Trying to find pro bono surgeon. Any advice?

I've worked in the medical field most of my adult life and I hate to bust your bubble, but unless you are a two headed baby or have some other type of really unique medical anomalies, the chances of you finding a surgeon willing to do pro-bono for WLS is probably less than zero.

Even if you could find a surgeon, there is the cost of the medical facility where the surgery is to be performed to also consider. 

I agree with what some of the others are advising, your time would probably be a lot better spent looking for a job with health insurance benefits. 

Good luck to you!!!

There are a group of doctors in Louisville that once a month they do surgeries for people who cannot afford them. I am not sure what all they do though. I know for a fact that they are plastic surgens but I am not sure what all they do for people. I have heard about the general surgeries but I am not sure what else. I will ask my husband and get the name for you

Hi my name is Lisa and I seen your post and was wondering if you found the name of the doctors and what they do?

Darlin', no one's going to give you WLS for free. Sorry, but it's just not going to happen.

 

Have you tried the route of Vocational Rehabilitation?  I've heard of people getting wls covered under those such programs.

I'm guessing you'd have to be disabled and the surgery would be necessary in order for you to return to the workforce?  That's mostly what Voc Rehab does, helps people with disabilities return to work.  If you're disabled, though, you'll  also qualify for Medicare which covers WLS.  You must be disabled for two years before you qualify for Medicare, though.

Kelly

Unfortunately, the likelihood of getting completely free WLS is almost non-existent. There are simply too many costs associated with the surgery (not to mention the costs of follow-up care and for any  complications you might have).

As others have pointed out, the surgeon's fee isn't the primary factor in the cost of the surgery... It is the hospital charges for the operating room time, equipment, and personnel... the various medications during and after surgery... the room, medication, and lab work charges for the post-op stay, etc. that comprises the vast majority of the cost of surgery. (The surgeon's fee may only be $4,000 whereas the hospital bill may be $40,000!)

Getting a job that provides insurance that covers WLS would be your best approach. If you are unemployed with children, wouldn't you be eligible for subsidized medical insurance under Obamacare?  Those plans generally don't cover WLS (but I have heard that some do, depending on whether you are in a state with its own exchange or are on the federal exchange). It would be worth checking into at least.

Lora

HI I KNOW IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE YOUR POST. I DID GET FREE LAPBAND. I WON FROM A WEBSITE CALLED BELIGHTER.COM I HAD TO GO TO MEXICO TO GET IT. I DIDNT GET ANY AFTER CARE ETC BUT THEY DID GIVE ME THE LAPBAND. THEY HAD CONTESTS ALL THE TIME BUT THIS WAS IN 2004. YOU MIGHT CHECK WITH THEM.

The only suggestion I have for you is to contact someone like Discovery Health and see if you can get some sort of a deal where they film you all through the process. I've seen a few documentaries like that, but I don't know if the total cost of the surgery was covered.

You have a BMI of 81---I'd think you can get on Social Security Disability and get Medicare. There's a two-year waiting period on Medicare, I think, but in the meantime you should qualify for Medicaid once you're considered disabled.

And I'd REALLY look into the DS!