I need help

I need help finding a doc that takes medicare and will preform surgery on a person with a BMI of 81.5----- My name is Angie, I'm a 32 yr old woman with a BMI of 81.5 and my health problems are as follows: high blood pressure sleep apena diabetis degenaritive arthritis high colestrol nuropathy in my feet depression Today I was turned down for the 2nd time by a surgeon who I thought would preform surgery on me. When I called his office the first thing I asked was if they did patients over 450 lbs because the hospitals around my home do not. The answer was yes they do patients up to 800 lbs. So my hopes were high and I was very excitied to get this done. I got a phone call about an hour ago saying that the doctor will not preform surgery on me do to my BMI and underlying health problems. So once again my hopes are smashed. I have all the preop testing done and am well aware of the risks and complications that could occur with this surgery. That is a chance I am willing to take. It's either surgery or die for me. I weight 534 lbs and am 5'8" tall. I am really starting to lose my hope for having this surgery. I know this is the tool I need to lose my weight and stay reasonably healthy. I have been over weight since I was 2 so I've never known what it's like to be skinny and DO NOT have the desire to be skinny. I just want to be healthy and walk and live my life again. Thanks for any and all advice---and yes I have been searching and searching and searching....

Dr. Dyer at Centennial accepts Medicare patients    here is the link to the site http://www.cmcwls.com/?D=032904         good luck

thanks but he turned me down---he's the one I was talking about in my post :(

I do not know if they take your insurance or what his restrictions are about your BMI, but Dr. Spaw at Baptist is a wonderful doctor, you may want to call and inquire with him. Best of Luck,  Shelia

 Hi Angie....  go to the top of this page .left hand corner and under find a surgeon  click on that... start looking and calling and calling there must a  bariatric surgeon somewhere that takes high BMI patients . post your requests in all the forums in surrounding states and keep calling... so sorry Dr Dyer did not take you... he is  one of the best  experienced surgeons.. but there surgeons who do take patients with your problem .. Have you tried calling any surgeons in Nashville??  from Vanderbilt or Baptist hospital?? they all have websites and bariatric surgeons  on their staff   start looking at  at these websites ..do not give up  if push comes to shove , go to the Dr Phil and Oprah websites and  contact them and see if they can help you   Please let us know how you are doing .. there is help out there ... somewhere, just have to dig it out..   and get out the word you are needing surgery ..please stay in contact and let us know how your search is coming along ...Best of luck to you hun!

OK I am back.. Vanderbilt does take medicare and I have the main number ...#615-322-0259 they have 3 or 4 surgeons there who do bariatric surgery  ..one i heard good things about is DrWillie  Melvin #615-343-8988   ...also  you may try WilliamO.Richards  #615-327-4751. They also have an Alfonso Torquati but he only gives the main number to get hold of him he does have an email  [email protected] youy can try emailing him or call main number to get to him the main number I am giving you is their bariatric dept.. Tomorrow is Monday .. good day to start calling ....

thank you soooooooo much for you're efforts I truely appreciate them---unfortunately I've contacted them and the surgeron that does medicare has turned me down for surgery---but I have found one in Indianna that I'm checking---going to see him on the 16th wish me luck---and again I thank you soooooooooooo much for you're help---thank you from the bottom of my heart

You are welcome!!  make sure before you go all the way to Indiana he  is willing to  take avery high BMI patients and they don't back off  sure a long trip to go back and forth from Missouri for nothing . . Glad you found this surgeon . this is just a suggestion but...  I have been reading up a little bit on high risk patients and they said  for patients with a BMI higher than 60,  they recommned the vertical gastrectomy  procedure    It is a 2 part procedure and safe rfor higher risk patients ..Have you looked into this vertical sleeve yet??  go to the forum ..ask questions and find out whatyou can ask how much did they weight before surgery and if they are feeling well and what thay think about it and how much have they lost . alos ask if anyone had the procedure and had Medicare.. I do not know if Medicare will pay for this procedure you must call them and ask  I must commend you for searching  long and far for a surgeon.. you are willing to travel far away it seems to find a surgeon  Youhave determination and this is what is takes I know you will find sucess! You have started the ball rolling ..let me know how things go  with your visit with this surgeon in Indiana!