I NEED YOUR HELP NC

Hi friends, I hope you are well. I really really really need your help on this one. I have a wonderful friend of mine that is needing wls very badly. He is in the super mobid obese catagory with a BMI of 54. I know his insurance will pay for his surgery. The problem is, I do not know of any surgeons in North Carolina that will do the surgery on a man that is in that catagory. He went to see my surgeon but my surgeon only does lap and cannot do it on him. Please everyone, my friend really needs this surgery bad. If you know of any surgeons in NC that will do the operation on him, please let me know. It does not matter whether it is open or lap. He is the sweetest man in the world, and I cannot bear to see what will happen to him without wls.

My Docs at Duke don't have a problem w/ mine at 52.5. They said they prefer not to do lap on patients over 400 pounds, but will consider it. Luckily I am under 400. Duke has an excellent program w/ aftercare follow-ups. Best of luck, Lori M.

Cassandra, Please read the thread that starts wiht a post a couple of days ago by Pat C. She also has had problems finding a surgeon. She had many suggestions, but one in particular will interests you about Dr. Kellam. Pat

Hi, please check the profile of Mary Ann Loreman, she found a great doctor in Fayetteville, who does the surgery on larger BMI's. Also you can try the Doctor's in Morehead City, but they only do open RNY. Atlantic Surgical Associates (Dr. BEll or Dr. Marson) (252)247-2101. Hope your friend finds a good surgeon. Take care Anke

HI...Just to let you know... Dr. Cook in Hickory did my friends surgery (lap rny) and the BMI was 63. He did mine also... I can't say enoungh about Dr. Cook and the Hickory Surgerical Weight Loss Program...

Thank you friends for your help. I also followed up on Pat. C's journey, it sounds almost exactly like my friend. I will give this information to him, and I know it will renew his spirit. Thank you again friends, you are all wonderful. Love, Cassandra

The only issue that Duke has about doing the surgery for larger patients is for patients over 400 lbs, and it is because they don't have the equipment to do the necessary studies for patients over 400 pounds. If the patient is under 400 pounds with a high BMI, that would not automatically disqualify him. Good luck with your search! With kindest regards, Donna Earley

Try Dr. Mitchell in Pinehurst. I've heard wonderful things about him, and he takes patients that no one else will take. Jill

Maria, I had an open RNY with Dr. Vaughn in December of 2004. Personally, I think he is absolutely excellent, as is Dr. Boe and all of the Barix nursing staff. If you have any questions, you can read my profile or email me. Terry

Dr. Mitchell will take him I have a bmi of 80 and he is doing mine on Feb 19 I must also add that he and his staff and support groups are WONDERFUL!!!!! Kim Speaks