Hi Everyone!

Hi! My name is Doris and I am a newbie, I did post on the main messageboard but since I am from Ky go BIG BLUE! I wanted to introduce myself to my fellow Kentuckians. I am 41 years old and have many health problems including a total hip replacement on my right hip. I have blue cross and blue shield of Alabama and Medicare. I know BCBS will cover my surgery but I am afraid they will require 6 months diet by a medical dr. I have been going to a weight loss clinic for 2 years now and picked up my records and there is no way insurance will accept them, they are awful just basic numbers, nothing about conversations or anything really important to the insurance company. I wonder if I can just go with Medicare to bypass the 6 month diet requirement? Any suggestions? I will be going to go to my PCP friday and have my sugar levels checked, I have been on a diabetic diet for 2 months now but I only have to check in every 3 months. SO what should I do? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I am 5'7 and weigh 263 pounds. I am pre diabetic, of course the total hip replacement, pins and arthritis in my left hip, need 2 knee replacements but ortho won't operated till I lose weight, herniated discs in back along with arthritis, underactive thyroid, treated depression, high blood pressure and now my hands and feet go numb when I sleep, also my husband says I snore like a freight train!! Well, Just wanted to say Hi and give some background. I also go for the seminar June 12. Thanks for listening and hope to get to know all of you, you seem like a great bunch of friends!!

Hello Doris and welcome!!! I am new here too and have the same questions as you do. One thing that popped into my head, (because I've been contemplating it myself) is if you could take your records of weightloss to your PCP and see if he would sign off on that as following your diet plan. Per instruction of my gynecologist, I've been dieting on the slim-fast program since March. I haven't seen her since then, but will be telling my PCP on June 13th, when I see him, that I've been doing the slim fast and if there is anyway we could have it documented in my file from March on. I am lucky though, because I have been keeping a journal of my food intake and I am going to be making a copy of it to show him. You're lucky too, because you have your records from an actual weight loss center and while they may still be numbers, your Dr. could write something up that he's been following or even recommended this diet. I hope that helps a little; I'm hoping it will help me. We have the same co-morbidities. I am going to see an ortho on the 7th, hoping beyond hopes he can help me with some pain I am having. Where are you looking to have your surgery? Take care, Dee

Thanks DeAnne! I will take you up on your suggestion, I honestly hadn't thought of that. Thanks for taking the time to answer. I am hoping to have surgery at St. Joseph's. Dr. Allen is my ortho and I just LOVE him!! He is awesome!

Hey Doris, I just realized that we have the same seminar dates!! I was going to my email account, to send you an email, and realized that you had already sent me one. I replied back to you and I hope that we have a chance to meet up. Take care and hopefully we can get these insurances to work with us and not against us. Talk to you soon-- Dee

Hi Doris. I wish you luck on your decision. It truly is a difficult decision to make. I've heard many good things about St. Joe's. That's why I chose that hospital. I hope they don't disappoint. I just e-mailed you a few minutes ago about the e-mail you sent me. Thanks again. Gale

Hey Doris, I wish I knew the answer for you to your question. If you are on a diet from your PCP then that should work. If you started last month and go back this month I would just tell your PCP that you will be in every month. My understanding is that your records must say that you are there to discuss your weight, attempt to loose wieght, and progress on the diest. So the diabetic diet surly does that. This way even if you can't get around BCBS, you will be that much closer on the 6mo thing. I do know that medicare pays for wls, but not sure of all the details. Good luck to you on your journey. --Angela

Thanks Angela! I will be sure to tell my PCP what my weight loss notes need to have. Thanks for filling me in!! You guys are an Awesome bunch!