Chris61

I saw the band a couple of weeks ago at Dr. Minkin office in St. Louis. It looked really good and compared to the others I would rather have the new band. He said that it costs about 4,000.00 dollars. He his now using it. He has allready put several in and the people like them so far. Chris Pre Band St. Louis

Iam a BMI of 39.9 and have hypertension, gout, pre-diabetic, high blood pressure, sleep apena. I have been approved by the doctor and have one more test and hope to have the stuff sent in by the end of August, 2007. Chris Pre Band St. Louis

I would see if you can use your own psych doctor. Also I am going to Dr. Minkin at Des Pers Hosp. I haev my psych review on Tueday July 30, 2007. Chris Pre band St. Louis

I think there is a place in Sadelia, Missouri. I saw the post about a year ago. I hope that this will help you. Chris Pre-band St. Louis

Another thing I forgot to mention: While I was waiting for Chest X-ray Dr. minkin was there doing fills on people. I got to talk with several people who had the band and were glad that they had done it and a lot of the medical issues they had are no longer issues. It did not take them long to get a fill. He must have done 3 while I was waiting to get x-ray. He does all his fills under flur scope (sp).The also were very happy with Dr. Minkin with how he treated them and took care of issues they might have. We also meet a couple of other people who was having the test done. We even had a group meeting on how we will be changing are eating habits etc. So that was nice to see others are doing it also. Chris Pre Band St. Louis

My wife and I meet with Dr. Minkin and things went very well. He explain a few things and showed us both the old lap band and the New AP Band. It sure looked neet and felt differant. He did say that when he puts it in he also puts a couple of stiches in also. The week before he place the New AP band for the first time in St. Louis with a husband and wife team that had surgery at the same time. He did explain some of the requirements that he has with the band etc. We did ask some questions, and gave very straight answers. He also saw that we were prepared since I had the lapband book by Jessie. I did ask if there was a warrenty on the band and he did not really know what to say. However he did say that the new band cost about 4,000 to 5,000 each. He approved for us to have the medical test done so that they could submit the paper work to the insurance company. Because of doing my reasearch and having things ready when we came to the office his staff was surpised at what I had and then they said they did not need it all. The biggest problem that my wife and I was with are own doctors in trying to get them to put together all the information. Even with the letter that I wrote as an example neither office was able to get it right. We have been working with both of them to get it right. My doctor has sent the corrected verison to them. My wife is still working with heres. We did the one stop shopping yesterday at the hospital and things went well. My wife had the psych today as he was not in yesterday and I have mine next Tuesday. Then we will go to see Dr. Minkin on the 13th of Aug. and hope at that time he will then submit the paper work and we get approved. We are looking at the last quarter of 07. We will not do it together at the same time. She will go first and then I will go a couple of weeks later. So for know thats all I know. I will let you know more in a couple of weeks. Thanks again for all the help. Chris Pre Band St. Louis

My doctor requires a mandatory one week off of work. Once you see him one week post-op he will then release to go back to work. He also does not allow his pt. to drive that week either. Chris Pre-Band St. Louis

My wife and I meet the doctor last week and he gave us the paper work to have stress test, lung test,psych eval and couple of other items. We go back next month to see him and hope that he sends in the paper work and we can get banded sometime before the end of the year. Chris Pre-Band St. Louis

My Doctor requires you to stay overnight and then have a barrium type x-ray to ensure that you have proper Fluid movement and then you go home. He also has you up and walking right after surgery also. I hope to be banded by the end of the year. Chris Pre-Band St. Louis

Well Monday 7/16/07 will be a day for my wife and me. We are both going to meet with Dr. Minkin at <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Des</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Peres</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Hospital</st1:PlaceType> in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">St. Louis</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Missouri</st1:State></st1:place> to get approval for Lapband Surgery. From everything we have heard he is very good. We have also heard that his patients have had a lot of success with the Lapband. We are hoping to get the new advance lapband. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> I have been on here for a very long time and after a lot of research and things changing in our lives we have both decided to this together. We have all the paper work together for the insurance company submittal and are ready to do this. However the only problem that I for see will be that I am overly knowledgeable for this and might bust the doctor’s bubble. <o:p></o:p> I just want to thank you all for all your help and advice over the years. Will let you know how it goes next week. <o:p></o:p> Thanks <o:p></o:p> Chris Pre-Band 250lbs BMI 40 with co-issues <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">St. Louis</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Mo</st1:State></st1:place> VCW61@excite.com

Well Monday 7/16/07 will be a day for my wife and me. We are both going to meet with Dr. Minkin at Des Peres Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri to get approval for Lapband Surgery. From everything we have heard he is very good. We have also heard that his patients have had a lot of success with the Lapband. We are hoping to get the new advance lapband. I have been on here for a very long time and after a lot of research and things changing in our lives we have both decided to this together. We have all the paper work together for the insurance company submittal and are ready to do this. However the only problem that I for see will be that I am overly knowledgeable for this and might bust the doctor’s bubble. I just want to thank you all for all your help and advice over the years. Will let you know how it goes next week. Thanks Chris Pre-Band 250lbs BMI 40 with co-issues St. Louis, Mo VCW61@excite.com

Congradulations on getting approved. I was born and raised in Cincinnati also. My wife and I are in the process of getting are paper work in for approval. We have Pre-op testing in a couple of weeks and then meet the doctor. Hope to be approved for the fall time. Chris Pre Band St. Louis

I think that it is a good show. It is good to see that other people are having the same problems that everone else has. I am looking forward to seeing the lapband being done. For the newbeeis it helps them to understand a lot of the issues that some have all ready been through and what others will be going through. This groups has helped out a lot. Chris Pre Band:clap2:

St. Louis, Missouri and working in Indy, In (originally from Ohio)

I would have the doctor CC the insurance company and have them send it in for you. Chris Pre Band St. Louis

How are you doing since you got your fill? Do you feel that you are now back on track. I have by apt. on the 22 with Dr. Minkin in St. Louis to seek approval for lapband. I have all the tests the week before. When approved I will be doing it at Des Pers. I hope to hear from you soon. Chris Pre Band St. Louis

I am working on getting approved. I am in the process of writting the letter for the PCP that will include all the weightloss things I have dones, All my weights/bp/BMI listed. Along with when I was told about the co-morbitity stuff. I will then take the letter in and have them put it on there letter head and send it to the lapband doctor. If you need some help e-mail me at vcw61@excite.com. Chris Pre-Band St. Louis

I had my sleep study last night. They told me that I would have a split test. They would do the sleep first and then halfway through switch over and work on the mask. I did pick a mask. How ever the never did to the mask. They said that my numbers were below but that I had several issues. They were notsure if I needed a C-pap, V-pap or Bi-pap etc. Not really sure what all of it means. Will have to wait for the doctor. I have some questions for every one 1) How many people have been put on the diffeant type of Pap machines? 2) How long after surgery was it before you could be taken off and did you have to have another sleep study? How much weight did you loose before getting off of the machine. 3) Did any one have jaw surgery instead of using the machine? I have read some information about this and just wondering. Chris Pre Band St. Louis

I have United Health Care through my company and according to the benfits management groups it is covered. Iam waiting for them to send the requirements. My wife and I both have an app. to do the prelimary stuff for the doctor in a couple of weeks and then meet with the Dr. the following and hope to have approval by end of August. If you have any questions you can e-mail me at VCW61@excite.com Thanks Chris Pre-Band St. Louis

<p>I just wanted to post an apology about a private e-mail that I sent to memeber of this thread. I went over board about my life, work etc. She did not care for that at all. I did send an e-mail to here and told here that I was sorry for the length of the letter etc.</p> <p> </p> <p>I hope that this will help clear everything up in regards to OH juili and my post.</p> <p> </p> <p>Chris</p> <p>Pre Band</p>

I agree and thats why i want to get the lapband since it will force me to eat better and also to get out and do more excerise etc. I hope to be banded later this summer or fall. Chris Pre Band St. Louis

Oh Juli - this is Chris who used to live in Cincy and Columbus. I hve tried to send you two PM but that did not work so I sent it to your Yahoo address. I hope to here from you soon. I have enjoyed all your post and keep up the good work. Iam straight but do like to learn more about the other side. My wife and I have date a date with the WLS doctor in St. Louis and also will do his on stop shopping in regards to physical, diet work, and psy. I have also talked with are Benfits people who have talked to United Health Care and it is covered and they are getting me the requiremtns for this. I will post here when I get it. Thanks again for letting be part of this group. I also have my sleep study tommrow night. Chris :clap2: Pre Band St. Louis

Hi Jill: Thanks for the reply. I did send you two PM's one yesterday and today. Not sure if you received them or not. The did not show up in my out box like the other ones have. I hope all is well in Columbus. Chris Pre Band

When my wife and I go to the doctor next month Iam going to ask for this band. Iam glad to see the picture. Chris Pre Band

Does anyone have a list of what to ask the doctor at the first visit. I have seen a list before but with all the changes on the websites I think that has been lost. Iam going to the doctor in couple of weeks and would like to have some. I will help the group and make a list and go from there. Chris Pre Band St. Louis:help: