CP-Mike

I am proud to brag on the doctor and hospital my wife choose for her band (and my upcoming band).. In the current issue of Austin Monthly Dr Clark is listed twice as a top doc. http://www.austinmonthly.com/ He has fantastic manners in dealing with us and is very seasoned with Lapbands. The staff in the surgery center at Seton on 38th street are WONDERFUL as well.

Howdy fellow Bandsters and wanna-be's (like me). I figured now would be a good time to make some friends that share some of the same challenges. Me: 39 year OLD man.. My slowly increasing weight is dragging my life down and making me feel older than my years. I am now determined to make my 40th b-day in August a good one. I can tell that I have some developing health issues that if I get serious now I can reverse, or I can ignore them and leave before my time. My wife was banded several months ago and to date has had no ill effects, although they are still toying with her fills to get her losing weight. I am hoping to make some new friends here and share some stories, good and bad. I think the thing I am most NOT looking forward to is being put under GA. I've never had surgery. Other than that I am soooo looking forward to it. I might miss bikini season for 07, but watch out 08!! :party: Mike

Well it's 2007. The year has some exciting prospects in it. The one most notable to any readers here would be a Febuary date with the LapBand doc.. Dr Clark! Very excited about that... The only bummer is that I am sick as I have been in years! This Flu thing should be against the law.. Whadda ya mean it's a virus and can't be killed easily.. shesh man, this is the 21st century, and you want me to suffer for like 5-7 days.... argh! Okay, TamiFlu and Darvocet sound nice, thank you very much... That was pretty much my day yesterday in the doc's office. Anyway, I am starting to feel human again and looking forward to future bikini seasons... NO, I'm not wearing them, but still.. Okay, some note worthy details.. Me: 39 year old fat white married man (every woman's dream huh) 6'0", about 300lbs (I am enjoying myself before I have to start on the pre-surgery diet) Goals: LOL, riiight.. So the doc's office has this chart that says a 6' tall dude should be like 167 lbs! Okay first, I'm like 6' and almost 1", but second, I'M BIG BONED! No, really... hey, stop laughing.. I am.. You should see my wrists, they are enormous, and it's not from gout! I think I would look like, well death at 167.. so to heck with the doc.. Anything under 200 is "my goal"... More importantly, I want to be able to keep up with my wife (who just got a band, and is 7 yrs younger), and my 7 yr old son. Well that's about it for now.. I need to go take some more darvocet to ward off these darn flu induced body aches! Nasty crap...

Well it's 2007. The year has some exciting prospects in it. The one most notable to any readers here would be a Febuary date with the LapBand doc.. Dr Clark! Very excited about that... The only bummer is that I am sick as I have been in years! This Flu thing should be against the law.. Whadda ya mean it's a virus and can't be killed easily.. shesh man, this is the 21st century, and you want me to suffer for like 5-7 days.... argh! Okay, TamiFlu and Darvocet sound nice, thank you very much... That was pretty much my day yesterday in the doc's office. Anyway, I am starting to feel human again and looking forward to future bikini seasons... NO, I'm not wearing them, but still.. Okay, some note worthy details.. Me: 39 year old fat white married man (every woman's dream huh) 6'0", about 300lbs (I am enjoying myself before I have to start on the pre-surgery diet) Goals: LOL, riiight.. So the doc's office has this chart that says a 6' tall dude should be like 167 lbs! Okay first, I'm like 6' and almost 1", but second, I'M BIG BONED! No, really... hey, stop laughing.. I am.. You should see my wrists, they are enormous, and it's not from gout! I think I would look like, well death at 167.. so to heck with the doc.. Anything under 200 is "my goal"... More importantly, I want to be able to keep up with my wife (who just got a band, and is 7 yrs younger), and my 7 yr old son. Well that's about it for now.. I need to go take some more darvocet to ward off these darn flu induced body aches! Nasty crap...

?! Why? Even in Mexico it costs thousands of dollars... Some insurance companies will do what is called a pre-authorization letter. Perhaps you can ask for that, or like the other poster said, just find out who the Sr HR person is.. just be polite but firm. Their ignorance should not cost you $1,000s. Part of your total compensation from your work is health care, it is your right to know what is/is not covered. Or find a Bariatric specialist group you want to work with and speak with their insurance experts. They have them and they want to help you. Fight the good fight with your head held high! These are the first steps of the journey of your new healthier life. Good luck! Mike

My wife had her surgery on a Thursday, went home that evening, was back in the office by the next Tuesday. She likely would have gone back on Monday, but there wasn't a need.. BUT, different people tolerate these things differently. When I get mine done this Feb I am setting the expectation with my boss that I am having it done on Thursday, and that Mon/Tue/Wed of the following week will be "work from home" days.

Thanks for sharing that with me. I didn't want to be too forward, but I have known some very wonderful people, but for some reason they didn't see it. They could never say it, but I could tell that in their heart they did not feel they deserved to be happy. (hint: we ALL do) Warm wishes for a happy new year! Mike

Hey Patsy.. Best of luck to you! I chose Dr Clark based on what my wife said. She met him and loved him.. I went to the seminar at St D's and loved him too. I am using Seton on 38th myself. The staff there were WONDERFUL when Amy went in, so I am following her path. I look forward to hearing how things work out for you. Mike technically I live in Cedar Park, but who knows where that is

Hey Sophie.. Of course I am not a doc or anything, but what is wrong with working on all issues at once? It is a good thing that you recognize some of your destructive behaviors. Dig deep and figure out why you have them. Sometimes people do those things so they have a reason to be unhappy. Perhaps if you get a band and start having some success with that as a "tool", you can get back on track with exercise and other healthy changes. Based on your words, you do have some artificial barriers you put in your path, but you can make a choice to over come them. Life is a journey and the view out the window is what you make of it.... but first you have to have the courage to get in the car.. relax and enjoy the ride.. Mike