Hi, can someone help me?

Hi all i am very new to this i am going to be 28 at the end of august. I am on disability from a car wreck in 1998 and have medicaid. I weigh over 500lbs and need help. My normal doctor said i could really use the lap-band surgery. But i cant find any doctors that will accept medicaid. I live in waterloo,IL and am willing to go anywhere i need to for the help. I can barely do anything because i am so large and would appreciate any help possible if anyone knows a doctor or anything that can help it would be greatly appreciated.

I looked on a map and found that you are a little SW of St Louis.  You need to start researching what surgery that you would like at this point. Even though your doctor suggested Lapband - I would (for myself) would question is this the correct route for me. Do your research and figure out what direction you need to go. Every once in a few weeks a question comes up about medicaid and hopefully someone will come in and make a suggestion as to a doctor that can help you no matter what surgery route you go.  Take care, Christine

Well the lap band is the one that would let me be up fastest and has least complications and i have had MANY complications. So the other surgeries honestly scare the heck out of me. The lap-band seems to be just as good and less bad side effects. Or am i wrong?

dr gibson in gurnee takes medicaid right now for RNY and lap-band...he may not be accepting it much longer though. he performed my RNY in june... i have a feeling though that he will suggest the RNY  due to your weight and the fact that you can not drive 6 hours for your fills that are required with the lap band...HE MAY ALSO SUGGEST YOU GO ON A LIQUID DIET TO DROP SOME PRE SURGERY WEIGHT.. I'M NOT SURE THOUGH...HIS NUMBER IS 847-856-2525 GURNEE IS PAST CHICAGO ABOUT THIRTY MINUTES

U of C accepts Medicaid. I agree with the previous post I am not sure with your weight if the lap band is going to work. I think it is more for "light weights" due to slippage and and the size of the stomach. I am not a Dr though so I could be totally wrong. I went to Dr frantzides he doesn't accept Medicaid but the hospital does. You would have to pay for his fees about 8000 I think? I used care credit and then not only was he the best in his field but he was quick!! I had my surgery in 3 weeks. good luck to you I hope you find help!! welcome to the board! Also there are hospitals in st louis that take Medicaid but there is a wait. Of course you will have a wait where ever you go if you are not self pay. There is also siu clinic in Springfield. dee

What she says is true. I would look into RNY or DS, they might give you better results. Dr. Frantzides is a great Doctor if you have the money. :)