Medicare coverage for VSG to DS revision?
I had VSG in April 2010. I lost almost 80 lbs (I was 15 lbs from goal) in the first 16 months before complications from a terrible car accident and subsequent medication caused me to regain almost all of the post-surgery weight lost (I am still down more than a hundred pounds from my highest many years ago). With the weight gain my diabetes has returned and I am NOT willing to go back to the days of taking more than 300 units of insulin a day!
For the last 2 months I have been working out 2 hours a day, six days a week and living on 900-950 high protein, low carb calories in hopes of kick starting my weight loss again. Net loss: 3 pounds and (more) constant pain from my muscles pulling away from my rib cage.
I now know I have done all I can, and made peace with the responsibilities and possible complications of having a DS. It is my intention to have a DS as soon as possible.
I will be eligible for Medicare in October.
I want to do whatever I can to prepare myself to move things along quickly when that time comes. At this point, I’ve prepared questions for perspective surgeons as I read through the 800 plus pages here, obtained my surgery records from Kaiser and compiling a list of possible surgeons.
What other leg work can I do now to minimize delays when the coverage kicks in? Is there set criteria for having Medicare cover a VSG to DS “revision”? Do I need a surgeon in my area (N California)?
Any information (recommendations of surgeons who take Medicare, issues to address prior, criteria and ways to meet them, etc, etc) would be much appreciated. I don’t really understand how Medicare works so not sure what other questions to ask.
FYI: My BMI is currently about 38-39 with multiple co-morbidities.
Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge, insights and experience. I really appreciate the expertise and dedication of the people here.
Tricia
