Lovely Lady

I am so nervous, but excited at the same time. I got a phone asking what surgery did I want. I decided to have the sleeve. I was given a date to talk to the surgeon on April 16th to be sure I have all my information I may need to have. Then I also have a date surgery! It is scheduled for April 28th. Is there any questions you can think of that I should ask the surgeon?

Congratulations on your weight loss

I had my last nutrition class today. I lost 5 more pounds. The surgeon's nurse asked me am I sure I want lap band. I said Yes! She said how the success rate is poor, and how Medicare wont cover for the removal of the lap band and have another surgery. I have all the fills follow up appointments to deal with as well. She said she thought it was in my best interest to have the sleeve. And Medicare does cover the surgery. I plan to do some research about the sleeve. I want to make the right decision for Me! But I would like your feedback.

I am suppose to start keeping an exercise log. But I can't exercise right now. I sprained both ankles.

I am following your suggestions. I am now working on building my upper body while my ankles are healing. My right ankle is feeling better, but my left one is still pretty sore. I was watching this younger man try the arm lifts I was using. I was lifting 50 lbs. He couldn't lift that as easy as I was.

The W.L. Center is an Center of Excellence. They are contracted to work with Medicare patients. I have already talked to the Program Cordinator. She is the one who told me about the Medicare patients who are waiting and are currently trying to find a way to pay for the removal of the band. I just cant take a chance and have a problem with the band and have no way to find an answer.

Where I am going to, Medicare wont pay Lap Band removal or any revisions. I called another W.L. Center and they said the same thing.

I talked further with the W.L. Center. They asked me if I decided what surgery I decided to have. I told them that is a hard decision for me to make, they are both good surgeries, and I think I would do fine with either one of them. The nurse explained how they have a few Lap Band patients that are needing to have their band removed, and how Medicare doesn't want to cover for the cost. The patients are right now, trying to figure out how to pay for themselves. The nurse said she doesn't want me to be in a situation like they are. I am just not willing to take a chance, so I plan to get the sleeve.

I was told that since I do have some comorbidities, that I have nothing to worry about so long as my BMI doesnt go under 35.

My BMI is now below 40. I am worried I will be denied surgery because of my weight loss. I have asthma, arthritis, and 2 knee replacements. Is that enough comorbidities to get approved?

I am also undecided what to have. I know Lap Band is a lot of work, and that is OK with me. I am about 2 months away from surgery. The nurse told me how the band doesn't have the success rate like the sleeve. A lot of W.L. Centers don't like doing the band any more. The band can slip, I will need to have it filled or unfilled, or even have it removed. If I have to have the band removed, I cant have a different weight loss surgery. Insurance wont pay for it! It is reversible. If I chose the Sleeve, I don't have to go back as much. They take out the hunger hormone. Better success rate. I was told insurance will pay for the sleeve, but I have heard other patients say how they were turned down for the sleeve and ended up have a different W.L. surgery. This is permanent. I don't know which surgery I want to have either.

Well, if Medicare will pay for the band and not the sleeve, then the decision will be made by Medicare what surgery I will have.

Bandarella, That is just what I will do! Thank you everyone for your feedback!

I don't know if I can convince my surgeon to do Lap Band on me. I was told by his staff, he really doesn't want to do them any longer. I have seen my friend who has Lap Band done struggle with what she can eat. This happens to her almost everyday. I know she is not following her Dr.'s orders. I did call another location and asked them. They said alot of places are trying to find a way to quit doing Lap Band. The WL Centers doesnt want to deal with all the follow up care that the Lap Band requires. They said with the Sleeve, patients results don't require a lot of follow up care! If I had my way I would have Gastric Plication, but I know Medicare doesn't pay for that. With Gastric Plication, nothing is cut, rerouted,and no foreign body implanted. The stomach is folded and sutured. It is reversible too! I have 2 more months to decide what surgery I decided to have. I am getting very tired of my weight. I plan to follow my Dr.'s guidelines so I have good results.

I went to my last nutrition class. I was told by the staff that the Lap band surgery that I was thinking about having, has poor results and how Medicare doesn't like to cover for complications like port slips or erosion. So they said I should have the sleeve. Less follow up visits. the band is like a belt, hard to get it right. I tried to check with Medicare to check about the band, and got no where. I know I need to have weight loss surgery, but which surgery should I have?

I just called Medicare and explained what the W.L. Center said. I asked them if they pay for lap band complication such as erosion and slipping. That was of no help. They didn't know the answers and referred me back to the W.L. Center.

I have my last nutrition class on Tuesday. I called and asked my status is about scheduling surgery for me. I was told that it wont be until May sometime. I have to wait because he is booked up until then. I don't know what to do. I feel very frustrated with me having to wait so long!!

I decided to share with other people that I am comfortable telling, that I do plan to have Lap Band. I always seem to hear the same same- I AM NOT LOOK FAT AND HOW I DON'T NEED LAP BAND. I know that since I am 5'8" is tall, but I weigh 266 lbs - and that is morbidity obese. I don't think they are saying that to be nice, I think they really believe I really don't need surgery to lose weight. What do you think? Am I wrong for wanting Lap Band surgery?

I received a letter which was from Psychologist for surgery 12-13-13. It said I had to get a Neuropsychological exam before he would consider me for surgery. I had on previously done on 12-17-12 for DBS surgery. I have Essential Tremors. I had surgery on 3-14-13. It was a success! I went back to the NeuroPsychologist on 1-6-14 and got a clearance. Now that report will be sent to the Weight Loss Psychologist.

I don't eat a lot of junk food. I have cut my portion size and sodas are out of my diet. I am trying to cut down on eating beef. I now am eating mostly white meat from chicken and I like eating salads. I don't use a lot of dressing. I am trying to eat healthier then I was. This weight is not helping my arthritis. I was told by my PCP that losing weight is the best thing I can do to help . I don't expect a quick fix to my weight problem. I have learned there is no such thing as a quick fix! I created the problem, it is now up to me to figure out how to deal with it. I know it is going to be a lot of work. I think I can do this with the support I get from this site .

I weighed in today at 265.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Back to 269.0lbs.

I received a letter saying that the Psychologist is concerned about me being able to take care of myself. He wants me to go to a different Psychologist for further testing. I am scared the other Dr will turn me down for surgery! I have already talked to the nurse from the surgeon's office who told me I was approved by the Psychologist on 10/29. I have my husband to help me if I need help. He is attending the classes with me so he can learn how to help. So I don't see why I should have to go see anyone else, especially since I am approved for surgery!