I have reviewed 4 Doctors

Hi everyone. I have checked out Dr. Spaw in Nashville, can't do anything there until I attend his seminar. I called Dr. Hruska's office this morning. I could have my surgery date as early as September, and depending on what all I have done and the Dr.'s referrals, could be as soon as August. Sounded good, the matter of getting to Clarksville, when I live between Kingsport and Knoxville. Plus she won't do surgery while I am in a wheelchair. Between arthritis, swollen feet, weight, and breaking my hip and pelvic last fall, my orthopedic Dr. said today that it's still healing, but he's willing to write a letter to the fact that in order for me to be able to walk, I need the surgery to get the fluids off, and some of the weight. I can walk a little with my 4 wheeled walker, but according to the girl at the desk, I have to walk with out assisstance. I then called a Dr. J. Digby in Elizabethton, TN, have no clue where that is, but he only charges $100 at the second appointment. There is one in Kingsport, but the coordinator who does all the scheduling wasn't in the office so I will get back with her tomorrow or by Wednesday. Travel wise, I'm leaning more towards the Dr. in Kingsport as it's only 45 miles away, or Dr. Digby in Elizabethton, TN. Blue care Transportation will be taking me there. So that is taken care of. I need to find out what is going on with the Huntington, WV Veterans Hospital. Haven't heard anything from them yet. By the way, if you are seeing Dr. Boyce in Knoxville, he quit taking medicare/blue care last October. His waiting list for those on Blue Care is 250. Still just hanging in there for now. Haven't given up and won't. Love to all Kathy

Best of luck to you Kathy. I hope that whichever doctor you choose does well by you. My thoughts and prayers are coming your way. Anne

Thank you Anne. Dr. Spaw has been marked off my list as possibles. He no longer takes medicare, and his blue care patients waiting list is 250. I don't think soooooooo. I see Dr. Digby on Monday, Sherry Campbell referred him to me. I am having my dr.s fax over what ever tests they have done and a letter referral from them. The same with the WV Veterans Hospital in Huntington, WV. Just called Medicare, they will not cover just obesity surgery, I have to have hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, letters from my psychologist regarding my treatments over the last year. I have to also have several other problems that the surgery would greatly help. Well, everything they want except diabeties I have. This surgery is also to prevent me from having diabeties. I appreciate your prayers, thanks so much. Kathy