WAITING , MO MEDICARE AND MEDICAID

I talked to the nurse that gets you aproved and stuff and she seeems to think i will be aproved but i have to wait till St Johns Bariatric Center in Springfield Mo gets aproved for star of exolantancy. so i have to call back in 2 months, so this is going on the third year of trying to get the surgery but its close , i got scared last year and could got it done , but now i have no choice,because of healt issues. so medicare and medicaid of Missouri will pay and you do not have to have the 12 months diets im a 30 year old male . i weigh 489 lost 6 lbs last 2 weeks wooo hoo lol but i have many health problems from being over weight , i like many others just want my life back and i pray for you all that you can get this done and we all can have a good healthy life God bless you all

I am glad you will get to have your surgery soon. Losing the weight will make you much healthier. Soon you will be a big loser.

Benny... Welcome to the Missouri board!.... I know how hard it is to wait... you want to get the ball rolling NOW and not have to wait even another day. I guess you could look at it from another angle though... it gives you a bit more time to get things "lined out" in preparation for surgery. Start changing your eating habits NOW... start to relearn the hold that food has over you. If you are able (check with your dr. first) start to embark on some type of exercise routine. Even if it just involves strolling around your neighborhood at a leisurely walk.... or lifting light weights as you watch tv while sitting on the sofa. Just something to wake that bod up and let it know that things are a changin'!..... Feel free to come in here and post away... there are alot of good folks in here that are willing to help you out the best they can! Best wishes... Elizabeth~

Benny, welcome to the board. There are a lot of people waiting for the hospitals to get thier center for excellance certificates. Keep doing what you are doing, every pound you lose makes the surgery that much easier on yourself and for the Dr who preforms it.. Post here anytime you need advice or help or just have something you want to say. We have a very supportive board. Good luck in you journey. Wayne

Hi Benny, Congratulations on being one step closer to having your surgery. Stay active on our Missouri Board. You will find many caring friends on this Board. Also, please come to the New Beginnings Support Group of St. John's Weight Loss Surgery Program. We meet next Monday, April 10th at 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. We meet at the St. John's Surgery Center, Classroom 4B, 1229 E. Seminole, Springfield, Missouri. We meet the second Monday of every month. You will get to meet pre-ops, post-ops and many of the friends you find on this Board (some of our regulars and OH MO Board posters are Wayne, Melissa, Kelli, Anita, Jean, Stephanie, Tami, David.....) come to our support group meeting. It is a wonderful meeting that I know you will find informative and fun. I'm the support group leader of New Beginnings and our other support group for 1+ year post-ops, The Next Level. If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me. Again, congratulations for being one step closer!! Cathy ObesityHelp Support Group Specialist

thanks for a nice welcome from you all, its getting ready to storm here so im getting off the computer,, i wont beable to make it to this comeing up meeting at st johns but i saved the address , i will come some time thanks again to you all

Hey Benny Welcome to the Missouri Board!!! Hope to meet you at a meeting in Springfield very soon. -Kelli

Benny........ I had my surgery done at Barnes-Jewish Hosp./WA University of Medicine in St Louis, I drive many miles to get there it was worth it to get it done there. There were no problems getting Medicare to cover my surgery. Excelent surgeon there name Chris Eagon and his staff, they saved my life!!!!!