LainieG

How are some of your doctors or how are you handling the deductible for Part A Medicare Thanks LainieG

Good luck Sonia !!

So I go to the seminar last night so I find out about insurance. The office tells me it last an hour or so. They had not gotten to the insurance after and hour and a half and I had to leave as I had a ride waiting for me. Needless to say I was ticked off. Guess I will find out hopefully next week at the medicare boot camp. Tell me, if anyone knows.....I currently am on Medicaid (Mo Healthnet). Will begin Medicare on October 1st. Will I keep medicaid as my secondary (medi-gap) ? I have a spend down with medicaid of over 1000.00 per month. If I have the surgery, I am assuming that Medicare will pay and medicaid will pick up the rest since the spend down was met. But it still appears that somewhere I am going to have to dish out $1000.00 (to the hospital). I would ask Medicaid but they are as confused about their program than me. I talked to 2 different people when I went on Medicaid, no we don't cover WLS. Finally got hold of someone who knew, yes we do !! They have a lot to learn. So confused

I am going to a seminar tonight that I should have attended some time back. I am sure that I will find out more information there, or I hope so. Medicaid has proven not to be helpful for me at all. I have a spend down of 1097.00 per month,, which I have only met 3 times in the last year. I have had it for 3 years but with my medical issues and having leukemia I was able to meet. But the last year my visits to doctors and the hospital has greatly reduced, which is a great thing, but not if I have to rely on medicaid. I am still going to get a supplemental, hoping that I can drop the medicaid. I have another seminar next week called Medicare Boot Camp. It should help me understand this better so I can proceed. I am afraid that I have not done a very good job at checking into everything. I have to have work done on my teeth and it took me a year to save 2600 to get them done. The chemo destroyed my teeth so bad that I had to get upper dentures and now lower. I just have a bad feeling that my surgery is not going to happen as I had hoped. I have a feeling it is going to be put off due to financial reasons. Kind of bummed right now, but maybe tonight will help and give me good news. Thanks for all who replied, very helpful, Lainie

I failed to say if you have not met your deductible do they require you to pay it before surgery. I am thinking not but no surprises. I do not start getting medicare until October 1. I have some test in October so I think they will be enough to cover.

Hi Linda, I can't believe that the requirements for a diet plan are different state by state. Medicare is federal and I thought all states were the same for everything, guess I just found out differently. I am going tomorrow night to the seminar so I will find out what Missouri has. Hoping that I get everything done so I can have the sleeve in November. Lainie

Has anyone used Medicare for covering surgery ? Is it submitted to medicare after all tests are done ? Is there required weight loss and how much or for how long ?

I am going to my family doctor on Tuesday and have him start me on an "official" three month diet. My plan is to replace one, maybe two meals with a Protein shake and an evening meal low in calories. That should get me close to three months, hitting November and hopefully near surgery time.No point in putting off all these changes, i.e. the weaning process ! Lene716, is yours scheduled for October ? Grammy, hope I am in Nov with you. Lindalue, let me know how yours goes. Keep in touch all !! Lainie G "Making it happen" I am 59 and on retired disability with a horrid bad back and am a cancer survivor

Some on here talk about getting hungry. I thought that you were not supposed to get hungry as your stomach is so much smaller. I think that is only the one problem I have. How will I handle it and can I resist temptation ? I have wanted this for so long and now it is going to happen. I know I have to keep positive, but feel going into this feeling this way is a detriment and I have to get over it. Will appreciate any advice or comments Lainie "Make it happen"

Thanks for all the comments, they helped very much. Good luck to all !

WOW, that is great !! Keep up the good work !!

I did not attend a seminar at the time I saw the doctor. I am going tomorrow evening. I am on Medicaid right now but go to Medicare in October. I saw the doctor several months ago and have done some of the tests but what is holding me up is some tooth repair which I had to save up 2600.00 for. That and all tests will be completed in October. I have not been told anything from his office about what medicare needs. Guess maybe I may find out tomorrow night or I will call them. My weight has been the same for several years within 10 - 15 pounds either way. I lost 40 3 years ago but that was due to leukemia. I have since put that back on. Yours seemed to be a snap, hope mine will be too !! Good luck I'm adding you as a friend if you don't mind, let me know how it goes for you

has anyone been required to lose 10% of your weight ? My doctor never said anything about losing any. Is it not required by all docs ?

Not sleeved yet, but been trying drinks too. Premier I have found to be better than a couple of others I tried. Pure and ESA I have tried, Pure is a rank below Premier and ESA, Yuck !! I am doing unflavored powder, 1 cup skim milk, strawberries (frozen), banana, all blended together. I do not add Water or ice, the frozen strawberries does the thickening. I also use frozen mixed fruit. Someone on here told me about NOW she found on amazon. I looked at it and can buy a 6 pk of flavorings, I remember choc, vanilla, rasp, caramel, irish creme, mixed with almond milk

Thanks for the replies to each of you, they really helped. I will practice what you have mentioned.

Cant answer your questions because I am not sleeved yet (hope Nov). But, it sounds like you are doing well, just a few hiccups along the way. Be proud of what you did, a big accomplishment Good Luck !!

Can someone tell me the average cost spent per month for the Vitamins and Protein drinks. Does Medicare cover these ? Thanks !!

Thanks Micro and Jamie, this helps a lot just kind of know what to expect. I just had no idea. I tried the Pure Protein also and the Premium Protein and liked the Premium a little better, although very close. Does the powder have the same taste as the cans. What do you mix it into, Water, milk ??

Is the pre-op prep any different with diabetes ? What happens when your blood sugar drops ? Are you allowed something sweet ?

Thanks for the information, that helps !! I am on Humalog, Lantus and Metformin and I hope to be rid of all of them after surgery. You are doing well, Good Luck !!

I am not sleeved yet but I have heard that you have to wait a year, now why, I don't know. I have read others say that the alcohol hits your system really fast and they caution on driving, etc. Most of all, it appears it just may be the sugar that it contains. I am a margarita drinker so I understand your question. Best thing, talk to your doctor. Good Luck !!

The carbonation will stretch out your sleeve. Your friend is not doing the right thing. If he keeps it up he will fail and gain weight back. Alcohol is an issue because of the sugar. My niece had the lapband and lost 150 lbs. The problem that I see is the band can be loosened or tightened therefore consuming more food. I am worried about her because she is gaining some back. I've also read that the alcohol will hit you system faster and I have read to use caution when driving. I also read somewhere that you can have alcohol after 2 months up to a year. Question I have for my doctor. All I drink are margaritas and a beer occasionally. With the condition I am in now I will not miss the alcohol. I bet you will find you don't need it because you are going to be involved with so many new things. If these guys are friends they will support you. Going with this surgery is major, which is more important, getting healthy or having a beer with the boys. Good luck to you. Please post how you surgery goes next week !!

I am feeling out some information on supplements and an average cost per month. Also, does insurance cover any of these, either private or Medicare I am trying to decide on Protein as I would like to start trying some. Has anyone found some that taste decent ? liquid or powder better ? No sleeved yet, finishing everything I need in October. Thanks Lainie

Does no one take supplements or use Protein ? Thought I would get lots of answers

I have not been sleeved yet, but carbonated beverages are banned for life. A friend of mine does drink diet coke, but only after leaving it open and the carbonation released. Not something I would try, not too tasty. You Dr should have told you this, talk to him about your concern.