Help Please?

Can someone tell me the nearest "Center of Exellence" nearest to Bristol, TN is? I appreciate the help!

How far is Bristol from Nashville? There are 3 Centers of Excellence in Nashville - Baptist, Centennial & Vanderbilt. All 3 have excellent doctors and programs

Thank you, Susan. I found Baptist hospital and Dr. Spaw, Googleing... I'm trying to help a family life long friend who is not mobile..house bound. He uses a walker to get to the bathroom and on oxygen 24/7. I'm not sure of his age, but is between 65-70. He weighs at least 450, prob. more. his feet and legs are so swollen you can hardly see his toe..I'm afraid for him.. Lot's of health issues, but his wife asked me to find him help. She needs a ray of hope..she is so afraid of her husband becoming bed ridden. She is so little she could never be able to tend to him.. Is there an age limit for Dr. Spaw's patients? Acceptions? Or maybe someone could help me find a place where my Friend can get help if Dr. Spaw can not help him? My friend is inusured by Medicare. He lives in Bristol, TN.. I live in SC so it's sorta hard for me to do much but use my computer and snail mail forms and info to my friend cause they have no computer. This is a sad situation. I hate to see such dispare in these fine folks. He is not going to live long the way he is now. They need all the help they can get.. They need some prayers. Janet

Dr. Spaw doesn't participate in Medicare, as of now only one doctor participates in Medicare at Baptist, (not sure of his name) and he only does the lapband. not the rny. Dr. Spaw is in the process of becoming a medicare participant, but it may be 4 to 5 months before he can accept Medicare patients. Dr. Melvin at Vandy takes Medicare patients. He does lapband and rny And as of last week all medicare patients are on hold with Dr. Dyer at Centennial until issues with Medicare are resolved. I have just exhausted all three possibilities myself. So it's off to try again. Hope this helps. and Good Luck

Hummm. That's not good news..Thanks tho'. I am looking at Dr. Smith in GA, now. He does the DS and takes Medicare. Age limit not stated and I have spoken to a lady from SC who is 66 and getting the DS there with Medicare. Maybe this a surgeon you might want to check out too?