Poodles

I have been reading obesityhelp.com where they have patient comments regarding physicians. All positive comments about Benevides, some negatives about Hamn. Biggest negative for Hamn is no aftercare program. That is very important isn't it? Still a little confused....

Hey was just surfing around and found this. Don't know anything about it, but it looks like a great price for a self pay patient. http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/wish_center_lapband_special.html

Well according to my OB/GYN I have three years of documentation and he will write me a letter of recommendation for the approval. I think that is good news! Hopefully, it will work! As for the sleep test, he did not know. Called my insurance company and they said I need a psych test, a nutrition consultation, and 12 months of documentation. Guess my next step is to find out if I am psycho....

Ok, well I went to a seminar on Saturday with Dr. Benevides and really liked him. Today I called my OB/GYN to see what he thought and he recommended Dr. Hamn in Frisco. Says that several of his patients have had tremendous weight loss with Dr. Hamn, and that his facility is at the hospital in case something happens, which would be safer. He did not have an opinion on Benevides. I have read good things and bad regarding Hamn, like how he won't let you go to another "fill Dr", appointment issues, bedside manner issues, etc. And have not read any negative things about Benevides. Would like to know opinions from actual patients about before care, after care, surgery issues/facilities, etc. My OB/GYN said to find out about rate of success and complications before I get cut on by anyone, so figured I would start here! Figure I need to make the right choice, because from what I have read you are stuck with your surgery doctor for aftercare. Thanks in advance for your help

Hey, I am a Better Homes and Gardens lady myself... a fun game I like to play is Sticker Stalker. People have to get up and move around, you know, mingle. You give each person a few stickers (3-?) and they must place it on another person without them knowing. If they get caught they have to take all of the stickers from the person that caught them putting the sticker on them. Trick is to hug everyone, pat everyone on the back, "throw" the stickers on people. First one out of stickers, and with no stickers on them, has to name who they tagged and prove it, then they win a prize. Women love this game, they get very creative and very paranoid of others. Also, I have an A-Z game. Give a topic like Actors names and from A-Z they have to list them (Alec Baldwin, Brad Pitt, Carson Daly, etc) First one done with real names wins a prize. I had a "Hot List Card" for Valentines day, and they loved it. Have fun!

I went to a seminar yesterday with Dr. B. He went through the procedure and answered everyones questions. I like the fact that he has done 1500+ cases with no deaths, and he has trained several doctors too. I asked several questions, and he did not make me feel stupid at all. From what I can tell he was very honest. I asked him if anyone removed the band because they could not handle it. He said he has had some patients that could not take the lifestyle changes, but for the most part everyone is happy. He went through the pluses and minuses of the procedure, and answered very specific questions like it was no big deal. There was also a lady there with a testimonial. My friend and I were very impressed with the whole situation. I did not make an appointment yet, but am still gathering information and filling out paperwork. It kind of freaked me out when I saw that the band can fill to make the opening the size of a dime. But guess that is the point. My friend and I drove by the surgery center, and was not impressed by the outside, but guess they can cut you open anywhere, right? Really liked the staff and the doctor, for all that is worth.

So does it have to be six months straight? If so I need to start back now. If it can be three/four times a year, or once/twice a year with my OBGYN then I am good for the past 10+ years.

The nuclear stress test is no big deal. They shoot you up with green juice (joke) and they take some pictures of your heart. If I remember correctly, they take pictures of your heart. Then they put you on a treadmill and take pictures of your heart again after exercise. The "green juice" just makes everything show up better. I drove myself to the office and everything. It seemed to take forever, but was only around 2 hours. I had two doctors review mine, and everything was fine. My EKG was fine, and they could not figure out why my BP shot up so high and I had chest pains. New Meds and a few days rest and I was back at work. Now the nuclear stress test itself required no follow up. Guess it just depends on your results as to what they do after.

I keep reading that some insurance requires psyche exams, sometimes sleep apnea tests, and sometimes a stress test. Would like to know exactly what tests are required before surgery. Is it different for each person? Also, I had a nuclear stress test two years ago. Do you think that would work? Or do the tests have to be recent? And about Dr reports on diets, what are the requirements? I was put on a low carb diet after I was released from the hospital for chest pain (Atkins same time as the stress test). My OBGYN put me on it for my PCOS/HBP/insulin factors. He may have it in my chart. Went from 320 to 285. I have tons of proof of using the product (receipts), but no official Dr visits for weight loss. I was also on Phen-Phen 8 years ago, and could probably get the records. Info too old? Just don't know what kind of stuff I will need, or if I need to start now.

Good news for Teacher! If you are on that horrible TRS Activecare through BC/BS offered to TX teachers then I have good news for you. In my ISD three people have been approved and have had their surgeries. Two bypasses and one band (so far). I am watching their progress now. The lady with the band just had to show Dr. monitored diet for one year. So there is hope, if you meet the other requirements.

Hey, you have made it through the tough part. A fill should be great! Wish you the best of luck and a very safe trip!

Thank you for all of the information. I think I am going to do it, will know for sure after this seminar on Saturday. I know I need to do something. Trying on my own for 15+ years has not helped! Would appreciate any more advice you have. Thanks again!

I have been reading about "mushie" stages and blenders and such, and was wondering about baby food. Can you eat baby food post-op, or thereafter for a "fast food" type deal? They come in little 4 oz jars, which would be just the right portion. Laugh and point if you must, but then tell me if it would work.

Hello all. I am a 32 year old female, close to the 285 mark, have been big for 10+ years. Ended up in the hospital with chest pains two years ago and was put on a diet, which I have followed, and lost 35 lbs. Highest weight was 320. I have been on a low carb diet to help PCOS symptoms, am on glucophage, and High Blood Pressure meds, as well as Wellbutrin. If I stay low carb I have a regular cycle, but have not dropped any more weight. Know that my portions are too large, but I get HUNGRY. Have read that the band helps with appetite control if you "work it" correctly, but have also read that it does not help PCOS patients as much as "normal" people. So my question is: do you think it would work for me? I know I have the will power to stay low carb, but feel I need some help with portions. My insurance has been good about paying for it for others, but have not tried myself, yet. I am going to a seminar on Saturday, but really wondering if it will be worth it in the long run. Any and all advice appreciated. Thanks!