Diamondeyed

This sounds like good news for some people.
http://asmbs.org/2012/06/access-to-care-alert-the-cms-final-decision/
Dear Colleagues,
On June 27, 2012, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released their decision on coverage for the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). The final decision will allow laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy to be covered by intermediary Medicare administrators as a stand-alone procedure at their discretion. The text of the decision is below.
On behalf of our patients, ASMBS is very pleased and gratified that CMS has recognized the true value and compelling need for coverage of this procedure. ASMBS will immediately initiate the formal pathway for coverage with each regional CMS intermediary by reiterating the arguments for coverage as expressed in our excellent April 2012 appeal letter written by John Morton, MD (Access to Care Committee Chair and Secretary/Treasurer) and Matt Brengman, MD (Insurance Committee Chair) ASMBS Response to CMS Sleeve Coverage Decision.
In addition, in the Top 5 on the 5th July 2012 newsletter from ASMBS, the Access Committee will provide additional instructions as to how you and your patients can help in the effort to achieve coverage in each particular region of the country. This again demonstrates our future need to work together in regional collaboration.
While more work needs to be done, this experience demonstrates that the ASMBS Rapid Response Initiative for Access to Care works. The overwhelming response from patients, surgeons and integrated health members, along with the strong evidence base for LSG, provided CMS with a persuasive argument for LSG coverage. In addition, the multi-disciplinary support of the American College of Surgeons, SAGES, The Obesity Society and the American Society of Bariatric Physicians displayed an Obesity Care Coalition in action working for our patients’ best welfare. We are thankful to the Obesity Action Coalition and our industry partners, Covidien and Ethicon, who all played vital roles. We will now go forth to each individual intermediary, and this decision will open the door to widespread coverage based on the strong, available evidence. We are confident coverage will be achieved.

Just wanted to inform everyone that Medicare does pay for the sleeve. Had surgery 5 weeks ago and just got the hospital bill &medicare did pay for real. I know there has been a lot of questions whether they would pay or not. Hope this helps ones that are on the fence.

Also: I can't wait to buy a fabulous Lily Pulitzer dress and wear a great pair of jean with a crisp, white blouse(tucked in, of course!) and a Hermes belt!

Rock climbing, a bunch of sexual positions...like my husband to pick me up and give it to me against the wall!

Surgery date Feb. 15th!!!!!!!!!

Icon23 at one point you didn't even see how you could do it in March...now you so close up on it!!! Be blessed, everything is going to be great!

Jan. 17 with Dr. Ortiz. Can't wait!

Rock climbing, a bunch of sexual positions...like my husband to pick me up and give it to me against the wall!

I was sitting down today stuffing my face with cabbage and black eye peas thinking this will be my last year being able to eat this much in one setting. It's really getting real. I'm starting to have anxiety thinking about the pre op diet. Today I had an overwhelming mix of emotions. I'm scared, nervous, anxious, and excited all rolled into one.

I guess that's sort of what I had today . I was just filled with a mix of overwhelming emotions. This is getting really real and there's no turning back now.

Guess I'm in the minority with you, girl! LOL One of the pluses of being in a long-term relationship I guess...at the end of the day all I care is it's clean. Love my fuzzy bear!

I think I'm in the minority here... I like it au naturel, & not afraid to use my hands to hold back a few strays here & there. Better than stubble burn on my face... ;} Only requirement...gotta be clean--& air dried!! No lint or schmegma, please!! Haha
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 347*294/284/135 (*347HW/294SSW) | (twitter) @Mwrarr | mwrarr.wordpress.com

New position for us: He picked me up, pinned me against the wall rocked my world.
New position for us: He picked me up and bounced me up and down on his thighs.
Love this whole cave man thing with him picking me up and tossing me around. That wasn't going to happen when I was fat nomatter how comfortable I was with the extra padding.

Hi Everyone!
Wanted to wish everyone a happy new year. Next month I am getting my sleeve. This is becoming a reality. Very excited and scared at the same time.
I need to drop 10 pounds between now and then. Here's being able to watch all of us change in 2013!
Loves!
Tami

Started my pre-op Dec 1 at 374lbs. Surgery day 12/14 357lbs. Today, my 1 month weigh in put me at 340 for a total loss of 34lbs gone forever. I'm so excited!

I have been really enjoying this thread. As someone very close to goal I want to add that there are so many things that seem impossible, that suddenly are just not a big deal when you are thinner. My personal "dream" was to join an equestrian drill team. I love horses and riding but drill is fast and involves wearing spandex..lol. Anyway, now that I am doing it, I am not the fattest woman on the team and while it is fun it is no longer that "impossible" dream. It is just a thing that a normal, reasonably fit woman can do. I am a beginner at this particulat event, but I am pretty good at it. Wow, it makes you feel great.
Pole dancing is quite the theme here...lol... I think it is funny in a very great kind of way.
I wish all of us the very best at achieving these dreams. It is amazing what is possible once the body is fitter AND the mind recognizes that you don't need to be perfect to be sexy and fun. Trust me, as you get to goal you will start to go through all the typical "insecurities" that we have about our bodies only it will be worse because of loose skin and our history of obesity. There were times when I weighed say 190 that I felt fatter then I did at 290.... crazy, but true. Be prepared for that critical part of the journey, how to love yourself just as you are.
Well, if you feel it, feel that confidence, people around you will too! Perfection is not necessary - but a basic level of confidence, fitness (working out DOES pay off sisters!) and self love - well those things will take you a very long ways!
Happy New Years and a happy new and better life to all!!

You go girl! That exactly what I want from my hubby too...lol

Hey, everyone. Just had my VSG in Tijuana on December 20,2012. Not quite 2 weeks post-op. Doing great. Surgeon was Cabrera/Garcia and I was at the Doctor Mi hospital. Thought I would give you a few hints at making it a better place for you!
1. Bring your own Water. Lots of it! Our driver from the San Diego airport told us he would stop and have us buy some, but I guess forgot, so our coordinator sent us a few blocks over to this gas station/minimart where we picked up half a dozen bottles. (Watch the cars when crossing the street--like frogger, only you are the frog).
2. Bring someone with you at all possible. The emotional support is priceless, but it's also good to have someone run to get someone at night if you can't find the nurse (or Doc on call).
3. Bring earplugs. The first night we were there, at midnight the event house immediately next door serenaded us with ear-splitting Mexican fiesta music. Seriously, it's like a 120 piece Mexican cantina band was sitting bedside. It lasted til 3:00a.m. Mind you, we were offered a $150 discount to go to this hospital and I at that precise moment figured out why! Luckily our surgery was not until later that next morning, so it's not like I needed sleep or anything! At about 2a.m. I finally located the doc on call and he said "yes, they are out of control tonight". Later in my stay, after everyone I asked about it denied ever hearing this music, we were told that on occasion a late party was planned at the place and the music occurred OK, I can live with that...take the plugs just in case. It may have been an aberrant occasion, but better prepared, than not.
4. Bring Purell or other hand sanitizer and request the staff use it or wash their hands. Universal precautions were out the window at this hospital. What I realized is I researched the heck out of my doctor but neglected to research the staff. No handwashing was seen. No gloves were used to draw blood or start IV's. The nurse starting our IV's had a cold but wore no mask and would turn on occasion to sneeze into her armpit. YIKES!!!
5. Remember to request fluids when Clear liquids are OK. You take your own Water, but if you want Apple juice, broth or gatorade you have to ask and ask and ask. For our entire stay we received 1/2 small dixie cup of apple juice, 1/2 small dixie cup of gatorade and a styrofoam coffee cup of chicken broth. That was it. We finally gave up, resorted to water only then made it up at the hotel.
Anyway...like I said all is good. My sister developed a phlebitis above her IV site, but I had no complications at all and am 11 pounds down after 12 days. Good luck to everyone going down there!!!!
Ann

Shopping spree to Victoria's Secret!

Shopping spree to Victoria's Secret!

Shopping spree to Victoria's Secret!

Shopping spree to Victoria's Secret!

Shopping spree to Victoria's Secret!