Illinois surgeons for people around 550 pounds?

I looked at a few surgeons. But from what I read... they had weight limits. One I would have to lose 300 pounds just to get the surgery to lose weight. If I could do that, I wouldn't need the surgery. I need a surgeon within a  two to 3 hour drive from Quincy, IL. I also have medicare.

Thank you for your time. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Lori

Try the Kane Group in Elk Grove Village and they also have a new office in Hoffman Estates. http://www.suburbansurgicalcare.com/?D=041203IL I for a fact know that they have done surgery on people larger than 550#s

Hi, Lori!

I don't want to throw a monkey wrench into your plans, but have you considered the duodenal switch (DS) surgery for weight loss? It works very well for most people who have 80-100 pounds to lose, but especially those with hundreds to lose, with very high BMIs (mine was mid-50s).

The post-op lifestyle is awesome (I can eat anything without dumping, sliming, etc. which can happen with other surgeries), the weightloss is great (I have lost 166 pounds in 10 months) and I don't need to worry about possible ulcers and taking NSAIDs. Plus, the chance of regain is low compared to other WLS, according to several published studies. 

I know Dr. Prachand at the University of Chicago does it and they accept Medicare. It may be a waiting list situation, but would definitely be worth the weight (ha, ha!).

If you'd like to learn more, please feel free to visit my profile and the DS Forum here to read more about it. I had my DS in San Francisco with Dr. Rabkin, but the U of C people are great!

Good luck!

Nicolle

I am considering everything. But I'm on medicare. So it depends on what they would pay for. Do they pay for that too?

Lori

Yes, our federal government got wise and starting paying for this a few years ago, so now lots of insurance companies follow suit. The hospital needs to be a Center of Excellence, which U of C is.

Dr. Prachand's bio and office info:

http://www.uchospitals.edu/physicians/vivek-prachand.html

I know a handful of people who had their DS through him and a few of them had Medicare.

I'd contact Prachand's office and find out the Medicare policy (how long is the waiting list, etc.)

Good luck!

Nicolle

UIC and the Kane Center are longer drives than you mentioned wanting to take.  Many folks here have had their surgery in one place and their after care in another.

I would say try UIC in Chicago.

DR Vitello does excellent work.  I weighed 485 when I went into his office,and I saw people who were there that had to be well over 600-700lbs.

It is a little bit more of a drive for you, but well worth it. I have lost over 50lbs in a month.

Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

or

DePaul Hospital in Missouri also.

I agree with Nicole that you check out all your options for the type of surgery that you might think will fit into your lifestyle. All surgeries have their good and bad points for each person's life style. Stay in touch on the board as to what is going on in your life as we are a surgery family and try to touch one another in one way shape or form.

What Christine says is true.  What you say about your ability to lose weight is also true.  Losing weight on a fixed income or possibly even having to get food from food pantries is extremely hard.  As wonderful as the folks are that run meals on wheels, food pantries and stuff are they are stretched also and the idea of helping someone lose weight by supplying them with SlimFast, Steak and fresh locarb veggies is a big stretch.  Most of there clients would also get really upset if that was what they gave them.  One size fits all seldom really fits anyone.