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Grannyky, I have Quality Health Plan, medicare advantage and I am trying to find a surgeon who will accept it, no luck at all. I have been waiting so long for this, did the 6 month diet and it must be 6 months later still waiting. If I switched to Medicare, will cost more, so I need to stick with this one. Hope they can find me a surgeon.

Teri, Are you telling me Medicare pays your fills? That would be great news as the dr. said they don't. I will wait for your answer. Thanks. Karen

Hi, I was told this surgeon I went to isn't taking medicare anymore because they aren't paying for the fills for people. Is this true? Thanks, Karen

Oh wow! I talked to the coordinator at my medicare advantage plan, Quality Health. They are going to pursue Dr. Cywes for a contract but she couldn't tell me if they cover fills. She said that she wasn't familiar with that side of it . I am really going to be upset if they don't cover fills , only one. I won't be able to get it done as I am disabled also. Karen

Hi Nina, I was told at seminar that Medicare isn't paying the fills, is that right? I would appreciate your input, thanks a bunch. Karen

Hi, I went to seminar last night and they said medicare isn't paying for the fills, have you heard this??? I can't afford fills for sure. I can't believe this . Karen

Hi , I have a medicare advantage plan which they go by medicare guidelines. The surgeon's office told me I must go to seminar and then pay $600 for something , you get a book, nutritionalist,whatever else. I said I cannot afford that, I am on disability. She said save it. How do you save that on a fixed income? I told my insurance co., she said I don't see why you would have to pay that. I cannot so that will be the thing to stop me from getting lapband. I will be very unhappy. Did you ask Medicare about the $500? Thanks. Karen

Oh, thank you so much, glad to hear that! All I could think of was oh boy, I will be in the hospital. I sure hope I get approved. I am originally from northern New Jersey, grew up there. I have been in Florida for 26 years, never get used to this humidity though. Thanks for anwering. Keep up the good work! Karen

Alexis, Wow!! Congratulations, you are doing great! I didn't get my band yet but I was wondering something. I have 4 dogs. One of the 9lb dogs tends to just all of a sudden jump on my stomach. I am afraid once I get banded, it will break the band. I know I will have to keep a pillow in front of me. Has this happened to you with your cats? Karen

Ohhhhh, thank you so much! I don't want more hanging, ha! Some say protein , I have heard milk will keep it from getting loose, not sure how true it is. But thanks so much! Karen

Hi, wow, you have done so great!!! Congratulations! I am 56, not banded yet, still finishing up my 6 months with the dr. watching me. Listen, You look great so I need to know. I have chins and jowls and I asked my daughter what would happen to my face when I lose. She said my face will fall and I almost had a heart attack, maybe I should stay fat but NOT! Yours is nice, did you have chins too? Please help me. Karen

Hi Carol, Congratulations! Sounds like you are doing great! I have a question for you. I still am waiting to finish my 6 month watch before I can get approved. I am 5'3", 260lbs. I have double, maybe triple chins, ha ha! I have jowels too and I asked my daughter I wonder what will happen to my face when I lose the weight. She said it will FALL!!! Is this true?? Usually when people lose weight, their face shrinks. Oh my God, makes me afraid to lose the weight if my face is going to be horrid. Maybe you can tell me how yours has done. Thanks so much and keep up the great work! Karen

I lost 14lbs in 2 weeks on Southbeach Diet and enjoyed all the food, I love that diet.

Hi, there is some good info if you go on to Obesity Action Coalition and sample letters. Good Luck. Karen

Jason, did you get banded yet? Listen to this. You know I have a medicare advantage plan which follows the paying guidelines of medicare. Well I need to follow a 6 month program. Today, the girl at my doctor's office said I should start by going to a seminar and that the surgeon sets you up with a nutrionist and it costs $500 up front ?????? She said they have to get approval for you and that is what costs. I am so confused and sick of this. Any ideas? Did you have to pay $500? Did you go to the seminar? Thanks Jason Karen

Hi, where did you get the guidelines from? I have a medicare advantage plan but they are supposed to use medicare guidelines and I sure would like to see them. Thanks. Karen

Jason, thanks for answering. I like the medicare advantage. I'm too young to get a medicare supplement to help with prescriptions so this really helps me, I take 6 prescriptions and costs me no more than $5.60 each one. No copays for doctors or surgery center, so I really like it. I guess I will have to wait the 6 months. Medicare does the 6 month wait they said too. I really can't afford to switch to regular Medicare. Thanks for the suggestions though. I slept last night thank goodness. I just have to think everything happens for a reasion, right? ttyl Karen

Hi Jason, Well, found out that my doctor's office withdrew my referral from doctor to insurance co. I was waiting a month to hear something. I have the medicare advantage plan if you recall and they follow medicare guidelines and now the doctor's office said I need to diet for 6 months, I am really upset because of the way it was done. I didn't sleep last night, really stressed. Six months seems so long. Thanks for listening. My excitement level went so far down. ttyl

Linda , that's okay. I am praying to skip the 6 month thing, LOL! I really wish they would but I will see when I hear from them I guess. Well, will let everyone know when I do hear from them. Take care! Karen

That's great Linda! You are so fortunate to have had the diets in the record. I don't and of course I haven't dieted the last six months, gave up. Just gain it back. I wish so bad they would let me get it, I have lots of medical issues and my knees are tearing, the cartiledge. Did your daughter in law's mother have the 6 month diet on record too? Well thanks for answering and best of luck to you! Karen

Gee Linda, I have all the things you do except fibromalgia.I have copd also. Best of luck. That's great you can just get set an appt. I guess you did the 6 months? Did you do that with your primary or surgeon? Karen

Hi, it's me again. I called the lapband number and they are sending me a list of surgeons in the area. They said to go to the surgeon that takes my insurance. I am confused as I had my primary doctor fax my info to the insurance co. and put somebody's name on that they don't know if they are in network. Now I don't know if I should go see a surgeon , don't want to get insurance mad at me either. Well thanks a bunch, hope to get the list soon. Karen

Hi, did you have to do a 6 month diet program first before they would approve it? Congratulations and best of luck ! Karen

Thank you . I did get a great letter from my primary doctor to my insurance co. I was told they will cover the surgery if you meet the qualifications and believe me I do. Thanks Karen

Thank you so much, you are so sweet! I will call tomorrow. Hey, that was easy right, 1 800 lapband, ha! Thanks again, Bless you too! Best of luck on your journey! Karen