Hey all

Hi everyone, I'm recently new to this forum, and I'm recently new to south carolina, I moved here from florida 6 months ago. and I have been really thinking hard about weight loss surgery, I've had a few friends of mine do it and I've seen their success stories. I've been struggling all my life with morbid obesity, I'm 26 years old, male, and I've been looking around for some doctors near me, I live in Aiken County, on the border almost between GA and SC.. I have depression, and have medicare and medicaid of south carolina.. I been trying to find doctors and calling them to see what I would have to pay, what insurance they take, the majority have said they dont take medicaid and that I would probably be liable for some part, 20% maybe? with medicare? not sure.. I called medicare up and they said that was for outpatient and not inpatient, so I dont know who is right or wrong, I called South Carolina Obesity Surgery Center, I've called T. Karl Byrne office and she had no clue if they took medicaid too, I think she said medicare only, I also read on here that Byrne was phazing out medicaid.. I had good success with Blair Rowitz, but the nurse/receptionist said that they are going through a phase where they need to be approved for Center of Excellence approval or something to that effect, and that they arent taking any new medicare patients till that happens, she says it could be a few months. I've had a glimmer of hope with Rowitz, but he is about 3 hours away and I guess I was trying to see if I could get someone closer to home that took both medicare and medicaid, Any of you in the Aiken-Augusta area have any tips or suggestions for me that have gone down this road?, or any SC'ers that want to share any tips or suggestions?... I have a heart doctor, I am seeing a therapist, I do not at the time have a primary care physician, as I have recently moved into the area.. I have been searching for a good primary care doctor and if anyone has any suggestions to who I might be able to see I'm all ears. I figure I would need to get setup with a dietician and document my diet and eating as well, I have giving this alot of thought and I really want to go through with it, I have never in my life been a normal weight, My relationships have suffered, my body has suffered, I have shortness of breath, My heart races easily, there are times when I question whether or not I will see tommorow. This is my last chance at a life, and I am frustrated cause I am not getting anywhere, I'm still fighting, still calling around asking questions, I hope to have the surgery very soon as I feel it would save my life.. I am sorry this post has been very long, I had to get some things off my chest I guess, and as a new member I thought I would share some things about me.. I hope to talk to you all more and hope everyone is having a good day. -Scott Rose

Hey Scott!!! I hope you are doing well. I live in Lexington County almost in Pelion. My doctor is Dr. *****ett and I believe he accepts medicare/medicaid. He is also a Circle of Excellence member. Look at palmettohealth.com and go to hospital services and click on weight management and see what he has to offer. Let me know if this helps! Good Luck!! Jodie

Thank you Kathy and Jodie for the encouraging words, Jodie it is weird of you to say that about Dr. *****ett, a few minutes after I made my post I had checked out the "American Society for Bariatric Surgery" and looked at it one last time and clicked on Dr. *****ett. It took me to the page and I got the phone number, I called them and the receptionist answered a few questions, and they do indeed take medicare and medicaid both, she says they are having a seminar June 20th, I'm not really sure how to start the process yet, I guess I would start at the seminar and go from there.. -Scott

Hey, that is awesome. I just went to a seminar on June 6th and it will answer A LOT of questions for you! That is your first step---go to the seminar and after that they will schedule an appointment for you to have a consultation with Dr. *****ett. And he is a VERY nice man. And about a family doctor...mine is Dr. Sean Fuller at Irmo Family Practice and he is the same Dr that referred me to Dr *****ett. I HIGHLY recommend him!!! His number is 803-749-0693. Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing! Jodie

Hi Scott- I don't have any suggestions for you, but I wanted to wish you well on your search. I don't regret having the surgery one tiny bit and I think if I had to do it all over again and they told me I had to drive 3 hours to place that would do it, I would! Of course, this is your journey and you are the one that needs to feel 100% comfortable with it. Good Luck! Kathy

hi scott, i'm new to the forum as well. i am 24 days post-op and very glad i was referred to this site. i have lost 31.4lbs since surgery (well as of 6/6) and a total of 41.6 lbs. since starting opti-fast. it does work. it isn't easy but it does work. i, much like you, thought i had to do a lot of "diet documentation" before i even talked to a surgeon. you don't. they will handle everything. my doctor is in the greenville area but he is good. not too much on the bed-side manner but he has all his ducks in a row. i started the program in march and had my surgery in may. it is that quick. of course it does depend on the type of medical coverage as to how fast things move. just don't give up. i felt the biggest burden lifted by just going to dr. bour's siminar. it sounds like dr. pickett (i think that was the name) runs things much like our practice. look at members on the site and click onto their doctors. you can get alot of info that way too. good luck and we are here for you!!

Hi Scott!!!! Welcome to the board!!!!! I hope that everything gets rolling for you. I know when I decided to have the surgery things couldn't move fast enough!!!! You will get tons of info from the board and support. Sorry, I don't have any doctor info for your area, but Dr. Bour in Greenville did mine and I couldn't be happier. Keep us posted on how things go!!! Melissa

Hey Scott, Welcome to the board. You will find a lot of support and hopefully answers to any questions that you have on here. I think that most doctors start you off with a seminar and then you will find out just what they require to get you started. I live in Spartanburg, and my doctor is Dr. Paul Ross. I am 4 months out, down 70 lbs and very pleased with my doctor and the staff here. I would do it again in a heartbeat!!! And just for your information.....The last I heard he does accept medicare and medicaid and I believe there is very little out of pocket that you have to pay. I'll keep you in prayer that you will find the right doctor for you and you can start LIVING!!! Hugs, Dianne

Hey Scott, I work for a Doctor here is Charleston and he asked pretty much the samething you have asked about Medicare and Medicaid. I called and asked Joyce about it and yes they do take Medicaid now. Since MUSC has become a Center Of Excellence, they pretty much have to. If you call back make sure you talk to Joyce. Good Luck in your journey Britt P.S Don't apologize to us, that's what we are here for!

Hey Scott A big, huge, SC Welcome to ya!!! I'm so glad you stopped by My husband and I moved to SC from Augusta, GA about 9yrs ago. He's retired Army and his last duty station was Ft. Gordon, GA. I'm not familar with the Drs. in your area, but I'm sure someone here will have the answers you're looking for. Since you're on the border of both states, have you thought about looking in GA? I know having to travel for surgery seminars, or WLS itself is not the ideal situation for you. But I say do what you have to do to get your life back. Hang In There!!! I think you're worth the effort and if it comes down to a fight, you're worth the fight too!!! So stay encouraged Scott, and know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! We all have a story to tell, and we're here for you if you need us. I'm 4 months post op and I would've tried (notice I said "tried") to scale Mt. Everest to have my surgery done if I had to. So Scott, I say do whatever it takes to live a happy full life, with no regrets, casue' we're all just passing through. Remember YOU'RE WORTH IT!!! Hugs from Greenville, Tonya