Completely discouraged

I just talked to the receptionist for the internist who is supposed to write to canadian medicare on my behalf. She asked me if I had taken any weight loss drugs and I said no. Her response was "Medicare is very strict." Then she asked if I had done weigh****chers or anything and still had the books to prove I'd gone. I said no. Again she says "Medicare is very strict." like I didn't hear her the first time. Then she asks if I had tried dieting on my own even though that wasn't enough. I told her I had and then I started seeing my dietician who had been tracking me for 7 months only for her to say again "Medicare is very strict." and that they want patients to do those things first. I can't afford weigh****chers, I don't want to be put on drugs, this is ridiculous! I basically feel like she's telling me there's no way in hell I'm going to be approved and I haven't even SEEN the internist yet. Now I get to go to bed and not sleep because I feel completely defeated.

Hi, What internist are you trying to get in to seeing? I think that makes all the difference. Actually if you were seeing a nutrionist for 7 months that should be long enough as Dr B only needs to have tou on his diet for 6 months before he writes the letters for medicare. Medicare is very strict of course, but I think it is all in the Dr you are going to see, and how they feel about surgery.

Hi Jay - Your only "completely defeated" when your dead. I'm taking a wild guess here and betting your still alive since you typed your message. Sounds like your a wee bit sorry for yourself right now - been there, done that and got over it. Medicare also takes in to fact joint pain, breathing problems etc. Go to your family Dr. and get him to refer you to someone else. Also the diatician you've been going to counts as a dieting program. Darn that secretary/nurse or whatever she is for responding to you like she did. Obesity is a medical condition that needs to be addressed just as high blood pressure, heart trouble etc. etc. DO NOT let her defeat you. You've come a long way my friend. Call your diatician and ask her to assist you. Hugs - carolyn PS Just think how big your apartment will feel once you have your surgery! LOL

I feel a little bit better. I called Rinette, my dietician and told her what the receptionist said. She told me that of course she couldn't guarantee approval, but if they decline me, I'd be the first of her clients that had been declined and unless medicare had recently changed their criteria and she didn't know about it, I shouldn't worry. That made me feel a bit better but I'm still gonna worry until I hear the word approved.

I'm going to be seeing Dr. Mallet. Dr. B already wrote his letter I think, that's why I have to see Mallet.

Good for you Jay!! The road is long, but you'll get there. Enjoy the zoo! Hugs - Carolyn

Hi Jay, Everytime I used to leave the Georges Dumont from seeing Dr. B before I had my surgery - I was in tears. I felt like it was never going to get here and I was not losing any weight but I kept hanging on........that was 39 lbs ago and I've hit a plateau - the scale is not moving!!! This is a never ending journey - even once you get the surgery it's not over. Try to look at it as a never ending quest to be the healthy, slim guy that's inside of you waiting to get out. Even once he's out - you'll have to battle the old urges/habits. They creep up worse than thong undies that are too damn tight ;0) Hang in there buddy - you have what it takes - we all do.........

HI,
How are these guys doing?  I never see them posting any more.   I know that in the years following surgery people come to the forums less and less.  Just wondering if anyone has any news on these folks progress? 

Thx,
Catherine