fedup

hi new to the board so really don't know how to go about this.

How to go about what? Weight Loss Surgery? Posting on the message board? We're here to help no matter what.

well i just don't know how to start looking for a doctor who will take my insurance. i am on disability and i have medicare and medicaid. i have made a few calls but not getting any answers. i just figured they would agree to pay for the surgery instead of paying for all the medicines i am taking. and will probably be taking them the rest of my life if i don't do something about this weight. thanks for your reply its nice to know that there are other people that understand what i am going thru.

Hi Tammy, Welcome! How can we help? Let us know, don't be shy. The only dumb questions are the ones we don't ask Take Care, Terry

just trying to find out about the doctors around my area and if they accept medicare and medicaid. i guess i just get names of dactors and start calling. thanks for your reply it is very nice to know i have some support along the way. i know it is going to be a long journey but i am ready for it but i don't think i could do this alone. tammy

Hi Tammy, Tell us what you need we are willing to help you out. hugs, Cira

hi cira, thanks for your reply. it is nice to know there are people out there ready to help and support me through this journey i am about to take. i really don't think i could do this alone.i am just having trouble getting a list of doctors in my area that will accept medicare and medicaid. take care, tammy

Well, there's a number of things to do. The first is to join an online support group. Check that one off. I'm not as active in the Maryland forum as I'd like, but check in here a couple of times a week. All of the folks who post here are very nice and helpful. I read on your profile that you're looking for a doc who can take medicaid. I'm 90% sure that you will need to go through what is called a Bariatric Center of Excellence for that, a medicaid requirement. I believe the only current Bariatric Center of Excellence in the state is GBMC's program, but you might want to check with others on the message board about that. Next you want to research the kind of surgery you want to have. Again, insurance will sometimes dictate this. My insurance would only pay for RNY so that's what I had. There's also the lap-band and the Duedonal Switch (DS). There are forums on obesity help and an explaination of the different surgeries there as well. With the RNY it can be done open or laproscopically, depending on the patient and the doctor. Best advice I could give would be to read the profiles of the people on the boards. Look at the before and after pictures. Listen to the good and the bad and let that help guide your decision. I'm always available to email or respond to questions. Good luck Tammy. If you're interested you can read about some of my "journey" on my page at OH. -Daniel

good evening daniel, i did do a little more research on the medicaid and medicare and it seems like they will pay for it but i will give them a call tomorrow just to make sure and then i guess they can tell me about the doctors that do the surgery. i have a question, i have been looking at some of the profiles and it seems like most of them are having or have had the rny. i am considering the lap band. is the rny safer then the lap band? in your opinion of course. i know you aren't a doctor or anything.(that i know of) :) from what i have read on these surgeries the lap band seems safer and alot easier then any of the rest.hey thanks for the info. tammy

Hi Tammy, Daniel has given you the best advice! I would definitely check the orus and research the surgery you want done. Have you tried calling medicaid to see if they have a list of surgeons. Try calling GMBC and see if they accept your insurance? keep me posted! hugs, Cira