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Post by abright0 on Dec 28, 2011 6:15:01 GMT -5
Brief history: at age 52 my sister had Open RNY. It took her several years to find a surgeon to cut on her, because she is only 4'10", and does not have enough height for laparoscopic (or so they have told her). At the time of her surgery she was 400lbs. She initially lost 200lbs, but has since regained over 100lbs back. Additionally she has a hernia that runs from her belly button to her breast bone that needs repair.
Her concerns are that medicare will not cover a revision, and that she won't be able to find a surgeon to do it. She also thinks she is too old at age 57.
Any advice for her?
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Post by Seeking Healthy on Dec 28, 2011 7:10:56 GMT -5
I would direct her to this board and have her start asking the questions that most concern her. Has she did any reading on dsfacts.com?
I have seen other posters on the OtHer board that have had medicare and gotten approval. It may have taken longer but not undoable.
Also, since she is a RNY to DS revision it is imperative that she have a very skilled revision surgeon. A DS revision surgeon is not necessarily the same as a vetted virgin DS surgeon. This revision is one of the most complicated. There are only a handful of experienced revision surgeons in the US. She may have to travel.
IMO you are never to old to want to be healthy and happy.
SH
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Post by teachmid on Dec 28, 2011 8:05:13 GMT -5
I was 62 when I had my revision. I'm pretty sure medicare covers a revision and I also think Dr. Keshishian takes medicare.
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Post by vanishingmom on Dec 28, 2011 8:09:51 GMT -5
Dr. Greenbaum takes Medicare. Not sure if NJ is too far for her or not. Without knowing her whole story I think a revision sounds like a smart idea. Ultimately it's her decision to make. Steering her to this site is the first step in helping her make a healthy, informed, smart decision. You're a good sister  |
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Post by Joanne on Dec 28, 2011 12:19:03 GMT -5
Where is your sister located? There are only a handful of surgeons qualified to do them, so she will most likely need to travel.
I dont think she's too old at all, she's lucky to have you looking out for her.
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Post by actiongirl on Dec 28, 2011 13:18:53 GMT -5
You're a good sister So sweet - exalted! |
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Post by abright0 on Dec 28, 2011 21:23:10 GMT -5
We are in North Carolina. Money is an issue for her, so far travel is probably not possible.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2011 21:40:17 GMT -5
Keshishian is the only one who takes Medicare who I would go to. Period.
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Post by Sandra C. on Jan 1, 2012 1:10:28 GMT -5
I just had my D.S. at age 57, no problems!!
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Post by abright0 on Jan 1, 2012 5:27:25 GMT -5
Thank you all so much for your input. I will pass along all the info to her. I really hope she decides to get the revision. All of her co-morbidities have returned with the weight regain.
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Post by justelizabeth on Jan 1, 2012 12:04:17 GMT -5
My mother had her virgin DS at 65. I really don't thing her age should be a concern for her.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2012 12:14:40 GMT -5
Medicare does cover revisions deemed medically necessary, doesn't have to be for obesity. Dr. Greenbaum takes Medicare but has become very fond, for reasons he has not (yet but I hope one day he will) explained to me of doing an ERNY revision, changing intestines but not altering stomach pouch.
I forget whether Dr. Stewart takes Medicare. He's new to this revision but has rave reviews. Ditto Dr. Kemmeter.
But frankly, if I were in her shoes, I'd go straight to Dr. Keshishian. He seems to love the challenge of the revision, and his stats are fantastic.
I would think that overall health status is a much bigger deal than age. We all know very old 55 year olds and very young 70 year olds, after all.
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Post by larra on Jan 1, 2012 12:37:58 GMT -5
I don't see her age as an issue at all, but she needs to do 2 things:
1. accept that travel is in her future - any revision she could get locally would be either distal RNY (which won't help her at all) or ERNY, which may promote some weight loss but will not resolve any issues with her pouch and which can potentially cause severe problems with vitamin and/or protein deficiency.
2. she is fortunate to have a wonderful sister who is trying to help her, but needs to do her own research and learning. Send her here. Send her to dsfacts.com. And if she isn't sufficiently concerned about her own health and quality of life to do the research, she'll either get a crappy, ineffective revision or she'll stay where she is.
I don't mean to be mean at all, it's just that your concern is not a sutstitute for her own concern.
Larra
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Post by fullhousemom on Jan 1, 2012 14:53:41 GMT -5
My dad had his virgin DS at 62 years old. He is now 67 and is convinced he would probably be dead by now without his surgery. He had lots of problems. Instead, he is golfing, hunting, working, playing, busy, busy, busy, having fun. He throws a baseballl with his grandchildren and also plays basketballl with them. He hadn't touched a ball in over 30 years. You are NEVER to old to take care of your health!
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