Shadowcub

Nothing in over a year? Wow! Not even crickets chirping in here. (Must have all died of lonelieness, I guess.) I'm thinking about starting my fifth journey towards WLS at 47 with a BMI over 60. I have pretty much the whole list of co-morbidities other than diabetes: hypertension, sleep apnea, bad osteoarthritis in my knees, collapsing disks and bone spurs in my back, and on, and on, and on. A friend recently (Jan 19, 2015) had the gastric sleeve done. He's about 200 miles away, but is probably the only person who supports me. I've only got a couple of real friends here in Pittsburgh, PA, and since they're both in OA are dead set against me getting the surgery. Last night I saw that the Maestro, the vegus nerve "pacemaker", was approved a couple days ago. Too early to tell what insurances might cover it. I'm on SSDI due to all my co-morbidities and Medicare is funny. They cover WLS, and at my BMI, they don't really have any conditions for approval,. (The doctor I'd use DOES want 3 months weight loss attempt, pre-op education, and a bunch of tests to make sure I'm a reasonable risk for the surgery.) And Medicare just started covering Obesity Counseling. But medications, weight-loss shakes, etc. are all NOT covered. No idea if the Maestro will be covered as a type of WLS or excluded for being a lessor procedure. I'm concerned about the expected complications that go hand-in-hand with a RNY like malabsorption of Calcium, B-vitamins, difficulties getting enough Protein and Water, etc.And my local friends hype those potential problems. Being on Disability has me on a very tight budget and most of my food comes from food banks and food stamps so I'm not sure how I'll afford at the supplements I'll need post-op. Anyway, I have a feeling I'm talking into empty space, and maybe that's why I feel comfortable saying all this here. I'll shut up now and let the dust resettle.

I just heard about this last night and I, for one, am VERY interested! While Medicare covers WLS and more recently Obesity Counseling, it specifically exclude by matter of law weight loss medications. It will be interesting to see whether or not Maestro ends up getting covered. If it does, I think I would prefer this route, at least initially, to lose weight. I have a BMI of over 60 so getting approved for surgery is extremely easy. However, the idea of permanent malabsorption. with the possibility for malnutrition, from a RNY gives me pause. Maestro promises faster weight loss than diet and exercise alone, without the complications of rerouting the GI tract.

I have to admit, the potential for lifelong complications from malabsorption of nutrients post-RNY is a concern to me, But the biggest concern I have is that I will find a way, to put the weight back on post-op leaving me all the complications without any of the benefits.