Good Morning

Hello everyone. I was just on the main board again and I don't know why it is so full of downers and I need to stay up. Once againg I am worried about losing to much weight before my surgery. I still have 4 or 5 months and I only have 3 more pounds to go and then I will be under the 100 lbs over weight I need to be to get the surgery. I am losing so fast I keep thinking maybe I went to sleep and forgot I had it, why not I forget everything else. I know you are thinking that I should just eat but I am feeling so good that I don't want to gain it back. I have lost 20 lbs in 7 weeks. Lee Lee

Good morning to you, Carolyn! The reason you get unhappy on the main board is because... yes we at the TN forum are the BEST.... Actually I'm teasing; I dont go to the main forum. Never have. I always just come here cause I know everyone now. But Carolyn they consider your start weight... not the weight you are after your diet. Its documented by your PCP, right? Then they will have that documentation to go by, saying this patient was at xx pounds, and has lost xx pounds over the past few mos. etc. Keep on losing. thats great! Because after you have surgery, that means that you can reach your goal weight quicker! I lost 25 before mine, gained 14 back and now that I'm 7 lbs away from goal (as of this morning!) I wish wish wish I had not eaten all those last suppers.... I wish I would have kept the weight off. You are doing awesome! Keep your chin up, and like we say... Keep on keepin' on

It was a good day until we checked out medicare on line and found a news account were medicare has said that they are no longer going to pay for obesity surgery for any one over 64, they say that the mortalty rate is higher. I think that is droppings, I think it will make less demands on them because more people older than 64 are on it and probably bcbs of Tennessee will follow. My husband said we could take it out of our retirement but I won't feel as good about doing it that way. Lee Lee

Hey Lee Lee, I would call them anyway, because since you have already started the process, maybe you will be grandfathered in if you were in the process prior to the changes!!! Just a thought!! However, do not think of this as being cruel, but if you can afford to take it out of your retirement, you may want to do it. The reason I say this, is if you are having a lot of health problems due to your obesity and the surgery can correct it, then you will enjoy your retirement more than if you do not have the surgery and not be able to live your life to the fullest. Plus, the cost of medications that you will not be taking anymore, hopefully, may pay for the surgery in the long run. I know that I am now off 8 out of 9 medications and my insulin has been reduced a lot and they think I will be off that in 6 months to a year, that alone has been a big savings and I have insurance with co-pays, 40.00 a RX each month adds up!! Just a thought that I wanted to throw your way!!! Shelia

Shelia thanks for the thought I will try that. I don't know for sure that they have started that yet. I have talked to them a few times and they keep saying that I am covered. I am always a day late and a dollar short it seems like. After hearing what Kathy said about the cost of her surgery there is no way we can afford that, of course she has a lot of problems. I am doing so good on the diet that i'm on now my husband wants me to keep doing what I'm doing now but he is a thin person and they just don't understand do they? When ever he gains 5 or 10 lbs he tells me to cut down on his portions and he just doesn't care about food at all. I am so tired of being hungry and tired all the time. Lee Lee

I will keep you in my prayers, I believe the cost for my RNY was about $44,000.00, but that was with insurance and when you have insurance, it is always more. I think the cost is around $25,000.00 if you do not, not sure though, because I knew if insurance did not cover it, I would not be able to afford it at all. I was so blessed that I was covered by my insurance and all I paid was about $500.00 out of pocket. Good Luck, Shelia

Good evening Carolyn, Melinda is right regarding your start up weight. I have medicare and it was covered. That was in January 06, in February 06 they said that everyone would have to meet certain guidelines to qualify for the surgery to be paid for. Like the 6 month diet. Having certain co-morbilities, a BMI of a certain level. Also regarding the age. More and more surgeons are doing people up to 60 where it used to be 65-70. The older you are, the more health problems may creep up and Medicare and the Surgeons were finding the death toll rate higher on senior citizens over 60. some (like me) are physically able to work out on a daily basis. The also take longer to heal. If you can self pay, you'll get your surgery date faster and won't have to go thru everything only to be turned down. You're looking at anywhere from $25,000-45,000 depending on the surgeon's fees, the procedure you are wanting, and if you have to stay in the hospital more then 2-3 days. I have never seen a invoice on my surgery from Medicare which I thought was odd so I called them and inquired. They are still processing my medical fees from my surgery and it was done on Jan. 9, 06. I do know it was over $100,000 as I had to stay 5 days due to having to have blood (I am anemic with leukemia), but what we didn't know was the chemo pills I was on and had to have mine brought to the hospital as they don't supply them was eating up my potassium, so I had to had that put into me on a constant basis. I wish you much joy in the coming months and May God travel with you on this new journey in life. Kathy PS: I agree about the main board. I too found it depressing.