Revision w/ Medicaid?

I have been trying to look into a revision for awhile now at my endocrinologists request.  I had my surgery at Bassett (Cooperstown, NY) in Dec. of 2006 for the Lap Band.  About a week later my port had to be removed due to a massive infection.  I wasn't able to get the port put back in until June 2007 and by then had gained all but 10 pounds that I had lost in order to get the surgery.  I then had to get a hysterectomy in August 2007.  So I had a lot of set backs the first 9-10 months of my journey. 

In January of 2009 I asked about a revision to RNY and Bassett refuses to preform them unless it is medically needed. 

I do have Medicaid as I am disabled with a rod in my left femur - arthritis in my left knee.

Any suggestions?  I live in Sidney, NY so Albany wouldn't be bad but I would love to hear from others who have Medicaid and sought a revision. 


I didn't see a search feature for the NY forums, if there is one can someone point it out to me.  Thanks!

Is there only one surgeon at that hospital? or does the entire hospital refuse to do it?  If so, you are better off going to Albany anyway.  It is a big city with better hospitals. You will find a surgeon that is more experienced than in a small town.  Revisions are complicated and you need someone very trained and experienced.  Do you research and dont' just pick anyone.  You had trouble once, you dont' want trouble again.

It's the entire hospital.  Thanks, I will look into ones that are experiences with revisions. =)

I know that the doctors at Albany Medical Center do revisions. One of the ladies in my support group had to go from band to bypass due to port issues. I don't know how Medicaid works but I am under the impression that if you qualified for WLS in the first place and your band fails you for whatever reason you are still qualified for bypass. It does take two surgeries to do it. First to take the band out and then at least six weeks later they do the bypass. 

If you are permanently disabled and are on Social Security you probably should be getting medicare benefits. Medicare does cover WLS but it can only be done at a Center of Excellence, which Albany Med is. Ellis and St Peter's are not COEs. The number for the Bariatric Group at Albany Medical is 262-0942.
 
We also have a weekly support group that meets Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 at 25 Hackett Blvd. at the Albany Med South Campus.

Good luck. If there is any thing specific that I could be of help with let me know. I don't work for them - only had my surgery there but I am more than willing to help out.


edited for clarity

I called Albany and have started the process with them.  They first want my records sent to them and then I go from there. 

If I wasn't self-employed (work on the computer from home) I would be getting a check for SSI but I don't because of our income but they have kept my medicaid in place since I require visits for my leg/knee.    They have never suggested medicare to me but being I have enough work credits now I should look into it.  Thanks for the idea.

Thank you very much for the info on the removal of the band as I had no idea that it required a 6 week wait. 

What are the requirements once accepted into the program?  At Bassett we had to attend at least 3 support groups along with a 1 time orientation session.  Then there were the normal requirements of a certain of amount of weight to shed, nutritionist, certain testing etc. 

Kathy

In order to get Medicare, you must be on Social Security disability for 2 years and then you get it automatically.  Are you on anytype of disability program?