HELLO NEW to this Group from Polo, IL

Hi, I am a single mom of 4 kids. I was gonna have surgery last year...June 2003 but they stopped taking my Insurance two weeks before my scheduled surgery I no longer have insurance and currently have a Medicaid Card. I really don't want to have to go to Chicago or Peoria if I can get approved. I am seriously seeking out surgery. I am only 5'2" and weigh 301lbs. My mother is almost blind from diabetes and my grandma died from complications of weight/diabetes. I don't want to wind up this way. I am 33. Any suggestions on where to proceed. I go tomorrow to get blood work results from a diabetes testing and thyroid. I am asthmatic, high blood pressure, and joint pain. I also have fibromyalgia. Thanks for any help/info./emotional support, Katie

Hello!! I just wanted to welcome you to the Il board where you will find we are all very friendly!! I am not able to help with insurance info how ever there are a few on here that have the same insurance as you!! I just wanted to wish you the best of luck if you have any question feel free to ask marsha 319/169/?

I'm not quite sure where Polo is, but I'm going to Champaign to Dr. Oliphant for my surgery. He accepts the medical card. There's a Dr. Ray in Indiana that accept the medical card also- he does Lap-RNY. Deb or Michelle will have to tell you exactly where in IN. I wish you the best and if you ever need to talk, please feel free to e-mail me!!! Lora

Polo is Near Dixon, IL. With the surrounding towns of Dixon, Sterling, Oregon, Mt. Morris, Forreston. I see some people had surgery in Freeport, but none had a medical card, I will definitely be checking that out. Chapaign is over 3 hours from me. Chicago over 2 and Peoria over 2. I WILL go these directions If I HAVE to. However, with having 4 kids, and one with Tourette's and many appointments, having to do follow ups this far away would be really hard. I am SINGLE therefore would be a juggle for surgery and after to have rides to take me that far. Yes, I have a friend who says she would do this, But she does day care full-time and really would be difficult. Well any ideas are greatly appreciated, and thanks for your caring answers. I AM nervous about the idea of surgery, because I am all my kids have. Thinking of someone I would be comfortable raising my kids is a hard thing. Most of my family I would NOT want to. Part of why I WANT the surgery so I CAN be here for them and not just a mom on a couch or chair in pain. I WANT to play with them. I truly try to. We go to White Pines state Park and walk the mile,,,,,, And BOY does that kill me. Would be wonderful to enjoy myself and my kids not have to keep coming back to check on me, and say need help mom? Well anyhow.....Sorry for the book, Anyone feel free to e-mail me or catch me on IM, I think they post it here. If not just ask me and I'll reveal it Blessings, Katie

Hi Katie: Welcome to Obesity Help!!! You will find a lot of support here. I have become addicted. Well, I have Medicaid. I tried for well over a year to find someone who would accept the Medical card and was not having any luck. I went to a seminar last summer at UIC. They had said on the phone that they accept Medicaid. Well after an hour ride, parking fees, and then a 2 hour seminar, (not to mention getting all excited), they announced afterward that they were not accepting any new Medicaid patients at this time. Boy did I storm out of there!!! I found a place back in June that said they would take me as a pilot case for Medicaid if I could get prior approval from Medicaid. I asked how do I do this and they said to have my PCP send in the necessary forms. Well, with my hopes up once again I went to see my doctor and asked her to do this. She said she had no idea what forms they were referring to. She said generally the surgeon gives the patient certain forms and requirements that a physician has to fill out or perform. So, after being disappointed yet another time, I asked her if she had any patients who had gotten the surgery with Medicaid. She said she had only one. I asked her if she knew who performed it and she went and pulled the file and then called the patient and gave me the surgeons name and number. She also said that I could pay $6300 and get the surgery right away, with Medicaid paying for the hospitalization, or I could get on the waiting list at Rush Hospital and it would take about 1 year or more. Well I got an appt with the Dr. (Frantzides) on July 30th and I went. I was told that he was no longer in network for Medicaid and could not bill them, however I could pay $6300 (this is only half of his fee, he writes off the other half) and have Medicaid pay for the hospitalization, anesthesia, and preoperative testing. Well, there is no way I would be able to come up with that, but my mom was with me and she called my stepdad and they agreed to pay for it. (It is coming out of my inheritance early) So, I got a surgery date of August 31st. It was a bit overwhelming to me and still is...but tomorrow is the big day! I can't wait to start my new life! Oh and by the way...I am having surgery at Evanston Northwestern Hospital in Evanston and that is over a 2 hour drive from me, so I can understand your concerns. I worry about if I have any complications a few months down the road will I have to travel all the way back there. My car is not stable and my mom is taking me for the surgery, but my mom goes back to Arizona for the winter in the middle of October...but I know if I have to I will just have to find a ride. Anyway, I would suggest to you to check the teaching hospitals in your area. If that does not pan out maybe you can save the money to pay the surgeons fee. Good luck to you and I hope everything works out. Feel free to email me or even call. (email me and I will give you the #) Joy

Hi Katie! I wish you all the best on this journey, and although I don't have any answers, I'll be thinking of you! This is a wonderful group, and I hope someone can help! Katie

Hi Katie. I had my WLS in Freeport and live not too far from you near Pecatonica. If I can be of any help please ask. I'll keep you in my prayers.

All Ready people are beginning to bless me with their wonderful understanding and support. I found out at the doctor today that I do not have diabetes, however I am insulin resistant. so..my list is: fibromyalgia water retention/swelling in legs/ pitting edema (lasix) asthma high blood pressure fatigue insulin resistance Well I will continue to hope and pray I can find a doctor. My primary care physician (or shall I say nurse practitioner) says she will gladly write me a referral if I can find a doctor willing to do it. She however knows of none, nore does she know if I meet the criteria. Blessings, Katie