i feel like i am chasing my tail here...

i had a silastic ring vertical banded back in 97... i swear i felt the staples give a long time ago... then i ran into all kinds of other medical problems... oh.. i lost from about 400 to 287 initially.. climbed back up and yo yo'd around to 345.. have fought back down to 300... i am in a wheelchair a lot now because my knees are so shot.. they wont do knee replacements because i am too young(55 is young?) and too heavy... i know all the stuff about exercise... just can not get the motivation to struggle through the pain consistently... and we all know diet alone is not sufficient... here's the deal: i am a medicare a and b client.. apparently, there is no established clear guidelines for approval for revisions... and how many doctors are willing to take a chance that medicare might pay after the surgery is done? i do not have a car to go tooling around the state to consult with these doctors.. one office sent me this email with all these protocols and prerequisites... ACCCK!! 3 times of dieting at 6 months each with documented dietician visits and dr. supervision, etc. etc..oh, and behavioral therapy whatever that means.... .. i do not have that.... depression is one of main problems... i feel so daunted by all this... crying spells, withdrawal, hopelessnes... .. does ANYONE have any clues or advice?

I had revision surgery with Dr Nease in Huntington, WV at Cabell Huntington Hospital. I don't know anything about Medicare coverage though. I thought there was a very recent ruling approving WLS for Medicare patients. Dr Nease and hospital staff were great. I traveled from NM to have them do my surgery. Best Wishes. Valerie

Hi sharon I had Gastroplasty (stomach stapeling) in 1979 and lost all the weight I wanted to --down to 170 and I am 5"10" oh well that lasted about 4 years and the weight started to come back. Very long story --many years late and I am 400lb. I lost down to 250lb. and blew out a knee and could not excersise as much and before I know it I am bact to 350. Well i say a surgeon and and am having revision to Rny on March 13. My surgeon has spent much time with me and I feel totally ready for this. My fear is failure again but this is so different form the firsttime. We have classes to atted to learn how to eat and care for our pouch. I am 57 yr old and am looking at both knee replacement. On the boards a few days ago it was everwhere that Medicare had chnced their policy on WLS and were approving all types as long as it was done at a quality recogninzed facility. I am not sure what that is exactly but post on the mail board and you will get a lot of info. My doctor has done more thean 25 successful revisions and doesn't require 6 months dieting. They recommend you lose some weight but really just don't want you to gain before surgery. Good luck--I know what you are feeling! betty