traveling, and ground transportation to and from the San Deigo airport. I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Kuri. Most people have negative conceptions about Mexico but after having gone there I would not have even wanted to have the surgery in the US even if I could have afforded it. Plus it only took 1 month from when I called to make the appointment that I had a surgery date.  I didn't see what surgery you were wanting to have but there are several doctors that do Lap Band, RNY, and other surgeries. You can Check the "find a surgeon" section for Docs in Mexico. I would be happy to share more details of my surgery/mini vacation if you have any questions. :) Sarah

so im still looking for something....hopefully i'll find something soon...

HELLO JACQUELINE I JUST READ YOUR POST ABOUT NEEDING A SURGEON AND HAVING MEDICAID. I ALSO LIVE IN GRANITE AND MEDICAID PAID FOR MY SURGERY IF YOU ARE STILL NEEDING A SURGEON OR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE MESSAGE ME, MY PROCESS WAS NOT THAT LONG OR VERY COMPLICATED BUT I DID HAVE TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO FOR MY SURGERY SO THERE WAS SOME COST WITH MOTEL AND TRAVEL EXPENSES... IT IS CHEAPER IN THE WINTER AND EARLY SPRING FOR LODGING... AGAIN IF YOU WANT ANY HELP LET ME KNOW...GENA