JoannMarie

I agree with Deanna. I think if I had to face an aerobics class 5 times a week, I'd take up running - the other way just as fast as I could! There are other activities out there. Depending on your physical abilities and/or limitations, maybe you could give something else a try. I will be the first to admit exercise on a regular basis will probably be more of an issue with me than the food I can and cannot eat. I have severe arthritis in knees, ankles, and feet, so I will ease into it and hope that as I begin to lose pounds, it will be easier to find the motivation to keep it up. In fact, maybe it would be a good idea to do that starting tomorrow... :confused_smile:

Wow! Good luck to both Karen and Plevy! You must be so excited... I am looking forward to hearing how everything is going for you.

The doctors in my area are operating on and treating patients into their early 70's. It probably depends on their general health and risks of complications from the surgery. I am 66, and have had no indication I would not be a candidate for surgery and the followup care. One of the centers I contacted had an age limit of 65, but the others (3-4) were more lenient. My center of choice is reviewing my file at this time and I hope to hear this week about appointments with the dietition and psychologist for evaluations and education. My overall health is very good, for which I am thankful. I do have severe arthritis which should be helped considerably by the surgery and weight loss. I do like this site and the support we provide for each other. Best wishes to all of you - we are making huge positive changes in our lives! Joann :redface:

Hi KC! Yes, I'm working with Dr. Hoehn at Shawnee Mission Med Cntr. I am a medicare patient and from what I hear, the approval process can be faster with them than some of the other ins companies if you have the documented diet history. At any rate, I'm hoping that is the case. A call from Shelley last week indicated that they are reviewing my file. Then I get to start the psych eval, dietition, and any other evaluations they deem necessary. The waiting is a bummer, but I appreciate that they are very thorough. I'm excited!! and so glad to hear your experience has been good. You are very determined and you are making it work for you. God Bless!

Hi Lynn, Thanks for the suggestion. I have been meaning to do this for awhile, though not with a lot of information just yet. Still early in the process, and I will add more as I go along. It is surprisingly hard to put all that out there right now. I think it will be easier for me to share when I feel I REALLY have something to share... You are right, though - it is helpful to understand where we all are in the process.

Hi KC Hoping -- Where were you banded? I've been working with Shawnee Mission MC group and so far I am happy with them. They have been keeping me informed as my paperwork has been completed and they are reviewing. Everyone has been very helpful. I am just hoping for sooner rather than later - just like everybody else!! How has your weight loss been going? Joann

Phyl, I am with you about enjoying your time eating out with friends. NeverB4 made me think about those concerns we have about "what others think". As a person who is morbidly obese, I have been painfully aware of other people checking out my plate of food when I'm out with a group ("wow, that's a lot of food"). Many of you who are already banded are concerned about the same thing (wow, she's going to get sick if she doesn't start eating more"). Last night I was at a pot luck dinner function - and found myself checking the plates around me! Lesson learned: I need to let go of all that. A friend across the table from me last night was banded about 3 months ago. She has been going through awful job stresses since before banding. But she has lost 25 pounds, is looking wonderful, has more energy, and is dealing with the stresses of life with optimism and a can-do attitude. Whatever she is doing is working for her. God bless her and all of you who are making such positive changes in your lives. I pray that we will all make the right food choices for ourselves and no longer worry about what our friends and families think. (this from a woman who has told ONE of her children about her band-plan, but not the other two - yet!) Thank God we are still His work in progress. Joann

Young at Heart - you should followup on this option and get your questions answered. For Medicare coverage you have to go to a Center of Excellence for your surgery. Check the website at www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareApprovedFacilitie/BSF/list.asp where you can put in your location and pull up a listing of the COE's in your state and neighboring states. I live on the western edge of Missouri, and find the COE's in eastern Kansas are the closest for me. From info I have read on this site (and everyone's experience is different, of course) I think coverage is pretty straightforward - if you have BMI of 40 or over - or - BMI of 35 with comorbidities like diabetes, heart problems, arthritis - you should have coverage. Of course, each doctor/facility has their own requirements, so the only way to know is to start calling and talking to them. I am 3 months into the process - started with one COE, but was recently told they have a backlog of MC patients and I could be put off until next spring. I have begun the process with another COE and it is looking better with them. They are projecting surgery this fall. The process requires that you be your own advocate as we always should be with our health. My approach is to be both nice AND persistent! I also do any of the legwork that will help me out. Check out other threads on this site. For the most part, the posts are so positive and so many lives have been changed by this surgery. We also have to be aware of any negative issues, of course, because any surgery has its risks. For me, the prospect of crippling arthritis, which has already taken a toll on my life, is just too devastating to accept without a fight. No matter what diet program I have tried I lose and gain the same 2-3 pounds over and over. I have given up, fought, given up - and now I am fighting again. I have an active husband who is the greatest of husbands, and young grandchildren I want to play with. I wish you good luck as you start your journey... Joann

SueBaby - You can go to the Medicare site to see a listing of Centers of Excellence in Texas. MC only provides coverage through Centers of Excellence. I just checked the website and saw 2 entries that I'm sure are in or near Houston (a hosp listed actually in Houston and Baylor Univ). There were 4 pages of COE's in Texas. The site is www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareApprovedFacilitie/BSF/list.asp Your hubby could not have Medicare coverage on his surgery until he is covered by MC, of course, but I have been told MC covers fills. (I learned this on this site, so further questions should be asked. Different facilities could have different requirements.) Try calling all of the COE's listed in or around Houston and ask as many questions as you can. Good luck in your Quest... Joann

Hi Katie, I've been working with the Topeka group, too. However, I am a Medicare patient and there seems to be a backlog of us at Tallgrass/St. Francis. It looks like it may be many months before I even have my consultation. I'm looking into other options and may be able to move the process along through another center of excellence... I was impressed with the Topeka folks. Was your experience good? I wish you best of luck. JoannMarie

Karen, I am a dedicated quilter (dedicated - that means I spend more money on that art form than I should). I have done traditional quilts for years, and am experimenting with smaller art quilts. It's fun. Keeps me off the streets... Joann

Stitchy, thanks for that advice. I should probably make better use of this waiting time to do the same! Your numbers are awesome! I hope I will be as successful with my journey. You are inspiring. Joann

Sorry to hear about your surgery postponement. However, it sounds like you are having good success with your current eating plan. That can only help you out post surgery. My chosen doc's office tells me June or July, and I've not heard any updates for several weeks. I keep telling myself IT'S ALMOST JUNE!!! to keep my encouragement level up, but I am sure looking forward to having a date with surgery! I know where you are coming from! Good luck to you - please continue to keep us posted... Joann

Hi NormaJean, You should check with the doctor about that question. One would think they would do the hernia surgery first if it would be made worse by the lapband procedure. Joann

Bjane, read the post above your last post - the one quoting GayleTX. She can be your role model from here on out. What a story! Gayle makes me ready to go under the laproscope TODAY!! (used to be "under the knife", remember?) Ask your questions tomorrow, get the answers, and focus on your successful future! You are lucky to be so close. I'm still waiting for the call and hoping it comes sooner! Joann

I'm a bit concerned about the need for a TT. Here again, does Medicare pay?? kinda doubt it. Joann

Thanks Mommy2 for that information. I also have severe arthritis and am not looking forward to pre-surgery time off Celebrex. I've had to do that before and it was terrible. I am hopeful getting weight off will help, but I know it won't make it all go away... I am hoping to be banded in June or July and hope I'll be able to take Celebrex after the surgery. I have never had a stomach issue with it in about 12 years. Joann

Congratulations, Karen. Hang in there! Joann

Good luck to you, Grammy! I'll be thinking of you next Monday. Let us know how you are doing... Joann

All of you are so inspiring. I have done the research and now trying to find the right facility - will go to the 3rd and last seminar this weekend, then make my choice. I am ready! I won't feel guilty or ashamed. I HAVE tried, many times, as have all of you. I have reached the point where only the most drastic of diets will help me lose weight, and the subsequent "maintenance" plan leads to weight gain almost immediately. At some point I just give up. Keep trying, but without real hope. Those of you in your 30s and 40s are in the perfect position. I am 65 - no lifethreatening co-morbidities (thank God), but very severe arthritis that limits me physically. As my doctor said - can't exercise without losing weight, can't lose weight without exercising... I have a very active, very supportive husband, but I feel like I am holding him back and keeping him from enjoying those things he loves to do. No more. I count my blessings that he is healthy, and I don't yet have the really bad stuff that comes with being overweight. We have a chance. Please don't feel guilty about saving your life - and don't allow ANYONE to make you feel that way. Many of you have kids to play with and raise. Kids take a lot of energy and strength. You are taking the steps to make sure you have what it takes to make life good for you and your kids. As for me - I'm making plans with my wonderful grandchildren! I wish all of you great success.

Hey - that fork thing - now that's a good idea! The face pain will make you forget all about the second poptart (have to finish the first, though).:Dancing_wub:

There are several resale shops in our area that would be able to sell them and at the same time you can check for transition duds that will get you to the next level (going down!!). Most of the clothes at issue with me will be casual, as I've been retired for 3+ years and the more professional pieces are now in other hands. One of my friends at my former job shopped resale 2 or 3 times a month, basically exchanged what she had been wearing for something new (to her). Not a weight issue with her - just loved having something new to wear. I worked with her for 8 years and don't remember seeing the same outfit on her twice! and she always looked GREAT! Much as we would like to BURN the old - this sounds like much more fun in the long run, especially as shopping for clothes becomes a fun activity and not just another heart breaking experience. Look for a resale shop that specializes in plus sizes - they are out there. Have fun trying on a smaller size!

Hi Karen! I am a grandma (of 4 - oldest is 23, youngest grandson just turned 1 year old yesterday) and a great-grandma of a 15 month old girl. We all have the same incentive - being active and able to enjoy these wonderful children! I also love to quilt and enjoy cooking. I think so many of us on the 60+ forum have a lot in common, and good shared experiences. I, too, began the serious weight gain because of severe arthritis and knee surgeries which restricted my ability to exercise. I'm back in that situation with the other knee now. Doc recommended injections in that knee to help stave off replacement. The injections seem to be working and I have begun to exercise. The lapband and subsequent weight loss will make all the difference. I am determined to make this work. I am still in the researching stage, just trying to find the right facility that accepts medicare assignment for hospital charges AND the doctor's charges - AND does not have a 2 year waiting list for medicare patients (as one of the nearby facilities has). I am attending a seminar on April 12th that I believe will open that door for me. I am READY! I love your parents already! What a wonderful gift for you - please accept their gift with love and appreciation, and begin to plan how you can pass their love on through you to your children and grandchildren. I believe that's what we are all here for... Good luck to you Joann

Can I join this list? JoannMarie, 65, Independence, MO In the Quest for banding

Karen, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow! Please keep us posted on your situation. I agree we are all at risk. Our ins agent keeps telling us that docs will have to continue to accept Medicare assignment because of the aging population. I don't agree. I've heard too many stories of docs opting out or not accepting new MC patients. It's a worry, but I guess all we can do is keep on keepin' on. Joann