HI QUESTION ABOUT BEING A HIGH RISK PATIENT

My bmi is over 60--62.4 to be exact..I weigh 424lbs I am a female 43 yrs old have been chubby since I was 8,, and have fought to lose weight for 30 yrs.. The usrgeon ihoped was gonna do my RNY--dr michel bono in hazleton pa--just called me yesterday after 4 1/2 months of tests and anxiety and he told me that I have too many health probs,, so he will not operte on me.. So I just want to give up--I need time to recover from this hard blow.. Becasue I thought he was gona do it-0he iknew from the get go about all my health probs--diabetes-and its complications--my hart is healthy and my lungs are strong--but I do have diabeteic kidney disease tho-- I woul dlike to kow if any of you who live in pa tht have or had hight bmi's had problems with surgeons not wanting to touch you--and did you have to go the barix clinic and even so will they do it.. I just do not want to waste my time again.. Dr bono is the only surgeon in networki with my first prioriity insurance--my primary doc willnot give me an out of network referral.. But I will ask her again-now that I do not have any other surgeons in network.. My heart doc is really worried about me--he wants me to get this surgery fast--before this weight causes me to stroke out--and of course being a diabetic who had cellu;litis a dew times and came close to losing a toe or leg--I am afraid--I awant this surgery too asap.. I have alot of fluid retention and it does not help--it fights me and keeps me from losign weight.I appreciate any positive imput here.. From the 50 bmi and over people susie from exeter pa

Susie hi I do hope you find what you want... Maybe if your pcp says no you could ask your heart specialist to talk to your pcp.. That might help.. I wish you alot of luck... Keep fighting.... That is the main thing keep fighting.... Priscilla

Susie WELCOME!!!! I'm so glad to see you here! I agree with Priscilla......get your heart doc to talk to your PCP. Dont let them drag their feet on this. Its YOUR LIFE theyre talking about. Be firm and dont take no for an answer!!! (sorry if I sound like a Mom) I'm not quite sure where Exeter is.......but I had a BMI of 57 and had my surgery done at Magees in Pittsburgh. They have the best team of suregons there and I know they do high-risk patients. Get on the phone........make them so sick of hearing from you that they will do your surgery just to shut you up!!! Susie, please take care and let us know how things are going with you. If you need anything......just post it here.......someone will have an answer for you. willby

Susie, Willby is soooo right! Get on the phone... make them sick of hearing your voice. I learned that one the hard way. It's YOUR LIFE! Make them listen to you. No one has your best interest at heart more than you do. You mentioned Hershey Medical Center on another board too. It is my understanding that they have an excellent program there as well. As our TT would say... Never Surrender! Huggs, Ruth

hi: i'm glad you found this board, too. i was at 450 with a bmi of 65, had lots of issues and got a lap rny. that was last february 8th and i've lost 175 lbs since then. it's a whole new life and i hope you really, really push to get this done - if that's how you choose to proceed. the surgery is an honest to God lifesaver. i'm thankful daily for the second chance. sorry i can't help with the question about pa. i'm in mn. but again, i wish you well and hope we hear from you again soon. hugs dorthe

Hi Susie! Welcome to the best board on OH! I just emailed you the link to this message board. I see you found it on your own. Hope you like it here. The people on this board are the best!! Lots of support, experience, encouragement, and love! I love my SMO family! Huggs, Ruth

If you surgeon said no, then ask him to recommend a doctor that is better qualified to work with you as a patient. It is my understanding that some doctors refuse to do SMO because they are not as qualified as other surgeon or I guess what that really means is they dont have the experience to work with heavier patients. This is not an insult to you just that they have not been trained to deal with the complications that arise. So you will find a doctor qualified to meet your needs. You also may want to send a email to Amy Williams I believe I am not sure that she helps people find doctors. love marie

I had surgery at a weight of 530 pounds. I went to the WISH Center in Springboro, Ohio. They have a lot of patients who travel from out of state because they do surgeries on high risk patients. I'm only 33, I'm not diabetic, have no hypertension or other circulatory problems. If your weight was the sole risk factor, WISH might be a good place for you. WISH always uses two surgeons when a patient is high risk. This decreases the time in the OR, among other things. My surgery was performed by Dr. Kira Schofield and Dr. Rosen. Dr. Rosen is the chief of trauma at Good Samaritan Hospital and flies from Chicago to Ohio for a week each month to do high risk surgeries. It's a long drive, but it might be worth considering. WISH also handles all your insurance stuff, so you don't have to worry about submitting this form and that form, etc. Their website is wishcenter.org. They have offices in other parts of the country, but I think Springboro is closest. I came through surgery without any problems. I also spent six months before surgery keeping a food journal (I gave up all soda pop and fast food) and exercising six days a week. I lost 45 pounds before surgery, and really improved my health. I was still high risk -- 530 pounds is 530 pounds no matter how much you exercise. Good luck. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.