JennyHopes

Well, I tried and tried to get the surgery, being on medicare i was told time after time, even though I have had 2 spinal surgeries, severe arthrits and herniated discs in my cervical spine (where I had my surgeries) and lower l-spine- and now RA. and had a BMI of 34 I couldn't get the surgery paid for. Well I got sick of waiting. Being on disability - there was no way I could pay for myself. My doctors were disgusted with the whole thing, they felt I should be approved, I didn't understand why someone with my health issues couldn't get help. I wasn't worried about my looks, I wrote letters, my doctors advice to me was to gain more weight?? GET MORE UNHEALTHY???? WTF?? So I said screw this. I started walking. I went on the arthrits diet (which is no diet at all) I worried more about my pain management and not about my weight and you know what? I lost the weight again. I'm down 80 lbs and counting. From a size 20 to a 12. Its a struggle every day for portion control, and what I put in my mouth, I try for fresh local ingredients,. I see pain management and get weighed in monthly (I don't keep a scale in my home). Lots of green leafy veggies, omega 3 fatty acids, fresh fish, whole grains, and so on and so forth, anything good for my joins seem to be good for my weight. My partner and I have a deal if I keep off the weight this time for two years (I've lost it before, and this time I've gained it back partially and lost the 80) he's agreed to pay for my plastic surgery. I say good luck to those with decent insurance. Better luck to those with government insurance. I pray you get the surgery you need. I just couldn't wait. I hope I keep it off this time without surgery. I've been successful so far for a year, I'm taking it a day at a time, a forkful at a time. You'll be in my thoughts, I hope I'll be in yours even if I didn't take the same path. Good luck to you. Jenny.

Hi, my name is Jen, I have been struggling with my weight my whole life. I was approved by my private insurance (at the time) surgery done in Sept 2007 but I ended up getting very sick with a Pyelonephritis (very severe kidney infection) followed by appendicitis (apparently I had some kind of systemic infection) about a month before the surgery was going to take place. I ended up losing the weight on my own.... but of course I gained it all back and then some. My BMI is 35.5 and I have had 2 cervical spinal surgeries (1 in 06 and 1 in 07) and now also have 3 disc herniations in my lower back severe enough to put me on a cane, which is what really prompted me to have the lap band done in the first place, more than anything else was my chronic severe back issues. I also have bad knees, etc. I am now on Social Security Disability and have Medicare AND medicaid. Its straight medicare. Do you think I can get it approved?