Hi Sheri Congrats to you on your surgery. Sounds like you are doing well. I am just doing some research on the rny and looking for a surgeon is SD. I was wondering why you hade open RNY? Does Dr. Harris perform it laproscopically? Thanks for any info. Blueeyes

I'm in South Dakota and have Medicare (Although this applies nationwide). Medicare will pay for WLS. They have 3 requirements: BMI greater than or equal to 35, Failure of medical obesity management over the past 5 years (Documentation of a medically supervised program required), and the presence of a co-morbidity. You do not need an additional medicare plan to cover the surgery. It's paid for by traditional medicare. Medicare DOES NOT pre-approve (or deny) WLS's. Therefore, the decision is made by the surgeon's office as to whether you are qualified. I am currently in the process of documenting my medically supervised weight loss. DO NOT LOSE HOPE if you don't have this. I am working on what will probably only be 1-2 months of documented diet efforts. Because medicare does not specifically require a lengthy diet program (as most private payers do up to 6-12 months), the surgeon's office can make a decision based on the totality of your health information (obesity, co-morbids, and failed diet) and approve you pretty rapidly with the confidence that they are going to get paid by medicare. Sioux Falls has two centers of excellence: Sioux Valley, and Dakota Surgical Ltd. at Avera McKennon. My surgeon (and the people who have helped me understand how to qualify) are the folks at Dakota Surgical Ltd. Dr Harris and his staff are incredible!!! I hope this gives you hope. Yes, medicare does pay! And its hurdles are lower than most private insurers! I can not more strongly recommend Dr. Harris @ Dakota Surgical Ltd. The man has been doing the surgery for decades, has a 0% mortality rate (WOW!), and his staff is amazing. (Am I repeating myself?) Including my 1-2 months of diet for medicare's satisfaction, my whole process from referral to surgery day looks like it's going to be 3 months. That is incredible! Go with Dr. Harris! Go with Dr. Harris! Go with Dr. Harris! -- Jonathan

just got the new josh is giving 12 to 24 hour to live family asking to night for prayer for god will to be done in his lifeIla

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Josh....I will continue to look for the updates and continue to keep you all in my prayers. Love from SD.

Hey Gang, I brainstormed the idea of "Accountability Wednesdays". What I would like to see from these calls is for us to commit to goals for 2 weeks. I've chosen the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month for us to check in with each other and see how everyone is doing. If your interested in this "FREE" Dynamic Call, please let me know and I'll get the information to you. Our first call will be Wednesday January 17th from 1:00pm to 2:00pm CST. Don't worry you don't have to be on the call the whole time. Just call in say what your goals are for the next 2 weeks then f/u in two weeks and let us know how you did. ((HUGS)) ~Cher~