Alexandra39

Hi everyone, I just wanted to share this with everyone here. Wether you are starting your journey, in the middle of it or are done...this can be applied to your life. Just a griendly reminder

Ha, ha You're funny! Prayers are with you as well. That spirit will help you immensely

thanks.

Yes, that's what I don't get either. WA and NY are states that you would think be among the first to approve. I know the surgery is fairly new and I have also heard about the clinical trial option. In my opinion, if the surgery is fairly new anyone getting it done can still be considered in the "trial" phase. After all, the reason why they are holding back on approval is because they want more long term effects evidence. At least that's what I've heard. Anyway, what is the big difference between having it done after Medicare's approval and as a clinical trial. Is it liabilty? Are there any differences in the type/quality of care you will receive? I wish you good luck, please keep us posted on how things turn out. Wish me luck too! June 28th cannot arrive soon enough!

Is it medicaid alone? or did you have to add a healthcare plan to it such a neighborhood for example? My primary is Medicare and secondary is straight medicaid. I'll look into it. Thanks

Hi sdb1147, So I am going to be patient and continue getting all the paperwork done with the hope that Medicare will approve. I totally agree with you. There does not seem to be much of a better choice for me. Sleeve would be best. haha last line of your last post made me laugh.

I'm really surprised that the decision hasn't been made here in NYC. They seriously need to take into consideration the needs of individual patients. For example, this would be the best choice for me because it is not as complicated as Gastric Bypass, where one can even end up with malnutrition problems. Another big plus for Gastric Sleeve is that it removes the part of the stomach that that contains the craving/hunger components. I can't wait to know the decision and I really hope they approve.

A week flies by! No worries! I do undertsand how it feels being mentally prepared and then you have to wait some more. The waiting is definitely tough, but to put things in perspective for you...I have to wait to see if my insurance approves sleeves until late June or July. After that I have to wait for the paperwork to be reviewed "if" it is approved.

At NYU you have to pay for the nutritionist. A one time fee. It varies by hospital.

Again, thanks so much for your support. It sure does mean a lot. I lost sleep last night over this and I also went over my calorie intake. I have to get back on track and trust that God will know what's best for me. Good idea about the journal. I will start one soon. Good Luck to you & God Bless.

Thanks Greg, for posting all this info and links. I am very disappointed as well because I found out today that my Medicare (primary) and Medicaid (secondary) won't cover VST. Does it vary from state to state? I'm in NY. I had also begun the process of gathering the necessary documentation for this surgery thinking that by August or September this would be approved. Unfortunately, it turns out that the hospital I went to provided me with the wrong information on some printed insurance information material they had provided me. It was a bad experience with the insurance coordinator because it almost sound as if she did not want to help. She was quite blunt and interrupted me many times while I was trying to ask questions. It was very frustrating. They want to charge a $250 fee for a psychological evaluation and $250 for the nutritionist. I understand all hospital are different and this hospital is considered one of the best for Lap Banding Procedures and Bariatrics in general. However, given the fact that I am on Medicaid and Medicare an insurance coordinator can probably understand that I have low income. When I mentioned that I see a psychotherapist and psychiatrist for depression, she said that a psychiatrist and psychologist are 2 very different things. She did not got on to at least briefly tell me how. she said they needed someone who has experience working with bariatric patients. I told her my psychotherapist and psychologist have both worked with bariatric patients. She said in that case what I could do is to have them write a very detailed letter of my situation and the reasons they feel I should have surgery. I asked if there was a form they needed to fill out or speific questions they needed answered and she said now because everyone is different. (Obviosuly!) The she said that they would review this letter to see if it was acceptable. Let me just say, this just really upset me. I didn't think it would because I know it's a waiting thing and I can do that. But when you're mentally ready for something that is such a big deal because it is life changing and for the first time in a long time you feel focused and are taking all the necessary steps to make it happen and then you find out not only that the surgery may not even be approved in the end but you also receive that kind of poor, dismissive treatmenr from someone who is supposed to help...well...it did end up getting to me. I have been keeping a food and execrcisediary for about 3 weeks so fara and I ahave been doing well practicing for post op lifestyle...today I did not do well. I've been hungry all day and I think it's the frustration of this. Well, I guess I'll have to snap out of it and just be patient.

I just spoke to another hospital and they told me the decision will be made in July. I guess I'll have to wait.

I spoke to them today and they told me that Medicare has not approved Sleeve Gastrectomy and the review in able was not favorable. I'm so disappointed. Here I am getting my paper work together and everything and now this. At this point I'm unsure what to do. I tried to find out when the final decision will be made. I hope that they approve this. I'm really surprised they didn't here in NY and in Florida they do.

Yes, Medicare is for seniors or the disabled and Medicaid is for low income families

and thanks...I'm so glad and relieved to hear that Medicare covered you. Apparantely, my Medicare is my primary insurance and Medicaid is secondary. It looks like it's the same for you.

I have to pay $250 for the nutritionist and another $250 for the psychologist. I'm going to look in to another hospital and see what they say

Hi, I'm from Queens, NY. I was planning on getting my sleeve done at NYU but they told me today that Medicare doesn't cover this procedure. It's being reviewed and they may decide by the summer

So, after being so optimistic about this entire thing...I call my surgeon today to ask a few questions about paperwork and she tells me that my isurance (Medicare) does not cover sleeve gastrectomy. What?! I have printed material given to me by her office that states that it is. What's the deal? I'm so confused. Not to mention the insurance coordinator wasn't the friendliest person I've met. So I have an appointment on Wednesday to see the nutritionist first (to whom I have to pay a $250 fee non-refundable) followed by an appointment with the surgeon. I think I will ask to see the Doctor first and get things cleared out with her insurance coordinator. All the insurance coordnator told me was that it is not approved and that is it pending approval possibly by the summer. This is frustrating. I called Medicare to ask and they said sleeve gastrectomy was not on their list of approved procedures. I asked if there was any information in their system that states the status of approval or something of the sort and they had nothing. Does anyone know where else I might be able to find out? Does anyone know anything about this? Please let me know if you do. Thanks.

Congratulations! I am so happy for you. I can't wait to be saying those same words too. Your post title stood out to me, I can feel your hapiness , that's great!

My surgeon ordered I have an endoscopy done and it's today! I am happy to be in the process of getting all these tests done to get it out of the way so I can finally have the surgery. I see my nutritionist for the first time on Wednesday and pssible my surgeon. I'm focused, so ready to do this. I am feeling good today. I hope everyone here is feeling good too Have a great day everyone!

Thanks for your advice. What you are suggesting are all great ideas and definitely easier for me to do. I really can't wait to start exercising. I know it'll be tough at first, but I remember how good I felt when I did it years ago.

Wow, sounds like you're doing just great! Thanks so much for your support.

Well, It's been over 10 days that I've been tracking my calories on myfitnesspal.com I have done good so far. I need to increase the water but I have been doing so very slowly. I am kind of upset because I went over my calorie goal today...with a soft serve chocolate ice cream with sprinkles. It was the smallest size but still made me go over. But I am trying to forgive myself for it. Yesterday, I had Taco Bell for dinner and I was SOO surprised that by having 2 tacos a soda I didn't pass my calorie mark and I still had leftover uneaten calories. That made my day. But today was tough, my daughter had a problem at school...so I just had the ice cream.

For me, the tough part is walking in my neighborhood. I live in a overpopulated town and it just doesn't help my anxiety. I think I will try weekends at the park on the track field and maybe go to the gym. I have to find a way.

Thanks, Water aerobics sounds great when I start feeling confident enough to be seen in a swimsuit, haha! I have only done that when I go away on vacation with me daughter and nobody knows me. I know what you mean about th fat little stubs, I went up a shoe size and need wide shoes ugh! and the kankles!! terrible and painful. Oh how I long to have normal ankles and feel again.