Desperate 20 year old with Medi-Cal, is there even a shred of hope in the world?

I am in tears as I type this. I am in tears alot as of late. I am 20 years old and on Medi-Cal. I live on my own in Eureka, California (northern). I work full-time at my minimum wage job (and am about to start a second min. wage job in the next week) I am 5'2 and have a BMI of 54. I have tried every diet under the sun, and have made, many, many lifestyle changes over the years. I have been trying relentlessly for years to lose weight with no progress whatsoever. I also might add that I may have PCOS, which doesn't make this any easier. I am depressed. I don't mean "oh, I'm sad because I'm fat and nobody likes me." So I do not want to hear snarky comments about my "sob story"  or "diet and exercise will make you lose weight." I've tried and tried and tried and tried and it's no use. I am so close to giving up on everything. It takes all the power in the world to keep me from throwing myself in front of a speeding bus or semi every time I see one. It takes everything to keep me from veering off the road and driving my car off a bridge. I turn 21 in four months, meaning my Medi-Cal benefits will be stopped and I have to switch over to CMSP. I desperately want Bariatric Surgery, be it gastric bypass or or lap-band. I know the procedures, and I know the risks and I know what I would have to do after to keep myself healthy. There is no way I can afford this on my own.... Is there anyway in hell Medi-Cal/CMSP would even HELP cover anything? Would a surgeon even touch  me unless I went on some damn six month strict diet first just to prove that it didn't do jack? I just don't know what to do, or even where to begin. Please. Please help. Any insight would be great. I seriously don't know how much longer I can go on living like this.

Hi Demile, Please don't give up!!!  Never give up ok?  Please give them a call to make sure they are still taking your insurance.

Here is a list of surgeons we show that takes Medicaid and Medicare in the

state of CA. As we discussed please give them a call.  I also included for

you some financial information we have as well.



Dr. Joseph Niam

Address:

University of California, Irvine

Medical Center

UCI Med Center - Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery

101 The City Drive; City Tower, Ste. 850, Rt. 81

Mail Code: 5375

Orange, CA 92868-3298

Telephone:                   714-456-8598

Fax:                   714-456-7035

Email:                   [email protected]



Philippe Quilici, M.D.

201 South Buena Vista Street

Suite 425

Burbank, CA 91505

Phone: (818) 848-8311



Central California Bariatric Surgery, Patrick J. Coates, M.D., F.A.C.S.

View Contact Information

1401 Spanos Ct., Ste 224         http://www.bariatricsrus.com

Modesto, CA, 95355



Kelly Francis, MD

11160 Warner Ave. Suite 421

Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Phone: (714) 966-2009

Fax: 714-966-22372



Links for financing sites:



*

o http://www.medicredit.com/

o http://www.p-f-s.com/

o http://www.cogentfinancialgroup.com/

o http://www.capitalonehealthcarefinance.com/

o http://www.citerrafinancial.com/

o http://www.mymedicalfinancing.com

o http://www.surgeryloans.com



If there is anything else we can do to assist you please let us know.



Take care,

Kathy

ObesityHelp

Member Services

Check out www.asbs.org to see exactly which centers near you are Centers of Excellence.  Medicare will cover the surgery if it is performed by one of them

MediCARE? Isn't that just for ages 65+? Like that does me any good. I'm only 20. I have Medi-cal/Medicaid.... Unless I am misunderstanding something.