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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Thanks for this. It's very helpful. I am so glad you're doing well. I hope I will be able to start walking soon after surgery. I am trying now, like I said I walked some this week.

Why can't you? Is it pain or fatigue?

I haven't been given an exact date yet. I've been told it should be around August or September. I am hoping the sooner.

Very good point, thanks! I did end up walking 2 days out of this week for one hour per day. So I am happy I was able to do that at least.

Oh, thanks. I figured the first part but did not know the second. Makes sense.

I like to walk, of course it's not easy as before because of all the excess weight. I have to walk at a fairly slower pace, my feet hurt and my ankles get swollen when I stand or walk for too long. I also plan on joining a gym after surgery, but do need to start walking know since someone here mentioned muscle loss because of rapid weight loss. Can anyone tell me how that muscle loss would affect me? I think I know, but just want to make sure. I am so looing forward to the surgery. The waiting is tough. I am focused and ready. The reason I barely get out is because I suffer from depression and anxiety. I know I will be able to make all my medical appointments. I am just so self conscious now but I am trying. I went out for an hour walk with my daughter over the weekend. I was proud of myself. Well, just needed to check-in and say hello. Mari

Thanks! Yes, I also think the toughest part is not drinking with meals.I've heard an hour before and an hour after. Is that true? I wonder why that is except for the obvious of getting full. I hope we can at leat take a sip of Water. You and I will have our surgeries around the same time. I'm definitely trying to have the mental part ready for all of this. So far I've been okay. I just need to get those 8 cups of water in. I often feel thirsty. Good Luck to you too. Thanks again.