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Weight Loss

Diabetic Connect Member trashman

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lap band surgury

by trashman
July 16, 2009 7:44 PM
9 Replies
167 Views

what do you think about having procedure done to lose weight. I take over 27 pills a day and some of the drugs side effects is weight gain. The only insurance I have is medicare I make to much money for medicade this is not right because if you have type 1 diabetis or have medicade they will cover insulin pumps.

Tags: lap band surgury, insulin pumps coverage, weight loss surgery

From Replies
Diabetic Connect Member cyncyn
cyncyn
cyncyn replied July 16, 2009 8:00 PM 

I think, the way, they look at it, is:... The insulin pump is necessary, and weight loss surgery, isn't. Unless, your dr. has reported it as life saving. Hope this helps you.

HUGS
Cyndi

Diabetic Connect Member roger
roger
roger replied July 16, 2009 10:38 PM 

ins is fun isit not? have herd that some even pay for pump but not supplys for the pump ? if some one aan make sence of that they are doing better than most and should run for pres.

cyncyn replied July 16, 2009 11:40 PM 

You said it!!!

Diabetic Connect Member Avera
Avera
Avera replied July 17, 2009 4:11 AM 

Medicaid does not cover obesity, and under Medicare, hospital and physician services for obesity are clearly excluded.

There are always places online that will talk about lapband surgery. The surgery is the easy part - it's living with the band and being successful that is challenging. Not everyone 'succeeds' if success is judged by weight loss. Go to other chat groups and sites where you will see and hear from folks who may be struggling after the surgery. It is not all perfect and easy. Make sure if you have the surgery out of the country that you have the financial resources for a lot of aftercare and preferably a local doc that will do follow up for you. Yes, like most/many you may not have any problems and drop the weight easily but if you are one of the few unfortunate folks who struggle you will need money and resources to get the help you need. If you have the finances to go back and forth to your doc regularly you will have more of a chance to succeed if you are having problems. Lapbandtalk.com and yahoo chat groups (search under lapband) will provide a wider range of experiences for you to read about. Good luck.

cyncyn replied July 17, 2009 2:35 PM 

This is very good advise, Avera. Before doing something very drastic, ...do your homework.. Reseach every thing, and anything, first!!!

Check out the web sites, mentioned. Avera always has helpful advise! Good luck in your decision.

HUGS
Cyndi

Amy_Daniels replied October 30, 2009 10:26 PM 

Thank you Avera. I have been considering this surgery & have checked several websites of places to have the surgery, but hadn't found any places where the patients had discussions. I will check these out.
Diabetic Connect Member Me2
Me2
Me2 replied August 14, 2009 11:35 PM 

Last edited 22 days ago

I have had a very successful lap-band surgery and have lost over 70 pounds. It has been a Godsend for my diabetes and high blood pressure and my doctor assures me that I will be able to go off meds for both in a short time. I would urge you to have the surgery if you can. I ended up having to pay for it myself as my insurance company told me I did not maintain a BMI of 40 or over for 5 consecutive years. Bummer, but I had the money so I paid for it. Expensive but worth it.

joann4999 replied October 26, 2009 9:33 AM 

i would love to have this surgery but my insurance will not pay for it.

Deb-G replied about 21 hours ago 

Be very careful...surgery is serious...all kinds...and side effect 3+ years out are common...Lap Band is the newest craze because of the mortality rate of the bypass surgeries...they are not easy, not cheap, and never without side effects life long...some are lucky to have minimal, some have extensive...It should be a last resort...Its a serious individual decision and definitely not an "easy fix"...research all kinds, all options, all side effects...and good luck with whatever you chose so that you are healthy :)