Just started checking things out

Hi, I have just started my journey on hopefully finding a solution to my obesity. I don't know if I can have this surgery or not. I am on Medicare and Tenncare Medicaid. I don't know if any doctors will accept this or if it is even covered. If any one can help or give advice please do. I live in middle Tennessee area. If anyone can recommend their doctor and why your help would be appreicated Thanks for any help Cheryl

I've heard it has to be a cernter of excellence or something. Hopefully the knowledgable will reply soon. Beth B. in Chattanooga

Dr. Dennis Smith in Atlanta accepts Medicare. http://obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeon+profile+Dennis+C+Smith+qk.html We live in Alabama and my mother has surgery scheduled with him next month. If you're interested in more info as to WHY I recommend him and travelling out of your way to go to him, please send me a PM! Good luck! LeaAnn

Dr. David Dyer at Centennial takes Medicare... or at least he did a few months ago. He did lapband on a friend and she is on OH also

Hi, Medicare requires a Center of Excellence. In Nashville, that would be Centennial, Baptist and Vanderbilt.. I believe each hospital has at least one doctor who accepts Medicare. Good Luck... Belinda

WOW!! You are in luck. I have a disability and am on Medicare and Tncare also. It's the easiest insurance to have for this surgery, remarkably. My lapband was in June 06 at Vanderbilt. Dr Melvin does Medicare. He was great! Go for it!

Aren't you glad you started checking this oou?! I sure am. I too have Medicare/Medicaid and Tenncare, so you know I think at least 3 of us is in the same post according to the postings to your questions. I went to Centennial for a seminar but before I did I made sure someone there accepted Medicare as my primary and it is Dr. Dyer. I tell you I have just recently had my yearly physical and things are not getting any better in spite of me wanting them to, in my present state of health (severly morbidly obese). I understand that I have tried in the past and can not do this myself so I sought help not really knowing what to expect with Medicare being my primary insurance, but now I know. During the time I was fighting the battle without a sword I gained more weight and more health problems. Glad to have you aboard! If you ever want to just chat you are more than welcomed to send me a PM. The best of luck to you!

Hi, This is Cherly who is just starting to check things out. I am so glad that you wote back to me. I have been trying to find how to get back to this page! That tells you how computer savy I am. I am planing on going to a semimar Saturday. So let me get this straight you have not had your surgery yet? You mentioned recently having your physical, did they find addidional health problems that makes having surgery a higher risk for you? I hope you can because this weight is like trying to fly with a tank on our back. I might lose 20 pounds but my ability to keep it off is a joke. I am 50 years old I don't want to die when I am 60. I have to much to live for. I am married my husband Lennie is a daibeitc he is overweight to but so far his blood sugars are staying in line pretty good. We both have high b/p and High cholestrol My one concern is I dont want to have the surgery where they cut your stomach and do the bypass I don't think that is healthy. I would much rather have the lapband at least with that you still get your nurtients and don't have to take a buch of pills. My other concern is that with that RNC or what ever it is called. I have a seziure disorder. Ithink it is going to be very important to for me to make sure tath my medicine is absorbed in its normal way. But I am sure the doctors will know how to handle that. Please don't look at my grammar or spelling my mind gets going faster than my fingers can work. Anyway enough about me please tell me about you. Maybe we can be strong for each other and get through this. I weigh 309 and I am 5' 6" We have 3 kids 2 girls and 1 boy our youngest is getting married in June. I don't mean tto ramble but I have never responded on a chat line. You will have to teach me the ropes Thanks again for answering and offering the invitation. you sound so sweet. Can you do me a favor if you are comfortable with this My boss Cathy is early thrities she is having surgery monday 2/19/07 she has a mass in pelvis pleas pray for her if you don't mind. Thank you Cheryl

Hi, I was happy to hear from you! I will help you as much as I can and as much as possible. Just ask the question and I will answer or try to lead you to the answer. I try to be kind to everybody. I am just that way! I have a deep compassion for people. You consider your talking rambling but it isn't I am always available to talk. I love communicating with people in general so don't ever think that your talking is rambling to me. I do hope you get this, if you are planning to go to a seminar at Centennial for Dr. Dyer. I would like to let you know that he is at the moment not considering taking any more Medicare patients. I spent a Saturday at the seminar to no avail. I am now at Vanderbilt and yes they do have several weight loss surgery doctors there and yes they accept Medicare. I am scheduled for their seminar March 16th and my consultation is March 21st. I didn't get that far at Centennial. In fact I would have much rather had my surgery there because it is a good hospital but if they knew that Dr. Dyer was not considering any more Medicare patients they should have said so instead of letting me waste that time. I like the fact that Vandy has their seminars on weekdays too. Furthermore my appointments aren't even a week apart. I'm extra excited now. I truely hope that you consider getting some sort of surgery. I have been overweight/obese all my life you can read my story and my blog at the following link http://obesityhelp.com/member/chubbz/ . There are other links on this site where you can go and read and research about the different types of weight loss surgeries this site is very very helpful you just have to dig and explore. I love it here. I'm looking forward to hearing from you again real soon. Diane