JoannMarie

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.

Indio - are you back home from your trip? We need a report! Joann

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

Long2bThin??? Better start thinking of a new name for yourself! It won't be long and you'll have to be "Great2bThin"... You are making it happen. Good luck on this journey. 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

Dianne - I love your picture with palm trees and ocean in the background. HOWEVER, I love spending time at Bennett Springs, and I happen to know there are no palm trees or oceans anywhere near! Your home area is so beautiful and special. Travel is great, but it must be very nice for you to come home, too. Janet - Your success has been amazing. The pictures speak for themselves. I'm impressed that your little dog thinks you look pretty fantastic, too. (or does he/she just like to have a picture taken, too?) You are absolutely beautiful and radiant - and it comes from good health and a happy person. You can be my food cop anytime - you obviously have this process down and your advice to me will always be welcome. I'm hoping for surgery early fall... The wheels are turning. I wish all of the new bandsters on this site good luck on this adventure. It sounds like you are all doing great and I am excited for each of you! Joann

Bjane, it's good to hear from you. It sounds like you have everything under control - and you are losing pounds. The name of the game... Keep us posted. I am living my dream through all of you - hope to be banded in the fall. The wheels are turning, and my file is being reviewed, per the "intake coordinator" today. I was sure happy to talk with her! Makes me feel I'm not the only one working on this! Good luck to you! Joann

Your discussion with the anesthesiologist just proves some of our medical professionals would be better suited to a more solitary career - and the rest of us would be better off without them in the O.R. Unfortunately, those types of comments are always so shocking to me I can't think of a quick comeback. Thanks to your experience I may be a bit better prepared for that. I do hope you discuss his attitude with your surgeon. The docs should be aware of these situations - I don't think they want their patients insulted or belittled. You are a very nice person - I wish you great success this week as you begin this adventure. It sounds like you have your act together and are ready to change your life! As for me, I am "actively" waiting for the wheels to grind. According to the doc's requirements I have all my records and information in and waiting to take the next step. I would love to hear what that step is this week... Waiting in Missouri, Joann :ohmy:

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

Hi bjane, So happy to hear you are on your way! I'm glad you went ahead in spite of your second thoughts. I'll bet you will do just great and be so happy with your decision. Please keep us posted with your progress and GOOD LUCK to you! Joann

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

All of you are my inspiration as I am waiting for my doc to pull my name out of the hat. They tell me June or July. I keep reminding myself JUNE IS JUST A FEW DAYS AWAY! All the paperwork I have been assigned to have completed is in their hands, so hopefully they will be calling me soon. The weather fronts in the midwest have been playing havoc with my severe arthritis and it's been pretty awful. I know the weight loss will not make the disease go away, but I also know pounds off these knees and feet will be a huge help. I look forward to walking the dogs and going to the gym again. It is so good to have all of you to keep me on the right track and remind me of the positive direction I have chosen. Thank you, and good luck to all of us... 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

Hi NonnaD I have not been banded yet, still in the application/testing process, so I cannot answer your question - but I'm sure glad you asked it! Thanks, Phyll and Skittles for your answers, as I 'm sure a lot of us newbies were wondering the same thing. It sounds as if it's like a lot of things - we'll find out for sure when we get there. I have read from several posts that your tastes change and the things you worry about missing the most will no longer be an issue after a while. I'm willing to go with that! I'm a big fan of protein, and I think the protein requirement helps to satisfy a lot of hunger issues. Good luck to you, Joann

Opus, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. DH and I will have #48 this October. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to lose him. You have my thoughts and prayers. I hope your path will be easier now that you have so many roadblocks behind you. God Bless. 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

Phyl, you really do look great. I can really see the difference - even with baggy clothes, your face shows two things: losing weight BIG TIME, and HAPPY! You look beautiful! I'm so glad to hear you are doing so well. I've taken the first steps - decision, application, scheduled for the psych evaluation next week, all other paperwork in - hope to be banded early this summer. You are my inspirational thought for the day! 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

From my research I know medicare only pays a fraction (small fraction) of what the docs charge. I can't blame them for taking a limited number of medicare patients/month in order to maintain their facilities, staffing, equipment, etc. It's all expensive! The one location I found with the long waiting list had been taking names while awaiting their approval as a Center of Excellence. It took a long time and now they have a very long waiting list. Medicare has been covering this surgery for just a little over a year, and lots of facilities have applied to become the Center of Excellence medicare requires them to be. It's a long process and things will probably loosen up in time. I am happy to find the facility I have found - even though I have to drive about 180 miles round-trip. Even with the cost of travel I will come out ahead because I can hopefully get it done early this summer. My application is in, my psych evaluation is set up for early May, and I have met the other requirements of medicare. I'm told my number should come up early June and I'll have my consultation and set a date for surgery which should be a few weeks following that consultation. So far, so good. I have done a lot of research and know this is the tool I can work with. Just wish I could have it done yesterday! Thanks for your input. Joann