Annie

:help: Anyone out there have experiences with any facilities/doctors in the St Louis area? Also, wanting to hear about experiences with United Health Care. Thanks!

Each time I called, I got a different answer. Eventually though, I was approved and had the surgery in June. I have UHC Choice. Each employers plan is written differently...but if you meet the National Institute of Healths guidelines, you should qualify. My BMI wasn't over 40, never has been, It has been over 35 though, and if it's over 35 and have a comorbidity you should qualify. I did sumbit my last 5 yrs worth of weights that was charted each time I'd go to the dr for a visit. Hope this helps. I know UHC can be frustrating, but have the surgeons office submitt the info to care coordination, and see how it goes.

There was an earlier question about having a sore throat...I too have had a sore throat this past week, and it isn't the normal sore throat feeling...it's more an irritation. It doesn't get any worse, or any better. Can someone explain what that may have to do with the earlier question in regard to dilation. Thanks!

Kathy, Yes, I called the number on the back, then asked for care coordination....

I have UHC, and was approved and banded earlier this month. I too was worried about what extra's they would need to approve. My BMI was 37 and I have high blood pressure, and a family hx of diabetes and heart disease. I got a copy of my weight history from my regular doctor, from all my previous visits for things....(they always weigh you, and take your bp when you go in) Anyway, by weight fluctuated from 200-235 throughout my history. (which was since 1998) My surgeons office submitted the paper work on a Tuesday, and told me it would probably be a few weeks till we heard anything, so I called UHC that Friday to see if they had recieved everything they needed and to check the status. They told me then I was approved, and had sent my approval letter that day. It was quick all in all. I didn't think it would be that easy, I was expecting a denial. Hope this helps anyone in waiting. Good luck to you all.

Good morning everyone! I too can't believe June is almost over. It's gone by so fast....It seems like just a few days ago I was sitting here reading everyones posts and wondering if I would ever get insurance approval, and a surgery date. Now it's come and gone. Hard to believe. Well I'm 10 days post op, and am feeling pretty much back to normal, can sleep on my tummy, no more bloated feeling, only have a little soreness around my larger incision. Steri strips are still stuck like glue, so I have no idea what the scars are going to look like. I also started to feel hungry the day before yesterday, and I'm not feeling as full as quickly as I was the first few days. I'm a little concerned, as I feel I can eat almost anything, and don't have any issues with it....just a little sensation as it's going down. I still need to work on the eating slower....that's tough for me. I worry that I'm stretching something, and I hope that's not the case, and I will feel better about it once I get my first fill. My Dr. said not to make an appointment with him until 6 or 7 weeks, but I think I'm going to call them today. I don't think I can wait that long, and I feel that's a bit long for a post op check. Okie dokie, I'm done writing my novel this morning. Thanks for listening. Anyone have any of the same experiences I'd like to hear from you. Have a great day!

Thanks Faith, and Stefanie for the advice about the ticker, I got it to work finally!! WHooHoo! Happy Monday Everybody! Anne

Okay, so I'm ticker challenged. LOL! I created one, and tried to copy it and paste it where it says to upload, and it tells me invalid file. I can't figure it out! What am I doing wrong. urrghh! :help:

He only told me to each mushies for a couple of weeks. No liquids. I was surprised at that! And a little grateful! As far as the blood thinner shot, I got that preop..in the belly. Wasn't too bad. And bloating went away about 2 days ago...so 4 days post op. Of course when i eat i feel a little bloated, but the constant feeling was gone Friday.

Hello Everyone. It's official, I was banded on Monday the 18th, and I feel great! I think today is the first day that my tummy area has actually felt normal though. Not alot of pain any longer, and I can tell I am getting a full feeling when I eat....no longer just a big stuck bubble feeling in the middle! I was initially worried about that, but now I think it's all starting to heal, and I'm starting to learn a little about what I'm feeling and when/why I feel it. Strange. But I am definately liking keeping the eating under control. I still want to eat alot, as it tastes so good, but I stop! I've actually had to catch myself, when I've had to order out or in preparing something for myself, not to over do it, and to think small! So far so good! Best wishes to everyone here! We'll keep learning together! Oh, how do I get one of those ticker things?? Anne

Thanks ja9va, Holli, Insub...I told work I could be out the whole week, but if I can come back early I will. We'll just see how it goes. I need to get one of those ticker things. Whoohooo! It's really happening... I can't wait!

Thanks for the welcome everyone! Stef, my neice spells her name with an "f" too. I have a question for everyone...I'm having my surgery on Monday, do you think I will be able to go back to work by Thursday? I sit at a desk mostly...not too much moving around is involved. Suggestions?

Hi everyone! I've posted a few times on the other forums, insurance , doctor's and such, but now it's official, and I have a June date...I'm a June Bandster! I can't beleive it seems like it's all happening so fast now. It took forever for pre op appointments, and insurance submission but since then it's going by quickly. BCrazy, mine date is the 18th too! Good luck to you...and everyone else! Thanks everyone for all your words of advice.

Anyone banded have any statistics, or experience with knowing whether or not where the surgeon places the port has anything to do with the port twisting? I'm curious to know if there is any benifit to having it placed in one place or the other? (near stomach, or lower and to the side?) Thanks for any advice.

I have a port question....do any of you find that there is a difference as to whether the port is placed nearly parallel with the stomach, or off to the side and lower? I wonder if there are more problems if it's placed in one place more so than the other??

Wash U's program is just starting a group for bandsters, most of them are bypass patients. I spoke with the surgeon (Dr Eagon) that is doing my surgery (insurance approving), and he said there are about 12-15 people that are starting to get the group together. I don't have the specifics on date and times yet, but I will let you know. Perhaps, if we can get enough interest, we all could meet out somewhere, and talk about our experiences.

Hi MSmom, I was hoping you could tell me more about your experience with UHC. I have UHC Choice plus, its a federal employees plan. I have started all the preop requirements, and have my consults next week. Then the surgeons office will submit to insurance. I worry they will find some reason to deny it. I too havent had a 5 yr hx of BMI over 40. It's been over 35 and I've had HBP too. So reading your thread has gotten me a little nervous. I'd like to hear how your experience was, and what all happened. thanks!

oops...I meant "WON'T object to my lower BMI." I will let you know. I haven't read many posts about them, mostly been New Start Patients. I actually almost went with them, but had already started the process with Wash U. I hope I'm making the right choice.

Hi Shawna. I'm just starting. I have all the pretesting like labs, and barium swallow done. I am meeting with the Surgeon, the nutritionist, and the physical therapy on Monday and Tuesday. I guess it's after that appointment that they will submit to insurance. I'm still a little worried that someone will deny me. My BMI is 37 and I have HBP and a fam hx of diabetes, and heart disease...so I'm hoping the insurance or the surgeon will object to my lower BMI.

I'm nearby. I haven't been banded yet, have my consults at the end of the month with Wash U's program. How are you doing so far?

I swear, you get a different answer every time you call UHC. I've called several times to make sure I have done everything I can to get this approved, and each time I've called, I get different answers. One time this representative I spoke to actually came out and said "I can't help you".....how can she not answer a simple question??!!! I have my consults with the psych, the nutrionist, and the surgeon at the end of the month, then they will be submitting to insurance for approval. I hope all goes well, but it's hard to keep from getting discouraged when you keep getting different answers.

I've started the program at Wash U. I have my consult/appointments with them on the 30th of April, and on the 1st of May. I've already submitted my pretesting results to them, and filled out some questionaires from them. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

I need some advice on how to approach this with my pcp. I was hoping to avoid getting her involved, as I think it will be hard to get her to "sign off' on this surgery for me. I have an appointment with her at the end of the week, anyone have some suggestions as to what I could say to her sway her decision? She's seen my attempts, and all the failures, I am just mentally tired of fighting this battle...I am not looking forward to talking with her about it again...I hope it goes well.

Thanks! I'll let her know. I'll also let her know to check out this site, maybe you guys can compare info.

Hey there. I live a little south...near St Louis. My Sis-inlaw just had the surgery. She's from your area. What surgeon did you use? She went out of state, but is looking for a fill doc. I can't believe they got rid of the Chief!