Frank's Medically Necessary Gastric By-Pass Surgery

Hey, my name is Kim. I am here on behalf of my brother, Frank.

Frank's story-

In 2005, a week after Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita hit our area. It flooded our home with waters that took some time to go down. In an attempt to get our family out and save as much of our belongings as he could, Frank walked in and out the water. Right after that he developed MRSA in his legs, due to the sewage water that he went through. For over a year and a half, he had to go to wound care and to try and get rid of the infection in his legs. They were able to finally get the infection cleared up. Unfortunately, after the infection, it led to lymphedema in both of his legs. He has been through every known therapy and surgeries to try and help with the extreme swelling in his legs, but nothing has helped.

He has tried on several occasions to get weight loss surgery that would be life changing and life saving for him, but his insurance never covered it. We did not have the funds to pay out of pocket for it.

Until last year, he tried yet again at another surgery center. When they ran the insurance and spoke with 2 representatives, we were told that his surgery would be covered. For a year now, he has been anxiously waiting his surgery date. His surgery is scheduled for May 16th. Yesterday, he received a call from the doctor's office stating that when they put in the final authorization for the surgery, the insurance denied it. Upon calling his insurance company, they confirmed it was not covered. He escalated the call due to 2 representatives stating that it was covered. This morning, he contacted the insurance company AGAIN, to which she looked at the notes from the other representatives and apologized that they misspoke. He was told again that they would not cover it.

So, I am here asking, all who know him and those who don't, for help. If you know Frank, you know, there is nothing that he wouldn't do for his family or his friends. He has continued to try and live his life and show up even knowing it was going to cause him a great deal of pain. Due to these health issues, he has had to miss so much in his family's life and so many opportunities in his own. If you can, please help him get his life back.

As of this moment, his surgery is still scheduled. In faith that God will make a way, he is staying on his liquid diet.

If you can help, we would greatly appreciate it. If you are unable to, please pray that we can find a way and please SHARE.

All funds will go to paying for Frank's upcoming Bypass Surgery!