RSREED53

Good luck with your surgeries! I am 7 weeks out now. Doing very well! Ronda

I stayed 2 nights, went home late afternoon on Day 3.Ronda

Obamacare is supposed to operate similarly, but the argument is the cost of supporting such a healthcare plan. I am drawing welfare due to decline in employment nationwide. Politically, the Republican Party is fighting the Congress over any new taxes. Our people face terrible economic conditions and no work!

When weather cools in the fall I will be exercising more. Hard to be outside when nearly 110 degrees! I find the protein is key to keep me from thinking hunger. If I take too much carb, I don't do as well with lost weight. Working so hard to reach 30 pound loss and inch into the 180's. Not too easy!! I do fine if my food is moist, not backed up into my throat. I seem to get nauseated if it backs up into my throat--I fear that I might choke. I tolerate soft, and smooth foods well. I will always have to use protein shakes to supplement my eating. Ronda

I love them! Took them to work with me while on PreOp Diet. Going to do it again when I go back to work in the fall.

Good job! I cannot wait to be there, too! Have about 8 pounds to go!! Ronda

So sorry you are faced with rescheduling. It is frustrating, I am sure!! Hang in there. I hope you can anticipate surgery with no glitches!! Good luck! :rolleyes:Ronda

Call Dr. Steven C. Simon, MD at 480-419-2280 for info, Kristie. SLC is an hour direct flight to Phoenix. Dr. Simon is WONDERFUL! He will guide you through this whole process. I am not sure what his fees are when you don't have ins or out of state, but he says he arranges financing to help with paying. He does surgery at Paradise Valley Hospital, located on E. Bell Road at 40th St. They are part of the Abrazo Network. Good luck, and keep me posted. :DRonda I have a friend hubby might be able to stay with while I am in the hosp.She lives in SLC Utah. It he/she anywhere near there(like within an hour or so?)? What are the fees? What is the docs name so I can look into them?

If you travel to AZ, my doctor is EXPERIENCED!! Has done thousands over 18yrs experience. I just feel very leery of MX because you will need follow up care that a PCP is limited in skill.

Sorry you are having a time with financing your treatment, Kristie. I got mine covered through State Medicaid(Mercy Care Plan). Do you have it in Indiana? Your income might be low enough for you to qualify. I believe the cost for me was $6600, and I have a copay of $5 each time I see the doctor for my follow ups. I would look into that if possible--too bad you aren't closer to Phoenix, because my doc would do it reasonably. He is excellent. You need to get it done here in the US because the follow ups are important to your overall recovery and treatment schedule. I think your family would be happy to see you get it done here in the States, anyway. I think if you googled financial support for bariatric surgery, you would find links to research options that way. Also, check with Indiana's Medical School Hospital to see if there is a grant program you could apply for financial help in getting surg at their teaching hospital. Usually, those cover all the expenses, and of course, you have to apply just as you would for enrolling into a college--income disclosures, etc. I know I had to get financial help 3 years ago because I had no money for the copay to get a heart catheterization; I wrote and applied to the hosp directly and they paid that bill for me. Had just lost my job, and I care for my mom who is on Soc Sec, 84 yrs old and sick with lung, heart, and diabetic problems. There will be a way for you to get surgery--albeit not on your timeline, but perhaps a better solution is in the works for you to get this surgery and treatment done. :rolleyes:Ronda

Rhonda, thanks so much for that info. I think I need to wait until I get a denial. Assuming that happens, I would definitely go for the peer to peer strategy. Would like to get the name of your surgeon, though. My sister is on ACCHS and is interested in WLS. ] Hi, AZ! My surgeon is Dr. Steven C. Simon, MD at Arizona Weight Loss Solutions. His no. is 480-419-2280. His office is located on Tatum Blvd, on the SW corner of the Desert Ridge Mall Entrance. He does his surgeries at Paradise Valley Hospital. Either way, I wish you and your sister the very best with getting your WLS needs met. I know Dr. Simon would be excellent at negotiating any needed support for treatment. Ronda

You have to take it in small steps. Don't overwhelm yourself. It is important to get fluids, vitamins, and follow dr's nutrition guidelines. I would also advise that you walk for exercise each hr. Ronda

I just wanted to look and feel pretty. My health was so declining that I needed to have WLS as revision to the gastric bypass I had 10 yrs ago. Preop was not a bad plan for me--I now am challenged by eating the solid foods. I am glad you are getting sleeved soon and wish you well. Ronda

They are being petty--I think your glitch is that Medicare was Primary. I don't think you would have had any problem had your Aetna plan been your primary carrier. However, your doctor could push for coverage and auth for the sleeve had he or she done a peer to peer conf call; I would ask for that. My surgeon did this for me, as I am on state Medicaid. I had surgery May 31st and am doing very well. I can give you name and no of my surgeon here in No. Phoenix, if you would be interested. He is the guru of bariatric treatment and very gifted in insurance negotiations. I wish you the very best in seeking treatment. :DRonda I think I have read all the Medicare posts on this forum and others, but I have not seen my particular tesituation so I would like to see if there are others like me. I have had an Aetna plan for quite some time as part of my pension benefit from the state of NJ. When I turned 65, I was required to also pick up Medicare. It is my primary and Aetna is my secondary. When I first started at the Banner Gateway Bariatric Center, the insurance clerk told me that I would not be able to get the sleeve since Medicare did not cover it. Even when I told her that I also had Aetna, she was very firm in her answer. I called Aetna four different times and was told by their agents that I would be covered. They had my card number that says I am Aetna Medicare. The original insurance agent is currently on leave and her replacement says they are requesting approval for the sleeve. Guess I will find out the answer sooner or later, but I would love to know if anyone else has this type of Medicare policy. I do not want the lapband and I am not a candidate for bypass. I have a "belt-line" which would make movement of the lap instruments difficult and open is just not an option given my age and previous surgical scar tissue. Would love to hear from other seniors in my position. Thanks!

I will only say that mothers always worry about their babies no matter what!! Mom was afraid for me to have WLS both times--I considered both surgeries lifesaving. The first surgery was gastric bypass 10 yrs ago that began failing me about 5 years ago. It took all this time to get OKd for revision to sleeve. I just think you need to be headstrong in doing surgery for YOU and YOUR HEALTH. Then once you have surgery, education about your new lifestyle, nutritional needs, etc. is in order--be the proof in the pudding for them and their doubts. If they see your efforts openly, my guess is they will be grumbling under their breath, "Why didn't I believe her???" Fear and doubt does strange things to people--typically those we are closest to--namely, our moms!! Good luck with everything, and I will be praying for good things happening with your surgery and your family. :DRonda

Hope you and Nancy are resting comfortably at home. Hugs! Ronda

If I were you, I would reschedule Orlando trip. You want to give yourself at least 3 weeks of time to heal and follow dr postop directions. It may not be easy to reschedule surgery, so I would just politely excuse myself from Orlando and reschedule that trip for about 6 weeks after surgery. Ronda

Sweetdreams, I am excited for you!! It will be just fine. You will be so glad to have the surgery and well on the way to recovery. I am 6 weeks out now and doing swell! Keep us posted on your progress and know that I along with others on the website are cheering you on to a successful recovery! Take care!! Ronda

Leslie, I am glad you are doing so well!! Just take extra care in doing dr's orders at home. I got to go home a day early, too. However, mine was revision surgery, so dr kept me in the hospital 3 days and 2 nights. But I agree that there is no place like home when you are on the mend!! Keep up the great progress!! Ronda

I hope you are doing better with the preop diet. It gets better, I promise. Leslie, I hope your surgery went well and that you are recovering nicely. I am 6 weeks out and doing very well. Ronda

I agree with Adri I am enjoying the new lifestyle changes. I have begun to eat some food now. It does get better! You need to decide if your health improvements are worth the change in your life. lol, I am also questioning my decision to have the surgery now. Been thinking about whether they will refund me or not (cash patient) and whether giving up the ability to have delicious food is worth it to look better and be healthier. ]

Make sugar free jello and puddings, light string cheese, Nonfat cottage cheese and Greek nonfat yogurt.

Sorry about your job--a class act jerk of a boss. :(Ronda

Tmela, you gotta follow drs orders. It gets better--I promise! You can do this! Hang in there! Ronda

Today I went to my dr for checkup. Overall, I have lost 27.5 pounds. Starting solids this week and continuing to progress the exercise mode. We have 110 degree heat now in Phoenix, so finding the safe place to exercise and work out is challenging. I go to the dr for my first monthly in August. I was sleeved May 31st, and feeling great. The stalling and sometimes frustrations of losing weight can be a problem. Dr. says not to graze over meals, so that tendency will be immediately stopped. He is afraid the snacking habits will sabotage the work of the sleeve. Ronda