6 month diet questions

Call Medicare and ask them what they require.  They may not require the 6 month weigh-in as with that amount of weight, your BMI will be high.  Do you have sleep apnea?  That will have to be checked and get a letter of the results for the surgeon.  I imagine you  most likely have a hiatal hernia as well.  Get that checked, after surgery you won't have it anymore.  They fix it while you are in surgery.  Those two items are comorbilities also due to being obese.  Things Medicare looks at.  If they don't require the 6 month diet, then all you would have to lose is what the surgeon says and that's usually 10% of your overall body weight.  But I would call Medicare in the morning and ask what their requirements are for you to have the surgery, you may not have to do the 6 month program unless the surgeon is requiring it.  Best to you. May God travel with you on this new journey to a better you. 

I am on Medicare also.  My surgery is Tuesday, 9/25.  I did the six month diet, and basically it was just me telling my doctor how I had been cutting down, less fat, walking for exercise, and he would way me, and note any other visits I had with nutritionist, psych., etc.  My surgeon sent him a form to fill out every month.  It had a place for everything including weight.  I think you should make sure your doctor keeps up with your weight loss, that's part of what it's about I think.  Medicare does not pre-approve for this surgery, but they do cover it.....once you have your six month diet in, they can do your pre-op and schedule your surgery.  Hospital is covered 100% minus deductible. I had to pay a $500 program fee, and only about $300 to my surgeon, he is billing me for that.  I thought that wasn't too bad.  Good luck with the process, I'm excited about my adventure.  I lost 31 lbs. preop, just cutting back during the 6 months.  I didn't have to have a liquid diet just liquids day before surgery.   Good Luck again, Kelly

I just wanted to update you all to let you all know something to clarify what is going on. I am doing a six month diet to record my weight loss attempt and to record my activity so that I can turn that in to medicare. The doctors office and I have talked and I will just have to make up two visits that lack any weight discrepency.  I am looking at either cenntennial or baptist and will be checking into going to meeting to get a feeling for the program each offer. I do know that cenntennials waiting list is really long...so I don't know how bad baptist's is. I am taking all the necessary steps to get my stuff in order. I appreciate all your help and concerns... :) You guys are great!!!! ps, Kathy, from what I understand at medicare if you have cancer you don't have to meet all the requirements that they stipulate.  They do say you have to have  a bmi greater than 35 have tried to loose weight using diet, exercise or medications and have proof (of which I don't have yet)  you have to have a co-morbidity of HBP, GERD, Respiratory, Sleep apnea etc (there are a few more) there were a few more conditions but I forget right now and I dont have my list in front of me.... they did say that people that have cancer would not have to meet all the requirements...... such as documentating the weight loss and such..... at least that is what I uderstood  her to say... :) have a great weekend all!!! Tina