Newbie

Pegg · September 16, 2008

Hi Everyone:

Findly found 60+. Getting ready for my seminar. Have made up my mind to have the lapband. I know I have to go through a lot so I certainly will be looking for encourgement. Hope everything goes smoothly. Got a lot of health issues as I know you all have probably had. Have fought this weight problem all my 68 yrs. (born and looked like a little butterball my mother used to tell me. ) Just want to feel better and not have to worry about this. 252 lbs with a BMI of 47 5'1. I am praying the doctor excepts me because I am over 65 but my health is at stake . Hope Medicare will cover and supplemental too. Live in Michigan and my PCP has recommened a fine doctor. my seminar is 9-24-08. I would welcome any encouragement and info.

thanx so much

Pegg

KarenIn · September 17, 2008

Welcome Pegg! Good luck with your journey. You will get alot of support here. Keep in touch.:thumbup:

JoannMarie · September 17, 2008

Hi Everyone:
Findly found 60+. Getting ready for my seminar. Have made up my mind to have the lapband. I know I have to go through a lot so I certainly will be looking for encourgement. Hope everything goes smoothly. Got a lot of health issues as I know you all have probably had. Have fought this weight problem all my 68 yrs. (born and looked like a little butterball my mother used to tell me. ) Just want to feel better and not have to worry about this. 252 lbs with a BMI of 47 5'1. I am praying the doctor excepts me because I am over 65 but my health is at stake . Hope Medicare will cover and supplemental too. Live in Michigan and my PCP has recommened a fine doctor. my seminar is 9-24-08. I would welcome any encouragement and info.

thanx so much

Pegg

Hi Pegg,

Welcome to this thread. You will find a lot of support and encouragement here, and on other threads as well. I can help with one of your questions. As of early 2007 Medicare (and the supplements) pay for bariatric surgery. However, they do require that you go to a "Center of Excellence" for your surgery. Be sure to check with the surgeon where you are attending your seminar to make sure they are certified as a center of excellence. If you go to the Medicare website they list the centers by state. Search under bariatric surgery and look for facilities. The website is huge and not the easiest to navigate, but keep at it and you will find it.

Good luck as you begin your journey.

sharon160 · September 23, 2008

Also, make sure your surgeon will accept the Medicare assignment for the surgery. If the hospital is a Center of Excellence, they will accept the Medicare assignment. That basically means that they wil get paid a WHOLE lot LESS than what they bill and the rest will be written off. I was banded when I was 65 plus 10 months but I'm sure it's up to the individual surgeon and your medical condition to determine if they will do the surgery.

Good luck, and welcome to the forum.