65 and over

[Lady1putt 24]

bubble toes....FABULOUS NEWS!!!

Let us know how we can support you as you start this new

chapter of your life!!!

[toler48 120]

I'm torn about the psych. screening. On one hand, I understand they don't want to have someone who may be a closet anorexic, or have other possible eating disorders. On the other hand, I would think that the bariatric surgeon would be experienced enough to spot someone like that.

I was told that I would have to have this screening also. It's no problem, at my age, I know I'm nuts LOL. No, really, I'm not worried, just curious mostly as to the reasons behind it.

Hang in there Bubbletoes ( love that name)

[Lady1putt 24]

I too as a trained school psychologist was nervous about this interview.

Mine was so non-intrusive! Bacsically she took a dieting history! One more time!!!! LOL! Do not worry!

[Bubbletoes 124]

Thanks for your words of support Cococat, Patsy, Lady and Toler. I always feel so much better hearing good thoughts from others who have been there or are in the middle of it like me. I'm so glad I found this place! You made me laugh, Coco! So true! ☺️

[reallyrosy 161]

The worst part of the entire process from start to finish IMHO was the leak test prior to being discharged. Everything else: all the fear of having to answer difficult. questions [and you CAN say "i dont feel comfortable talking about that"], torture from the insurance co., needless waiting, condescension worry about having put together a supportive team blah blah fades away when it comes down to swallowing that crap for the contrast. If the tech had not told me how unpleasant it was going to be, i probably would've downed it without thinking twice. But the answer came right afterwards that all was o.k. whew. Get there and. Get over it and dont look back. Good luck.

[Lady1putt 24]

Yes I agree it was pretty awful! Just keep walking and smile a lot!

Keep them wondering what you're up to!! Do not go home til you are really ready. Keep pain at a minimum with the Meds! Best advice the nursing staff gave to me!!! Never let it get past a 5 on their "happy face" scale!

Let us know how you are doing!

Linda

[Sherry S 103]

I had my sleeve by the best Dr in the area a yr ago Feb. I'm 68 now. I live in AZ Phoenix area, also and make sure you ask your surgeons office about Medicare covering the sleeve because in this state it's on a case by case basis. There are only a few states that have this which I think is ridicules. Just make sure you talk to the surgeons office and make sure the sleeve is covered. I was adamant about having the sleeve and not the RNY. I have not regretted my decision at all. All my tests are normal, I've hiked 5.5 miles 2 wks ago going down 240 steps into Walnut Canyon and back up 240 steps. It was not easy but I did it. I'm doing 2 hrs of Qigong and Tai Chi a day 2x a week and 1 hr 2 days. I feel so much better even though I've only lost 30 lbs. I'm going to go back to Curves and try to loose a few more pounds.

All in all I am glad I had the surgery and am much healthier for it. I do have acid indigestion from the surgery but 1 prilosec a day takes care of it. I also have to take a stool softener due to the surgery but it's a small price to pay for my good health.

Good luck on your journey.

@@Cococat

Hi, I'm 66 and just starting this journey. I got the green light from my PCP on Tues and am going to a seminar next week at the bariatric center.

I read your post #142 about Medicare and want to thank you for the information. I have been wondering if they would cover the surgery. I also have several other problems, Pre-Diatebtic 2, high BP, high choles., sleep apnea, COPD. All these things move me into the morbidly obese group.

I've been reading and researching all of the options. It's not an easy decision and it's not an easy out.

Do you know if Medicare covers the three main different surgeries? Sleeve, By-Pass, Lap-Band.

Any information would be helpful.

Thanks

Cathy

[Cococat 119]

Cathy:

I was surprised to hear from others on this board that Medicare coverage varies state to state. That was news to me. I would have thought that being a Federal program, that it would have been uniform from state to state. So I hesitate to give you any advice. I can only relate my experiences.

I live in Florida and my surgeon said that Medicare here (at his hospital) will pay for one gastric procedure, whether it be a Bypass, Sleeve or a Lap-Band. BUT, if one gets a Lap-Band here and one develops scarring or other complications, although Medicare will cover the REMOVAL of the Lap-Band, it will NOT COVER any other gastric procedure you might want subsequently ... like a Sleeve or a Bypass. That was the reason I went for the Sleeve directly and not the Lap-Band. As it turned out, the Sleeve was the best for me.

Also: My hospital is designated a hospital of excellence in gastric procedures. That might make a difference in Medicare coverage, too. Is your surgeon practicing at a hospital designated as a hospital of excellence? If not, maybe you ought to find one and a surgeon who operates on gastric patients at one of those.

My surgeon specializes almost exclusively on gastric procedures. He does three or four a week! He has a staff devoted almost exclusively to filling out Medicare and other insurance forms and knows how to navigate those insurance avenues that are puzzling to us patients. He has other staff who are nutrition and support group leaders. We all meet regularly. I can't praise them all enough. I am usually not this lucky. I thank God and my surgeon and his staff.

[toler48 120]

Cococat,

The surgeon I am seeing is a Bariatric Specialist, and yes, the hospital does have the Excellence award.

I talked to his office a little (when they called to say the seminar was canceled) and found out that the sleeve is covered by Medicare, but, there is the 4 month wait before surgery. She said they require a 4 month, physician supervised, diet. Then of course all the other testing required.

Medicare is my primary and United Health is secondary for ins.

I am willing to wait the 4 months to get the sleeve. Although, they told me that what I got would depend on what the doctor recommended for my specific case. With all the research I have done, I really would prefer the sleeve, and, seeing how many people, in my age group, have gotten the sleeve, I'm hoping that is what he says too.

[reallyrosy 161]

Cococat...they told me the same. I insisted on vsg. Later surgeon said had i asked for bypass he wouldn't have done ANY surgery on me. I just lucked into the best option. Stick to yous guns. If u like raw food and esp veggies u can have them after vsg

[Cococat 119]

Cathy:

Good news! Four months will go by in a hurry. Even in the months leading up to my surgery, I was happy, knowing I was finally going to get my Sleeve. So, be in good spirits. Yes, my doctor also said that I would get the operation that I was best suited for, too. But I think the Lap-Band is not as popular as the Sleeve or the other more complicated operation, the Bypass. One other thing about the Sleeve - you don't have to take Vitamins by injection, as you have to with the Bypass. With the Sleeve you can take vitamins by mouth. That was fine with me. I am happy for you. Keep going in the right direction.

[Cococat 119]

Reallyrosy:

Agreed. The Vertical Sleeve is THE thing these days. Isn't it nice to be lucky once in a while? (big smile)

[toler48 120]

From what I have been seeing and reading, the lap band would not be my choice at all. Too may times I hear about it slipping. Also, I know with the sleeve, the part of the stomach that produces the hungry hormone is removed. With the lap band, that part of the stomach is still attached and I don't see how it doesn't still come into play, as far a hunger goes.

Just doesn't make sense to me.

I really didn't want the bypass cause there is too much cutting and re-attaching of "stuff".

The sleeve is so much simpler. And waiting the four months means my granddaughters are back in school and my summer "sitting" is done with. They are good girls but also worry worts and would drive me nuts with caring for me LOL

[toler48 120]

I have another question for those of you that have had the surgery. I know I will need to take Vitamins, I take them now. I was looking at Walgreens for chewable vitamins. Thought I'd pick up some Vitamin C's since I was out. They don't have chewable Vitamin C that does not contain sugar. Well they have one that has sorbitol in it, don't like that stuff.

My vitamin D's are tiny enough that they won't be a bother. What does everyone else take for vitamins?

I know my surgery is a ways away, but I want to get all this searching done ahead of time.

[kitcrv 1]

Dear toler48- About the vitamins: I live in Canada but I'm pretty sure that you have costco in the USA, right? My bariatric clinic steers us to costco to get Wellesse brand liquid Calcium with vit. D in it... because you have to take quite a bit of it and those pills are really big!... they also tell us that we must take prenatal Vitamins for the rest of our lives....I get those at Costco too.... these are big , and need to be split, as we're not to swallow hard pills that are bigger than a " Smartie"... I just cut mine in half with a knife. Also Vitamin B12, but that pill is manageable and we only need one per day. You may need a stool softener after the first couple of weeks, but those seem to come in smallish, gel capsule pills...easy to swallow. It may sound daunting at first , but after a few weeks, ( and using a " pill minder box" ) it all becomes routine and familiar and is no trouble. Good luck! You're going to feel so much better, more alive , it's worth the brave decision and work up front.