PhoenixRising8

Hi! This is my first post and it's been a VERY bad day for me. My insurance company told me today that they do not cover ANY bariatric surgery. I was mortified. My doctor has been talking to me for the last six months about needing to do the sleeve procedure. I cannot do lap band for health reasons nor regular gastric bypass [although for health reasons]. I'm on disability and my husband is a teacher. We are on a VERY limited income. Has anyone had ANY success with an insurance appeal? I have to write a letter the insurance company this weekend but don't know what details I should put into it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. Blessings~

That's wonderful! I have what may seem like a silly question but I can't figure it out. How do you get the widget on your profile that shows your starting-goal weight and now much you've lost? Thanks and Blessings~

Lovely. I'm blessed to have one who is thoughtful like that too. Blessings~

Take Care. I'll be checking on you! Blessings~

Hi, It's nice to be starting this journey [it sounds like] with someone. I go for the seminar on 2/27 before I can meet with the surgeon. I'm told to expect surgery sometime in May. I'm disabled; 49; 4'11" and 270 pounds. I'm VERY limited what I can do for exercise: walk, recumbent bike and pool therapy. I'm nervous, but I've got 120+ pounds to take off and I know no other way at this point. I wish you well as you embark on this journey. Blessings~

Congratulations! That's fantastic! How is the skin situation. I've heard some horror stories from people who say it hangs and others don't. Any secrets? Blessings~

Best Wishes....I'll be where you are in May if all goes as planned. Wishing you well! Blessings!

Wow! You've lost 86 pounds in three months? That's wonderful! Congratulations! What type of food are you eating at this point? I'm in the preliminary phase of doing this. I go for the two hour seminar on the 27th before I can meet with the doctor. It's a little overwhelming, but I've got to do something. Continued success to you! Blessings~

Oregondaisy, I see your surgery was in 2009. How are you doing. What do your meals consist of at this point? Someone told me after a year or so, you could actually eat a small version of a meal: protein, small amt veggie, small amt of say brown rice. Is this true?

I'm not on any kind of Advantage plan however. Is that the difference? I'm just on basic Medicare Disability Coverage when I was permanently disqualified from working a few years ago. My husband's insurance doesn't cover this procedure. Do you have an Advantage plan?

I'm in Virginia. Oh, I intend to fight them! Thank you so much! Blessings~

They told me yesterday, Mastiff_Mama. I started to cry when she said they only covered three types of weight loss surgery and she didn't list the sleeve. I will call again on Tuesday and specifically mention VSG. I appreciate your assistance and will certainly keep you updated. Blessings~

Thank you, Somerset!

Hi, Mastiff_Mama, Yes. Medicare is my supplemental and they told me that they only covered lap band [can't have] gastric bypass [can't have] and the more extreme gastric bypass. So, I felt a little deflated. If you could give me ANY more information so that I could call them back on Tuesday, I'd appreciate it. Is there a specific name other than Gastric Sleeve that I should reference? I've been on Medicare as supplemental to my husband's insurance for seven years. This is all so new to me and I'm just overwhelmed. Thank you for ANY direction or further information you can give re: Medicare. Thanks to all who have responded to me. My husband's insurance co. HR department told me today to write a letter of appeal so I'm going to do that. I don't expect anything from it, but I'm willing to exhaust ALL avenues. Blessings~

Thank you so much for all of this information! I'm in the very beginning phase of this process and am finding all this information and hearing of others' experiences VERY helpful and comforting. Blessings~

Thank you all! I've just been very depressed today. I don't understand how insurance can opt-out of this type of coverage. It's not as if I'm looking to get a boob job or face lift, i.e. cosmetic/elective surgery. This is NECESSARY! I'm SO tired of having to fight for everything! I've got my seminar lined up for February 27th, which I was told is the first step before the surgeon will see me. My husband told me to keep the appointment. We'll figure something out. It's just so frustrating! He's a teacher and I'm on disability so $15000-$20000 bucks is like a million to us! Tired and weary today.....thanks so much for letting me vent. Blessings~