You are about 45 minutes from Akron. Summa has a great support group. Information can be found at http://www.summahealth.org/home/medicalservices/Bariatric/ba riarticsupport;jsessionid=2Wh2QrdQX1JKBHLv7JNpRNVFfZf1v1FLRM TLcNwQFLn3D85yCH94!-1558557259. It is held on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm at the 55 Arch professional building at Summa Akron City Hospital. There are usually 50-70 people there.

You might also want to give Movin' Forward a try. This is a social group for post-ops. We hike, have dinner or so on social nights out. This Saturday we are going to a winery in Rootstown. 
http://www.meetup.com/MovinForward/

Hope to see you at a meeting.

Tom
Mogadore/Kent area

 Warren County?  I live in West Chester which is pretty close to parts of Warren County.  I am very close to Mason.  I go to the support groups at Mercy Fairfield. 

hi, bebbie i am from columbus oh, and any time you want to chat i am here.  and you have my support. i have not had my wls yet. but i will and i will need your support to lol. i may not get right back to you but i will get back.

Dr Patrick White

They accept Paramount Advantage (Medicaid). They do not accept Buckeye Community Health (Medicaid). I am not sure about Medicare

(419) 291-6777

Promedica Toledo Hospital Metabolic and Bariatric center

3909 Woodley Road, Toledo, OH 43606

They perform the surgery at the Toledo Hospital.

I was told that straight Medicaid does not pay for WLS but once you joing one of the managed care plans you can qualify. Hope this helps someone just starting off. I am scheduled for my surgery on 10-17-2012!

Ok, so today I recieved the packlet of papers from Premier Bariatrics in Dayton, Ohio with the Molina Healthcare bariatric surgery qualifications.
I will list their qualifications for surgery below.

1. 6 month physician supervised diet to include: Monthy weigth-in for consecutive months (No skipping Months). Type of diet must be notated. Exercise plan or increased activity plan. Behavior modification all completed by Primary care physician.

2. Primary care clearance form and a letter of medical necessity form your family physician stating your co-morbid conditions, diets that you have attempted, height, weight, and body mass index. This letter MUST be on your physician's letterhead. Also done by your physician.

3. Psychological evaluation: based on surgical weight loss procedure and psych. readiness.

4. 5 year weight history documented in physician progress notes. You must have the past 5 years. Also done by physician.

5. Cardiac and Pulmonary evaluation and clearance for surgery. Referals may be done by your physician.

6. Bloodwork specifically for: hypothyroidism ande H-Pylori. Done by your primary physician.

7. Drug testing: Drug and alcohol screen this labwork is done by you primary physician.

8. Nutritional evaluation: This will be arranged for you at your first visit with the surgeon ande is based on the type of procedure you have. This is set up at premier bariatrics after you have a consulation with the surgeon.


** NOTE**
In this paperwork, it did not mention how many co-morbid conditions are required per the BMI scale. I'm assuming that they do not require a specific number, though, I could be wrong.