Hi there - I am 65 years young, and debating on whether or not to check

out the lap band surgery. I have just remarried, and have wonderful new husband that is supportive in every way. We both lost our spouses, with

health problems, and wish to spend the next 20 or so years enjoying life. I

am very interested, however do not seem to find a physician in my area.

Does Medicare cover any of this for morbidly obese patients?

Thanks for your feedback.

Iodine:tt2:

Iodine, I don't think you're ever too old! I was banded in May at the age of 55. When I went to my pre-op seminar there were about 40 people attending and I think about 9-10 of them were older than me, several in their 60's, and the question came up --- you are not too old! It's never too late to make positive changes and work towards a happier, healthier, longer life!

Hi Iodine,

I don't think that you are too old to consider lap-band surgery. I am 64 years old and just had band surgery last week in Santa Barbara, California. My doctor never made a comment at all about my age. I would imagine that a lot depends on your physical health now. My doctor has his patients go through a battery of tests to determine if they are healthy enough to go through it. I had about 8 different test, including heart and lungs and just about anything else that I could think of. Some doctors don't require that, but I think most do. Some require weight-loss on your own (I had to loose 5% of the amount that I needed to loose, and that is so that he can more easily to get in under the skin to do his laprascopic work). Some insurances require as much as a 6-month diet on your own before they will consider paying. I don't think that is the norm, but reading some of the entries on this site, that is the requirement of some insurance companies. Other are pretty lenient because they are paying for the meds for diabetic patients which add up quickly, and they can see the advantage of weight-loss for these patients. I don't know about Medicare, but I am sure that some of the people here have dealt with Medicare and will write you and give you the scoop. I think most insurance companies that pay at all say that you have to be 100 pounds overweight and have 2 co-morbidities (like high blood pressure or high cholesterol) or be 200 overweight with no co-morbidities.

As for being too old, I don't think age figures in too much. I would imagine the state of your health being the prime factor. Are you pretty healthy in spite of needing to loose weight?

I don't know how age affects the "snap-back" factor. I am pretty healthy, and before surgery I was going to aqua exercise classes about 4 times a week. I have to admit, though, at one week out from surgery, I am very tired. I don't know if this is normal, or not. It may be an age-factor thing, but I believe it is more because of the liquid diet that we are required to have for two weeks. Right now, with two Protein shakes a day and some broth and Jello, I am still only getting about 400 to 450 calories a day. I think that is why I am so tired. I really admire the people who have to go back to work after a week. And those who have little families at home to care for. They re SuperPeople!!

Congratulations on your new marriage. It's wondeful to have a supportive spouse. I hope you are able to find out about Medicare from some of the other subscribers, but in my mind, you are just the right age to do this now.

You are not too old. Ask yourself the question if you are too old for Tylenol. If you need it as an aid to life, use it.

Congratulations and long life.

hi iodine! my dad was 67 and is doing great! i am 46 but there are as many people in your age group in my surgeon's office as in mine when i go for appointments. i am in michigan and my dad is in ny. where are you?