I'm 2 yrs post op. I was considered to be a "light weight" on other websites. I was 40 BMI with a couple co-morbitiies. My baby brother 27 years old 6'3" and what I can only guess is about 600 lbs came to me for help. After months of paperwork, He will get his insurance thru Familycare staring next week. He's unemployable due to his weight but because of the lack of insurance we could not get him on disability. Now, I know, my journey was a cake-walk compared to what I'm going to have to help him thru. He's moving in with my family in a couple weeks and has already started making baby steps with his diet. We cut out sugary drinks 100%.. yay! (2 liters of soda/gater-aid a day, down to Water and suger-free flavored waters is a HUGE step for him!)

I guess my question is, what order should I get things done? I know my first order of business is to get him on disability so he has some small form of income. Then he need to start behavioral therapy (counseling)? I found a surgeon who takes medicaid (referred by my surgeon who unfortunately does not take medicaid). Has anyone ever gone thru the medicaid maze? I heard 6 months of medically supervised diet? Anyone over 600lbs who can tell me what weight he would need to get down to for a safe"er" surgery? My 16 year old daughter wants her Uncle to see her graduate, so I have 2 years to get him healthier!

Thanks in advance!

I know at Kaiser they want you to at least get down to 500 or 450. Sense his weight is high it shouldn't be completely difficult get it down that much he should cut out things with sugar and switch to sugar free. If you had a pre op diet before your surgery maybe introduce him to it. My Surgeon recommended 2 Protein shakes a day and a 400 calorie or less dinner, and he can have all the sugar free popcicles, pudding, and Jello he wants. If thats to hard of a diet to switch to have him introduce a cheat day but eat portions within reason.

Thank you! All help is appreciated form both him and me!

New Jersey....has he applied for NJ medicaid yet?

IN NJ, Medicaid has gotten out of the Heath Insurance business and now contracts with 4 Private ***'s...all NJ does is pay the premiums and manage the system.

You need to check with Dr.'s who do Bariatric surgery and find out who accepts what ***...not all of them are good, and not all Dr.'s accept all of them.

There are a few people left who are enrolled on Straight Medicaid anymore.