Medicare Now Covers Weight Loss Surgeries!
How a Dream Became a Reality for This Obese Senior
I was morbidly obese at age 63, when I read an important article by Rob Stein of the Washington Post in my local newspaper. Medicare had just endorsed certain Bariatric surgeries On February 21, 2006. Since private health plans follow Medicare's endorsements, I was encouraged to think that, perhaps, my insurance would one day cover such a surgery.
I kept this article tucked away in my wallet until I was within nine months of my 65th birthday. I began making calls to my insurance provider, and completed hours of online research concerning Bariatric surgery, and the three types of weight loss surgeries endorsed by Medicare: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic gastric banding and biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch.
What I learned helped me to pursue the hope of finding a surgically permanent answer for a safe and effective method to rid myself of the unhealthy 90 pounds I carried around! I had developed several medical conditions that might qualify me for the surgery, so the sky was the limit! Nothing was going to deter me from trying.
Over the past several years, I had amassed quite a good collection of medical reports from doctors and specialists, MRI's, and supporting documentation to make my case when needed. August 1, 2008 was my official first day on Medicare.
During the research phase, I was particularly interested in the REALIZE™ Adjustable Gastric Band (by Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc). I completed and mailed in Benefit Verification and Authorization to Share Health Information forms, and signed up online to attend an information seminar on September 16, 2008.
Within a month, I visited my new primary care physician, began initial routine tests and exams, and mentioned to her that I was extremely interested in having laparoscopic gastric banding surgery, hoping that we could work together to submit a request through my insurance. She was supportive. I provided her with my previous medical reports, and supplied her with information on every diet I had ever embarked upon. She was instrumental in preparing an effective letter to my health care provider, requesting approval, and referred me to one of the Bariatric surgeons within my health network.
Following various required tests and clearances which took me through December 2008, I called my insurance provider one day in early January 2009, and learned that I had been approved for weight loss surgery back on December 29, 2008.
The rest is history. I had the REALIZE™ Adjustable Gastric Band surgery on February 13, 2009 at the Banner Good Samaritan Bariatric Center, and went home the same day. There were no complications, and I was up and walking within a couple of days. I've since lost 20 pounds on my travel toward improved health.
My dream became a reality!
Twenty pounds lighter! The journey continues.
With more than 400-million people worldwide who are obese, weight loss surgery is the most effective method to shed the extra weight and keep it off.
Many seniors resign themselves to think they will stay overweight. But, with medical advances in laparoscopic gastric banding, it doesn't have to be. Popularly known as the Realize Band and the Lap-Band, they can now improve health and quality of life.
With more than 400-million people worldwide who are obese, weight loss surgery is the most effective method to shed the extra weight and keep it off.
Many seniors resign themselves to think they will stay overweight. But, with medical advances in laparoscopic gastric banding, it doesn't have to be. Popularly known as the Realize Band and the Lap-Band, they can now improve health and quality of life.
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