Polly K.P.

I saw my doctor two weeks ago, and don't quote me, ladies and gentlemen, we spoke through a lot of innuendos....but it's gonna be a while, folks, for VSG to even be considered by Medicare. The first "meeting" was supposed to take place in late January---hasn't even been scheduled yet. I tried to pin him down a little by asking how long it took LB to be approved. He said "about a year".....is that from the 'consideration' point? He evaded that. I then asked him if my upcoming Cranial Angiogram (used to be called "Brain Surgery!") was going to be a problem if it took place in May. "Oh no, not a problem," he said with assurance. I don't feel any better at all, as a matter of fact much worse, and didn't even make an appointment to go back. Queendiva asked me if there was anywhere all of us could send a barrage of letters to....he said if he knew a name or section of Medicare, all the doctors would be doing a lot of barraging, too. Said there's no way to find out WHO to write to about our concerns and situations, and that he'd be the first to share that with me. I'm not even half-way sure I will be able to get back into the positive mind-set I had about the surgery, and everything that follows it as I did before. I think (like all the times I tried other 'weight-loss programs') I feel like I've tried, and failed, once again. This time in a Big Way. I was offered Hope and Help, and they're down the tubes. I'm even considering withdrawing from the whole consideration process and dropping the whole thing.

This is Polly K.P.--Hi All, I am writing an update on my own thread, as I'm not sure how to use the Forum properly. I see my surgeon tomorrow for the next visit after he told me "we're hoping" when it comes to Medicare/VSG. He had originally 'promised' the first quarter of 2010 would be the time Medicare would probably cover my surgery. It's now at the end of the first quarter, and he's still "hoping". I'm getting more and more frustrated and honestly, getting angry at the surgeon for promising health, help and hope, and none of those are in the picture. It's like all the times I've done weight loss 'programs' and ended up being disappointed in one way or another. This is the biggest disappointment of all because it seemed as if it was going to be a success for sure. I honestly don't know how long I will be able to wait. I'm slowly gaining weight, or at the best maintaining. Feel very disgusted when I got the notice from Medicare about how much the "pre-surgery" blood work cost: $1.329.31!! And all for nothing. And the worst for me was having to cough up $375 for the psych eval....another wasted cost that was terribly hard for me to come up with--took all my nest egg, and now I'm broke at the end of each month. SSDI doesn't go far. Anyone have any news, or kind words? I really need both. Thanks to all of you. Best of luck. Polly K.P.

Dear Norma, I am so happy for both of you. Unfortunately for me, I need to wait for Medicare as I have no funds available for getting the surgery on my own. But I am very glad to hear you are doing so well, and feel so happy. Right now I'm the sad, mad, disappointed one, but hopefully things will turn out for the best. Best of luck and success---I know you're working hard at this to make it the success it is. Thanks for the update. Polly K.P.

Dear Ky.Hen and Norma, whatever happened to the two of you re: your VSG? Did you ever do the lap band, or are you, too, waiting as I am for VS? I can empathize with both of you, and would like to know. I care. Polly K.P.

Dear Penne, This is Polly K.P. writing again. I saw my surgeon today, and he was totally unaware of any news that Medicare was going to put off deciding on whether or not to cover the VSG until much later this year. All he said was, "we don't know," and told me to hang in there, because I was #2 on the waiting list for the surgery. Now I don't know WHAT to think, but will indeed, 'hang in there' because I have no choice but to do so. He was going to "speak to" the person in his office who told me that the decision was being put off. All I can say is, I will try and be patient, not one of my virtues! Thanks for your support. p.s. I have to wait for Medicare approval, and cannot get the money from anywhere else due to my secondary insurance's rules.

Dear Pennie, I'm also very anxiously awaiting approval of VSG by Medicare. I was virtually 'promised' by my doctor that approval would happen in the first quarter of the new year (2010). The info I have that has 'filtered' down from his office to me, is that it is not likely until closer to the end of the year. I am very disappointed, discouraged and upset at this turn of events. I'm very concerned about gain weight during the wait for the surgery. I had to pay the $375 for the psychological evaluation out of my own pocket---will it need to be repeated? And will all the medical tests also need to be done again, closer to the surgery? I would sure like it if the doctors would be clear, honest, and frank in what they do and don't know. As far as my doctor, I think he's a great surgeon, person and wants honestly to help me. But I'm extremely frustrated and upset at what's happening. Would sure like to hear from people in this same position. Thanks, Polly K.P.