businessmom2011

I was just wondering if anyone else has Medicare. My doctor's office has said they don't have to submit for preapproval, Medicare will automatically pay for it. I am kind of nervous about that. Anyone else???

I am going with the RNY. My doctor DOES NOT LIKE the sleeve. He says there is a higher chance of gaining the weight back. I have read that many people say it feels like nothing. That worries me. That was also said about the lap band. That would mean eventually you can outsmart it. It can happen as well with the rny and you can regain. It is a mindset. I also do not like the sleeve. I am not comfortable with them cutting a piece of my stomach out and tossing it in the garbage. No one wants a reversal, but the sleeve is obviously not reversible but rny is.

I am in Fairfax County...Dr. Fitzer is doing my surgery on Aug 25th. It was originally set for July 28th, however my EKG is showing a blocked branch bundle so I need to see a cardiologist first.

Well, let me start by saying hello, keepingmysecrets. I AM ONLY SPEAKING FOR MYSELF AND FROM MY DOCTORS COMMENTS FIRST. I have the lap band and my surgery was in 2007. I was considering the gastric at that time, but I felt that I was not ready and I did not feel there was enough for me to feel safe with that surgery. I weighed 340 when I had the surgery and I lost 20 lbs, but gained it back. You must go in for "adjustments" to your band as you lose the weight (tighter) or if you were getting sick (looser). My doctor says the lap band (REMOVABLE/REVERSABLE) has the "highest failure rate", then the sleeve has the 2nd highest. The sleeve is actually the doctor cutting a piece of your stomach out and discarding it. (NOT REVERSIBLE) The bypass has the most success where they basically (and these are my words) re-route your plumbing. Nothing is removed just re-routed. (IT IS REVERSIBLE IF NEEDED BUT I DON'T THINK YOU WOULD WANT TO DO THAT). It is all PERSONAL PREFERENCE, and like I have been told and I hear this all the time, you will lose friends and gain friends, and its all about YOU BEING HEALTHY. I know 2 of my friends who have had this bypass surgery. 1 girl her husband left her because he didn't want her to get the surgery and be "skinny". For some reason people are saying that you become a new person when you lose all that weight. I am 46 and I want feel healthy, look healthy, and for once buy clothes in smaller sizes. I hope this helps...Keep in touch!! Cindy

Oh gosh I hope not!! I am having mine removed and then my bypass, just like you....Did your doctor have you get an Upper GI Series x-ray to see what was going on with your band before the surgery?

My doctor's office has said that Medicare would definitely cover my lap band removal and upgrade (as I call it) to the gastric bypass. When I got my band in 2007 I went from 340 to 320 and then that was the end of it. I started regaining and well to make a long story short I am now 373. So for me, the band has failed BIG TIME and now we are doing both the SAME DAY. Remove band and do gastric. I had to have an upper GI SERIES xray, a sleep study to check for apnea, and 3 months of nutritionist meetings. I also needed a psych eval. which Medicare does NOT PAY FOR. I do not have $400 to pay for one so while searching online I found a website that does not take Medicare, but they only charge $100 and they are EXTREMELY fast and very efficient. I took a test online and the results were forwarded to them and then a certified psychiatrist will call you when you schedule a day and time at your leisure. I did mine on a Tuesday morning and the report came in to my doctor's office on Friday.

I have been completely different by my doctor's office for Medicare coverage, as this is my ONLY insurance. I have been informed that I only need a 3 month diet plan with my nutritionist. I have just had my 1st appt. this week. My 2nd appt. is scheduled for June 9th. I have had to get an Upper GI Series Xray because I have a lap band which failed and now I am getting the gastric bypass. So on surgery day he will remove the band and do the gastric bypass. Also, you need a psych eval. They are a lot of money but I stumbled on a website called http://bariatricpsychevaluations.com/ They do not take Medicare BUT GOOD NEWS...they only charge $100!!! All I can say is that after my next apt with my nutritionist in June, we are submitting to the insurance (Medicare) and the office said it only takes 8-9 days for approval and I am hoping to get surgery by end of July. I also have to take a sleep test to make sure I do not have apnea (this was the doctor's decision), he wants to make sure things go smoothly, and I cannot blame him, as I do not want any problems. So all I can do is keep you al posted about how things are going with approval. Hope this helps!!!

I am having my lap band removed (Hoping to schedule for July 2014) AND my Gastric bypass in the same day. The doctor feels that anesthesia is so dangerous to go through 2 surgeries so he is prepping me by getting me to have an upper GI series xray to check on the band and also a sleep test. SO I am nervous about both occurring the same surgery.