Question:
my weight is 516 and i have emphazema will any one do surgery on me????
i weigh 516 lbs and have emphazema .. will any one do surgery??? — [Deactivated Member] (posted on September 25, 2006)
September 25, 2006
You need to ask a surgeon that question. If you have insurance, get your
policy (in writing) to see if they cover WLS. If you don't have insurance,
you will need to look into self-paying for the surgery. Some hospitals
have payment plans; you might be able to get a medical loan. I can tell
you this, though, and please don't take offense - if you have emphazema due
to smoking and you STILL smoke...you will HAVE to quit. Period. I smoked
for about 7 years prior to surgery and quit about 6 months before my
operation. Go find a bariatric surgeon and research your options
extensively. Good luck.
— platypus
September 25, 2006
I don't know the answer, which doctor will do it, but I know someone who
was almost 600 pounds when he had surgery. He was in Iowa, but they did it,
and he is now 300 pounds. If the emphazema is from smoking, you will have
to quit immediately, they won't do the surgery on a smoker, the risks to
way too high. Good luck, and don't stop looking, someone will do it,
somewhere, someway.... what did the Doctor say that you saw already? Is he
willing to do it? From what you said on your profile, he was?
Michelle
— MomofKate
September 25, 2006
The weight is one thing, but the combo of weight and emphazema is another.
I know the University of Pennsylvania did surgery on someone 625 lbs. That
person was subjected to MANY, MANY tests and had to go before the hospital
review board in order to get clearence. It was not just one doctors
decision. He was in fairly decent health, other than bad sugar and sleep
apnea he (I think) did not have any other major health issues. You
definitly want to go to a very large University type hospital with an
extensive WLS program. The "Little Hospital down the road" that
just happens to do the surgery is not the place for you! You want somplace
that has a nutritionist "On Staff" and has a psych program that
communicates with the WLS program. I had a pysch exam prior to my surgery
and I thought I was well prepared pychologically, I was wrong and I am now
dealing with that. Luckily the people at PENN are working with me and
helping me through this rough patch.
— WMKaisla
September 25, 2006
My cousin went in at 660 lbs. he had a tracheal tube for breathing.
Medicaid paid for his. he is now 300 lbs, breathing normally. He did not
smoke, but the weight was too much pressure for him to breathe normally.
he had various other co-morbidity problems as well. I believe, the answer
is yes, it can be done.
— dessary316
September 25, 2006
Stoney- I had LAP RNY done and at the time of surgery I weighed 510 pounds
with obstructive sleep apnea and nearly uncontrollable high blood pressure.
You need to find a surgeon who has experience in high risk patients.
Check out the profiles of those of us with very high BMI's (over 60) and
read the surgeon reviews of those who worked on us. Then, start calling
around. With luck, you will find someone in your state wtih the experience
you deserve.
— SteveColarossi
September 25, 2006
I have emphysema and I am trying for WLS at the advice of both my pulmonary
dr and pcp. I am 5'2" and 330#. The first thing you should do is
get your pulmonary Dr's Ok before you go any further. My pulmo thought
it would be a good idea. It will not "cure" my emph but it will
relieve the restrivctive side of my lung disease. After your pulmo says
Ok then you can talk with yoru PCP and start looking for a surgeon. My
pulmonary Dr wants to do a comple PFT shortly before the surgery so that we
go into it with our eyes wide open and if we need to change our minds
because of lung function we can. I have 50% lung capacity at this time
which in the light of things is fairly good.
Good luck!
Carol
— CarolynK
September 25, 2006
HI Stoney. I am not sure what state you are in, but there is many Doc's out
there that will do them. There is a risk of this surgery on anyone &
even more so when you have higher risks involved. Your Insurance & Docs
will have to decide if it can be done on you or not. Don't give up. I know
that Dr. Fisher in Las Vegas would do it & also several in AZ would
too!
Would depend on what state you are in & what Insurance carrier you
have. Take care
— Marilyn C.
September 25, 2006
Hi Stoney,
I believe that Dr. Husted in San Francisco performs surgery on high risk
individuals. But, like everyone has stated here, he will not do the
surgery if you are a smoker. His website is at www.drhustedmd.com.
Good luck and God Bless!
— cpinck
September 26, 2006
Stoney, I have copd and am waitting on surgeon to accept me. You have to
have a surgeon who is willing to accept higher risk patients. I have heard
of others who have had it done with copd. You may want to check out some
of the copd websites to find out. You might also check out University
type hospitals in your area.
— Marie W.
September 26, 2006
My sister has emphazema and she was 358 lbs when she had wls july 28th, 06.
She had to quit smoking for 3 months, but did not until 3 weeks before she
had wls. Her dr almost did not do her surgery, but he put it off for 3 more
weeks until she quit smoking. She is now on no oxygen 24/7 and she has lost
60 lbs. She does not even have to sleep with her CPap anymore. She has come
off all her meds except an allergy med and is doing great. Her breathing
capacity before wls was the capacity of a drinking straw you stir coffee
with and now she can walk and do exercise without giving out of breath. She
can even sleep on her stomach she says. BUT now she still smokes a
cigarette every now and then and takes 2 puffs and she is done. She does
this when she is bored she says or not at work. She was a heavy drinker
before wls and now she has no taste for it she says. I hope you find a
surgeon who will do the surgery and it is best to quit smoking NOW.
— mspisces
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