A place for bandsters in their 60's

[IndioGirl55 32]

I am 63 and just got approved Monday (waited 4 weeks, if you don't count the 6 month diet). My BMI is around 37/38 and I have just about every co-morbidity except diabetes. I am on 2 meds for BP, 2 for cholesterol, 1 for GERD, 1 for Arthitis (knees) and CPAP for sleep Apnea. I can barely afford the copays. I have no designs on becoming a hot mama (don't hold me to that) but I would LOVE to get off some of these medicines. I go to Curves 2-3x week, and have added walking since starting this journey. Found a lovely park near my home with a walking path and friendly squirrels. I take peanuts for them. Some will come up and take them from your fingers. Meet lots of walkers and dogs, too. I walk 2-3 times around the path (I think it is about a mile in lenghth). I only lost 10 lbs on my 6 month diet, and a few more since walking. But my slacks have dropped a size (only thing holding up my fat pants is my belly). My surgery date is 3/18. Onward and upward! Or should I say downward?

Congratulations on your date - 3/18 is a good day - it's my grandson & brother's birthday... You will feel 10 yrs younger once the weight comes off - I know I do... Good Luck on your surgery...

[phyllser 3]

I am 63 and just got approved Monday (waited 4 weeks, if you don't count the 6 month diet). My BMI is around 37/38 and I have just about every co-morbidity except diabetes. I am on 2 meds for BP, 2 for cholesterol, 1 for GERD, 1 for Arthitis (knees) and CPAP for sleep Apnea. I can barely afford the copays. I have no designs on becoming a hot mama (don't hold me to that) but I would LOVE to get off some of these medicines. I go to Curves 2-3x week, and have added walking since starting this journey. Found a lovely park near my home with a walking path and friendly squirrels. I take peanuts for them. Some will come up and take them from your fingers. Meet lots of walkers and dogs, too. I walk 2-3 times around the path (I think it is about a mile in length). I only lost 10 lbs on my 6 month diet, and a few more since walking. But my slacks have dropped a size (only thing holding up my fat pants is my belly). My surgery date is 3/18. Onward and upward! Or should I say downward?

Wow! Your medical history sounds remarkably like mine.... all the same meds except I'm not taking anything for the arthritis right now, but I do take a thyroid pill, and detrol la for the bladder. I had my surgery last summer at 63 1/2 yrs. I can't do much walking, but I'm trying to push it. I use a handicap scooter a good bit of the time... shopping, etc. Very best of luck to you. you won't be sorry!

[Linda Davis 0]

Hi ladies & PATCHELTON

Well went to the seminar and learned a lot. I have a consultion on Tuesday 3-4-08. I gave my paperwork to them at the sem so hope they will have something to tell me I have been told the age thing should not be a problem. If Tricare accepts my 35 bmi with my co-morbidites i hope they will schedule before May when i go on Medicare. I fear I will have to start over since than Medicare will be primary. Who is your insurance with? Patchelton did you have any problems with them?? Thanks for sharing.

Warm Regards

Linda

[Ilene62 0]

Welcome. I'll be 63 in a few weeks (I can't believe it). Banded in June 07 and am losing slowly, about a pound a week, but it adds up. My blood pressure is normal (116/64) without meds and I no longer use a cane for my arthritic knee. So you have things to look forward to. You're making a good start with exercise. Keep it up and the best of luck to you.

[sfeiner 2]

I welcomed Linda and Patchelton earlier today and for some reason it didn't post. Anyway I'll say it again. Welcome to our site. We are so glad to have you.

[David's Girl 0]

:sad:I just decided to have the lap band today and I must say I don't have much support from family members. I'm worried that they will sink me before I even get started. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, how have some of you managed?

[phyllser 3]

:sad:I just decided to have the lap band today and I must say I don't have much support from family members. I'm worried that they will sink me before I even get started. Has anyone else had this problem? If so, how have some of you managed?

I have not had this problem, but I must say to you that you need to do what is best for you without listening to the "nay sayers"!! I had my surgery last summer and it's the best thing I ever did for myself! Tell us more about yourself and your situation. There are lots of caring people here to support you!

:tt2::rolleyes2:

[David's Girl 0]

I have not had this problem, but I must say to you that you need to do what is best for you without listening to the "nay sayers"!! I had my surgery last summer and it's the best thing I ever did for myself! Tell us more about yourself and your situation. There are lots of caring people here to support you!

:tt2::rolleyes2:

Dear Phyll,

I have followed your messages on the 60's site today and you are so gracious with your help. Thank you

[David's Girl 0]

so Sorry,I'm still trying to to figure out how to do this.

when does the edit post part go away?

[David's Girl 0]

Lets hope so!!! I need to get on to the important part and give you more info in the next few days

[PATCHELTON 0]

Hi ladies & PATCHELTON

Well went to the seminar and learned a lot. I have a consultion on Tuesday 3-4-08. I gave my paperwork to them at the sem so hope they will have something to tell me I have been told the age thing should not be a problem. If Tricare accepts my 35 bmi with my co-morbidites i hope they will schedule before May when i go on Medicare. I fear I will have to start over since than Medicare will be primary. Who is your insurance with? Patchelton did you have any problems with them?? Thanks for sharing.

Warm Regards

Linda

I appreciate all the well wishes. I will keep you all posted on my progress. I have my pre-op with the surgeon, meet with the dietician for pre/post diet counselling, and the nurse for a pre-op class on 3/10. I took 3/17 off so I would have a long weekend to all the last minute stuff (clean litter pan, do laundry, etc) and plan to walk in the park all 3 days, weather permitting. I even walked in the rain once, but I prefer sunny days.

To answer your question about insurance, mine is Carefirst BCBS of Maryland. I have the HMO version, Blue Choice. They required a 6 month weight loss attempt documented, and a psych eval, and consultation. The surgeon asked for a stress test, and my PCP wanted an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). I work for cardiologists, so I had them done at work. As an employee we don't incur any out of pocket expense, just what insurance accepts, so that was a help. I used the bariatric team for everything. It only cost $35 to set up the 6 month diet, but it will be $150 for the pre-op which covers me for 6 months after surgery for any diet issues. I expect to pay out of pocket for that because I think she is out of network. The psych evaluator was too, so she was $150. Surgeon was just a specialist copay with a referral. Once all my hoops had been jumped through and my paperwork together they submitted it to insurance for pre-authorization. THAT took 4 weeks!

As for information, best to check with the surgeon's office, because they have been doing this for a while. I called BC/BS and the customer service rep nearly gave me a nervous breakdown! He told me I would probably be denied because I had used out of network providers for psych and diet. They accept Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and the like, but he said they may require me to repeat the 6 month diet because the dietician was out of network! Needless to say I was almost hysterical. He also said I had to have a surgery date BEFORE they submit for pre-auth. I called the surgeon's office and played telephone tag with the person I needed to speak to because she was always busy or with a patient. Good thing she only has two doctors to work for. I work for eight! She finally caught up with me to tell me I had been APPROVED! So everything customer service told me was bunk. She said they use an estimated date and then change it when they give the patient a date. I told her I thought you had been doing these a while and knew what was going on. They are a Center of Excellence, so I will never call BC/BS for info again. I do think my case reviewer must have been on vacation. I don't see why it took 4 weeks, but at least it is done and the out of network stuff was never an issue. Sorry to ramble but didn't want to leave anything out.

[David's Girl 0]

#71 (permalink) David's Girl

Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2008

Age: 67

Posts: 5

I'm here!

Phyll--your pictures look wonderful!

I have just gotten my referral from my from my internist and I am going to an orientation meeting on March 6th.

I have been trying to lose weight for about 15 years. At first it was 10 lbs or so, now it is 70 lbs.

Five years ago I had an abdominal blood clot and when they tried to heparinize me I hemorrhaged and had to have 14 units of blood and packed cells. I was in the hospital for 31 days. My kidneys began to fail, I got a couple of strange infections and was extremely sick and on morphine when I got home. Slowly, slowly I started to recover. I had an hematoma the size of a basketball in my abdomen which didn't absorb for almost three years. Of course I was very out of shape and depressed.

Almost exactly one year later, when I had just started to feel better, I fainted for an unknown reason and fell down 13 steps and landed on my head on the concrete. I had a brain bleed and lost a lot of my memory.

Needless to say I have grown even more depressed and out of shape. I have gained 45 more pounds. I'm to the point where of course none of my clothes fit and I don't want to buy "fat" clothes, so I either wear almost the same thing every time I go out or, I don't get dressed at all and spend most of my time in bed reading and watching TV.

My family is very exasperated with me. They don't understand my memory loss very well and they are disgusted with how "I have let myself go!"

I will be very happy to hear from any and all of you and thank you so much.

__________________

[phyllser 3]

Phyll--your pictures look wonderful!

Thank you! I appreciate the compliment!

I have just gotten my referral from my from my internist and I am going to an orientation meeting on March 6th.

I have been trying to lose weight for about 15 years. At first it was 10 lbs or so, now it is 70 lbs.

Five years ago I had an abdominal blood clot and when they tried to heparinize me I hemorrhaged and had to have 14 units of blood and packed cells. I was in the hospital for 31 days. My kidneys began to fail, I got a couple of strange infections and was extremely sick and on morphine when I got home. Slowly, slowly I started to recover. I had an hematoma the size of a basketball in my abdomen which didn't absorb for almost three years. Of course I was very out of shape and depressed.

Almost exactly one year later, when I had just started to feel better, I fainted for an unknown reason and fell down 13 steps and landed on my head on the concrete. I had a brain bleed and lost a lot of my memory.

Needless to say I have grown even more depressed and out of shape. I have gained 45 more pounds. I'm to the point where of course none of my clothes fit and I don't want to buy "fat" clothes, so I either wear almost the same thing every time I go out or, I don't get dressed at all and spend most of my time in bed reading and watching TV.

My family is very exasperated with me. They don't understand my memory loss very well and they are disgusted with how "I have let myself go!"

I will be very happy to hear from any and all of you and thank you so much.

Hi,

Well, if your family is so down on you and critical, why in the world do they not support your decision to do something to help yourself?? :confused: They don't make a lot of sense do they? They should be happy that you are taking charge and planning action that will help you improve your quality of life. And that will help with the depression, also. I commend your decision! Have they paid enough attention to even understand what this surgery is all about? Have you been to any support group meetings in your area yet? Maybe if they attended with you, or maybe take one of them to the orientation seminar, they'd understand more and be more supportive.

[sfeiner 2]

Hi Davids girl......I'm thinking you may have a problem with depression that needs to be addressed. I think about 75% of us over weight ppl are on anti-depressants. As far as family support, some have it, some don't. It's nice if you do, but not necessary. This is something you have do do for yourself. Follow Phyll's advice. Best wishes to you. If you don't mind I'll say a prayer for you.

[bimby 0]

Hi everyone. I have just joined the group and am so glad to see pp my age here. I worried that I am to old for this, except that I need to loose for my asthma, heart, acid reflux disease. I had no idea that there was this many of us young pp that had it done. I go for the 2 day workshop next week and will have my band the end of April. I know it has to be a big change in eating habits, but I want to do this so bad so I can enjoy retirement with hubby. We sold everything and bought a camper and we have visited most states and want to finish til we have visited every state. Its our time to have fun. I want to feel like hiking and walking and not just sitting because I cant breath. Its so good to hear all talk about how much better they feel. It encourages me. I look forward to talking with you all.