Welcome to the group. I just started today too. Hi, I had to laugh that you are 69 and will be 70 in April. I am 69 for less than a month to go. I turn 70 on October 16. I had gotten a magazine from a local hospital, that I've never gone to. I read with great interest about a husband/wife that had the gastric sleeve surgery close to each other. They started walking together, and planned their meals, etc. etc. I reread that article a couple of times and said that I was very interested. As I flipped through the magazine, there was a page with coming events, including a weight loss seminar the next week. I went and liked what I heard. The surgeon who is in charge of the bariatric program at the hospital gave the talk and afterwards answered questions. The nurse said if we wanted to make an appt with the Dr. would do it. My husband came with me. I know myself and said that if I didn't do it right then, I'd take my time calling them. I went there and again liked the Dr and staff. Mostly, I enjoyed talking to a couple of ladies in the waiting room who gladly answered my questions. One of them told me about the different Dr visits that the different insurances required. I give you so much credit starting to lose weight now. I am going to start myself. My Dr. has a person in his office that just handles insurance claims. I have another post under sooner or later that has what happened to me at my first nutritianist's meeting. Take care and good luck. Please keep in touch, as it's nice to "see" another Medicare person currently posting. I have read a lot of posts , not just this topic and there is a wealth of info here.