PPO insurance covers surgery but DOCTOR won't!

[poopgirl 1]

Ok, my dad went to see his doctor to see if he should do the lap band surgery or some other type of geriatric surgery since his PPO insurance covers it, but his doctor told him NO!!! It was his primary care physician that told him he is not stable enough to have the surgery performed. I told him to get a second and third opinion but he believes whatever his doctor tells him.

What do you think?

My dad is 64 years old

He is 5'8

He weighs 330lbs

He has been obese all his life

Now for his current health:

He is taking blood thinners

He is pre-diabetic and takes Byetta injections (as recommended by this same primary care doctor)

He was diagnosed with CHF about 15 years ago and is on meds for that

He had back surgery twice...last one was March 2009 and takes a gazillion pain killers (but I really think he is addicted to his oxycodone and somas)

He is an alcoholic (consumes daily)

He has normal blood pressure (120/80)

I'm no doctor but I think if he was stable for the same back surgery twice (within a year apart) then he should be able to have a simple laproscopic procedure done! Oh yeah and one more thing...he has a fear of surgery....aka...general anesthesia.

[Grider 92]

drinking and lap band do not mix,,, at 64 it be even harder to find anyone to do the surgery, and this is only going from what i am hearing from my surgeon,, as i am taking many tests for other stuff and im 58 before he will band me. Every thing has to be followed to the letter, not to errode the band - I am not sure about his meds now and a tiny pouch?