martucci

Jason, thanks for answering. I like the medicare advantage. I'm too young to get a medicare supplement to help with prescriptions so this really helps me, I take 6 prescriptions and costs me no more than $5.60 each one. No copays for doctors or surgery center, so I really like it. I guess I will have to wait the 6 months. Medicare does the 6 month wait they said too. I really can't afford to switch to regular Medicare. Thanks for the suggestions though. I slept last night thank goodness. I just have to think everything happens for a reasion, right? ttyl Karen

Hi Jason, Well, found out that my doctor's office withdrew my referral from doctor to insurance co. I was waiting a month to hear something. I have the medicare advantage plan if you recall and they follow medicare guidelines and now the doctor's office said I need to diet for 6 months, I am really upset because of the way it was done. I didn't sleep last night, really stressed. Six months seems so long. Thanks for listening. My excitement level went so far down. ttyl

Linda , that's okay. I am praying to skip the 6 month thing, LOL! I really wish they would but I will see when I hear from them I guess. Well, will let everyone know when I do hear from them. Take care! Karen

That's great Linda! You are so fortunate to have had the diets in the record. I don't and of course I haven't dieted the last six months, gave up. Just gain it back. I wish so bad they would let me get it, I have lots of medical issues and my knees are tearing, the cartiledge. Did your daughter in law's mother have the 6 month diet on record too? Well thanks for answering and best of luck to you! Karen

Gee Linda, I have all the things you do except fibromalgia.I have copd also. Best of luck. That's great you can just get set an appt. I guess you did the 6 months? Did you do that with your primary or surgeon? Karen

Thanks Kelly, that forum got me nervous, ha! One woman said she lost by the handful, yikes! But I will incorporate oil, one tablespoon anyway. That's great you sound like you are doing so well! Congratulations! Yes, it will be hell waiting 6 months. My knees may not last. I had one knee operated on, torn miniscus and got home and after a week the other is paining, need surgery on that one now. Well thanks for responding Kelly, Karen

Hi Lori, I am in the process of trying to get approved. I was told by Memorial that she believes Dr. Webb takes my insurance, medicare advantage plan. Did you have to wait the 6 months and being on a program? I wish I could bypass that. I wonder if there is a way. But, I gather you were happy with Dr. Webb? I love this forum, gets me really anxious to get it done and lose this weight. The only part that scared me was the people losing so much hair. But you know, when I went to ths Bariatric clinic for a diet they said to have at least 1 tablespoon of oil a day, they told us safflower but I guess any oil. So I will do that. Thanks. Karen

Hi, it's me again. I called the lapband number and they are sending me a list of surgeons in the area. They said to go to the surgeon that takes my insurance. I am confused as I had my primary doctor fax my info to the insurance co. and put somebody's name on that they don't know if they are in network. Now I don't know if I should go see a surgeon , don't want to get insurance mad at me either. Well thanks a bunch, hope to get the list soon. Karen

Hi, did you have to do a 6 month diet program first before they would approve it? Congratulations and best of luck ! Karen

Thank you . I did get a great letter from my primary doctor to my insurance co. I was told they will cover the surgery if you meet the qualifications and believe me I do. Thanks Karen

Thank you so much, you are so sweet! I will call tomorrow. Hey, that was easy right, 1 800 lapband, ha! Thanks again, Bless you too! Best of luck on your journey! Karen

ok, thanks so much! I will wait on that number. You are really nice to help out. I appreciate it. My bmi is over 40. Karen

Hi, thanks for the info..I am in Florida, originally from New Jersey. I have medicare card with A & B but don't use it as my medicare advantage plan gave me their card. Medicare pays them the money each month. I do have extra help from Medicaid too, wow, this is great if they cover fully. I will call Medicare and see if they will send me a list, thank you . Yes I feel like the women in my doctor's office just don't give a care. I am very happy with my doctor but them girls are lazy and they probably say, why don't she just diet? They don't understand. Well , I am going to see what medicare says about the list. Thanks so much. Karen

Hi, thanks for answering. I was hoping to skip the 6 month diet. Years past I have done 6 months but not lately. My doctor's office, the girl that works there insists they said I have to do the 6 month with my dr. giving me a specific diet, the girl said I got a denial . Well I keep in touch with my insurance company and the gentleman I talk to there said they are still reviewing it, they did not deny you. I said well she lied again then. He said well, maybe she talked to someone who asked her if I did a 6 month program. I am really uptight on this. I need another knee surgery after having the opposite knee done, torn miniscus. I think when one has surgery the other gets all the weight on it and tears the other. I feel I would benefit if I can get it done sooner. My knees hurt . My medicare advantage is an HMO, but they said they go by medicare guidelines. So I have to sit tight and the insurance guy told me to call him next week to see if anything but he said it is a positive as they have not denied it. I think the girl at the dr.'s office is lazy and don't care. Well I will hang in there. Karen

Hi Paisley, My name is Karen, waiting to get approval. Question. Did you have to do a 6 month program before the dr. appt. or after? Thanks Karen

Hi,I have a Medicare Advantage plan and they use Medicare guidelines they said. My doctor sent a letter with all of my medical problems and bmi, etc. It has been a month and it is still being reviewed. I hope they approve me. But did you have to do the 6 months of diet? Does losing weight on diet hurt in any way? Thanks Karen

Kristen, It is Karen, I messaged you days ago and you did write back. Thank you. I wanted to give you my email , munchkin006@yahoo.com as I have some questions and prefer they be private. Thank you so much and have a great day. Karen

Thank you Kristin. I am waiting, I can't say patiently [lol] I get such inspiration from all of you on this forum. Meanwhile, I had torn miniscus in my right knee, had surgery almost 2 months ago and waiting a few weeks to have the other knee done, torn miniscus, hard to walk sometimes. I have a Medicare Advantage Plan. My dr. sent them a great letter of all my medical problems. The holdup is my dr. office didn't know what weight loss doctors are on my plan so they put a name of some doctor and they said insurance keeps coming back saying they need a doctor in plan and it goes back and forth. My dr. office said they sent a nasty note back to insurance and now I am worried that will hurt me. It has been weeks and my insurance co. had told me it usually takes a few days. I don't know what else to do. But I appreciate your kind words Kristen, thank you. Karen

Oh Kristen, I am so sorry you lost your son, so sad. I'm sure that is why you gained. Well you seemed to have come to terms with it and now getting yourself on track, and just stay focused and you should feel proud. I really hope they insurance approves me soon. Karen

Becky, I have not been approved yet for banding but I hope I feel cold all the time when I get it as I am hot constantly and at least if you are cold you can put more clothes on. Oh how I look forward to that! Call me crazy but I envy people who are cold all the time. Thank you all for something else to look forward to! Karen

Kristen, that is so wonderful. So like me, did you used to make food your life? It scares me thinking I may not be able to change my ways. Were you a mindless eater, emotional eater? I want to get back to normal. The last 7 or 8 years I have steadily been gaining and gained over 100 lbs. I just am so disgusted and I hope the lapband will keep me from eating the amount I do now. You have done so great! I know you must be so proud of yourself, that's wonderful. Keep up the good work and thanks for the inspiration. Karen

Congratulations, that is wonderful! What an inspiration you are! I haven't gotten approval yet but my size is like yours was and I want so bad to lose it but have a terrible time on my own. How did you lose so many sizes so quickly? Did you exercise a lot? I could use any help for when I do get my band. Thanks. Martucci

Hi, I am not banded yet but would love to buy a cookbook, thanks. Karen