Chris61

Hi All: I hope that things are getting back to normal and power is back on for you all. We had a lot of wind and rain in St. Louis. The only damage I had was a couple of big tree lims came down and one it he side of the roof and did about 300.00 in damage the other fell into the neighbors yard and just missed the deck. I have a couple of friends who had water in the basement at about 6 feet high. Went to the doctor yesterday for the one year update and my new weight is 184. I go for a sleep study on Thursday which is the one year since I got the band. Time has gone fast and have not looked back. Will post more once I find out about how Iam doing with all the loss. I have a herbest retainer that I also use with the CPAP. Might not need the machine anymore. Chris

We were approved within 30 days. I can forward you a letter that we had used if you would like. Chris

What happens if he does not wish to take that test? What if the test comes back with non conclusive information? What if he pass with no problems than what are you going to do? Chris

Suzzie I like your wording about goals. It really is true. Glad everyone is doing well. Chris

Hi Nancy: If you have every had any orthodontic work, Ie braces and retainers, weather it was for tooth movement or told hold them in place. It will be just the same type of retainer and feel. There are many devices out there and when you go to the sleep apnea dentist they will help you picl what is right for you. My Dr. felt that I would doo good with the herbest retainer. I have had not any problems with wearing it at night at all. Chris

It is amazing how effective this blue pill and the other two colored pilss are. It is amazing how many relationship and other issues these pills have caused over the years. I wish you the best of luck with this and your weight loss. It sounds like you have done real good with the loss in weight so far. Chris

My doctor took picutres at the time of band placement and look just like this. Would love to see what it looks like a yer later. One year next week for me. Chris

About three months after being banded I had my machine adjusted. I also have had problems wearing the mask/nose pice at night so the doctor sent me to the dentist and got a herbest retainer and have not had many problems. I will be one year next week and will have a sleep study to see how well I have done before I had the band. I was 250 at the sleep study and now down almost 65 lbs. Will let everyone know how the test goes. When I saw the sleep doctor the other day he thought I was doing great and notice changes and said it was time to see how Iam doing. I went from a 13-14 down to a 4 but mainly stay around 7 or 8 I have an auto type of machine. Chris

When I got the band a year ago I asked the doctor which he used and then what size I would get. He said that he would try to use the inmed but would not know the type and size until he got in there and was able to see what would fit the best. When we first meet the doctor he showed us a couple examples of the band and was able to see and feel them. It was really neet he showed them to us. Was able to learn a lot about what we would be getting into. Chris

Once I had the band I could tell that there was something to cause me not to eat as much. I have had 3-4 fills and did feel restriction for at least a couple of days and longer. I will see the doctor next week for my one year and will see about getting a fill on the following Monday not sure how much. Just like everyone else has said I have had some problems with eating to fast, not chewing enough, eating foods that I thought I would not have problem and having problems with. Ie: rice, some types of large breads etc. Chris

I agree with everyone here in regards to politics. We do need a safe zone since it is going to get worse and not better. At least with biking we can go out and block everything out and just enjoy the nice weather this fall and how it makes us feel while and after riding. Things have been busy here as well. We are coming down to the wire with getting the Indy airport ready to be open for flights in Nov. Weight loss is doing good. I go for another sleep study this month to see if I can get rid of the CPAP Machine and just use the herbest retainer. I will be one year out on the 19th of this month. Glad to see that everyone is doing real well. Chris

A lot of doctors say that as you loose the weight the sleepapena starts to go away as well. My pressure was set at a 12-13 and now down to a 4 and will be getting another sleep study this month since it has been 16 months since the last one and will see how well I am doing. I will keep everyone posted as to the results. I also have been using the dental device more than the cpap machine. Chris

A lot of doctors use this as one of co-issues to get you approved for surgery. Also some doctors want you to be treated for that before surgery. I had a sleep study done 3 months before surgery and will be having one this month to see how well Iam doing with the weight loss. Iam down almost 60 lbs now. I hope that this answers your question. Chris

I did not tell my mom and dad about it until about a month ago. I had gone to meet with them they wanted to get me somethings and asked about sizes and told them what I was wearing and then we I got there I told them about it. They were pleased with the results and did not really say much but was glad that I and the wife did something. Good luck with talking with your dad. I think it will go a let better than you think. First be at peace with your self and then tell him. If he has concerns etc. you might have him go to the doctor with you so he can get all his answers. Just a thought for you. Chris

Our doctor does it each time he does a fill. He wants to make sure there is no problem with the band, flow of liquid, food and that you are not to tight etc. I have not had a fill without the x-ray so Iam not sure how well that works. I think you will see that people will agree on either side of this issue. I do not think it is a black and white issue. Chris

I can tell you that he has been around for a verylong time and has done a lot of by-pass and bands. When I lived in Fla 6 years ago I was looking at being banded by Dr. Vaughn. Never did meet him. There was a couple of old timmers that did go to him and they did well. Have not seen those people on here in a long time. Chris

Iam from St. Louis and My wife and I used Dr. Minkin at Des Pers Hosp. We really like hime. He has several other people on this site as well. If you would like e-mail me at VCW61@excite and I can help you with any questions you might have. Chris

Everyinsurance is differant. I had some problems with dates missing. I just put in my letter that I had tried to get the stuff from past doctors and was not able to since it was more than 5 years sincce I had been to see him. I also found some records from when I had physicals at work and used them. You could also go to your OBGYN and other doctors. I can forward you a copy of the letter I used and was approved. VCW61@excite.com Chris

I was on the border in regards to BMI. I can forward you a copy of a letter that we used. I was wondering if the doctor just said pain in the knees or other issues or did he use technical names? I would talk witht he doctor and see how he did the letter. Chris

I have UHC and I used five years of dates at the doctor and was approved with no problem. If you e-mail me I will forward you an example letter that my wife and I used to get approved. Also my wife doctor would not help much with weights in the letter so we went to her OBGYN and he did the exact same letter and was approved within 15 minutes after being resubmitted. We will be a year out next month and doing well. vcw61@excite.com Chris

Kristi with an I: Did you talk to our band doctor and see if he can give you a doctor in your area to do fills. I think if you just call in it is tuff to get in since they have so many of there own people but if you have the band doctor call them it might be a differant story. Just a thought here. Chris

Welcome to the group Slow and Low. I understand that you have UHC. I also have UHC Pro and was approved in less than 30 days. I can forward you a copy of the letter that I used. Have you talked to UHC to see what doctors are under your insurance program. We went to Dr. Minkin at Des Pers Hosp. UHC also is taken at DePaul as I understand. With UHC they were looking for 5 years of weights, medical issues you have, diet programs that did/did not work. If you have any questions just ask here or e-mail me at vcw61@excite.com. I will be one year in Sept. It is the best thing we have done. Chris

I Went to Dr. Minkin in St. Louis. Chris

I work in Construction Safety working on major projects. Iam in the process of finshing up the New Indy Airport. Opens to the public on 11/11/08. I also did safety on Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Was banded almost a year ago and down 60lbs. Chris

Sounds like to me you are a some what tight. You might want to get a little taken out. Here is another thing to take into mind and I have found this as a problem mainly at lunch since I eat out and that is eating to fast. Even though we think we are eating slowly etc. that might not be the case. I have had to train my self to eat slower and that has been hard to do. Chris