medications?
Hi, I have had a disease in my back now for about 9 yrs. I've been going to a pain clinic for about 8 yrs. As a results I've been taking narcotics that has been medically supervised since I've been going there. I was wondering if anyone else has had a condition that required narcotics and still was able to qualify for WLS. I'm hoping this won't interfere with me qualifying. I had a friend that had the lap band 5 or 6 yrs. ago and when I told her I would like to a WLS (not the band) she said I wouldn't be able to because of my meds. I don't know if she just didn't want me to have surgery or what so I didn't look into it then. Now I really want to do this. I will be making my first appointment to see if I qualify for when I get back from my vacation but until then I am just trying to get as much information as I can.
I was also wondering if anyone in Mass. has Medicare and had to do a 6 month medically supervised weight loss diet? If so did you have to do it with your PCP and what did you doctor actually have to do? I can't find any information on it. When I called Medicare they didn't know anything. I read here once if you loose weight than you might not qualify and if you gain you don't I'm so confused. Right now my BMI is 40.2 and would like to keep that. I do have a comorbity but I'm not sure it is bad enough to qualify. My PCP says it is. My husband thinks I'm worrying to much. I probably am.
I don't know why your meds would disqualify you for surgery. I'd talk to a bariatric surgeon about that.
I have Medicare and when I had my surgery five years ago, they did not require a supervised diet. That was with Medicare Parts A and B. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, that might be different. But call the number on your insurance card. If the person that answers the phone can't answer your questions, ask to speak to a supervisor.
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
The only reasons I know of are if the tablet is slow-release and too big to swallow whole (lapband) or if it contained NSAIDS which are contraindicated with RNY. I suppose malabsorptive issues might make it difficult to find appropriate dosages? But I think your friend is guessing!
Highest 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too thin!). Comfort zone 155-165.
Happily banded since May 2006. Regain of 28lbs 2013-14. ALL GONE!
But some has returned! Up to 175, argh! Off we go again,
Your friend is nuts! I was on pain medication when I had my lap band put in and am still on them because of severe arthritis in my back. It might take a dose change if you have a malabsorbtive surgery like RNY or DS but they should be able to work with it. Now if you have the sleeve which medicare now covers it shouldn't be a problem since they don't tend to have absorbtion issues.
As far as the 6 mo. diet what my ins. required was a monthly meeting where my doc documented my weight, we discussed what I'd eaten and what exercise I'd done. I didn't have to lose any weight altho I did. Usually they go by your original weight not what you gain or lose, sometimes the surgeon has their own requirements to lose a certain amount of weight for surgery purposes. As for ins. or medicare it is usually a BMI of 40 with no co-morbidities or 35 with 2 co-morbids such as sleep apnea, high blood pressure or diabetes. Just go for it and only listen to the surgeon or those who actually know what they are talking about, including myself!
Narcotic pain medications will not disqualify you.
I live in MA - I have Medicare, and Fallon Senior Health. I just learned Fallon is a "Medicare Replacement" coverage, so it's my primary. I thought it was a supplement. Do you have Medicare only? When I was first checking coverage, I checked both Medicare and Fallon. Medicare did not require a supervised diet; Fallon does. However, if I were you, I'd start a supervised diet anyway. It takes about six months, or more, to go through all the pre-op requirements. My understanding is they use the weight you are when you first start the process, not the weight when you're ready for surgery.
Have you been to an orientation meeting yet? That's usually required before your first appointment with the bariatric group. Where are you planning on having surgery? I'm going through U-Mass.