barbara465

As of 6/1 Spiegel will not be In Network. UHC gave me some names. They are: Parendra Banker (Humble), Tohomas Speinvach, Barry Sachs. I also asked about Garth Davis. Now, I haven't heard of any of these doctors so I didn't like the choices. I contacted Dr. Matthew St. Laurent and worked a deal with him that is far better than Dr. Spiegel. Under Dr. Spiegel it was going to cost me almost $8,000 out of pocket. I am getting the surgery at the same center Spiegel uses and my out of pocket is $3,300. That is less than what it was going to cost me when Spiegel was In Network. You can call UHC and they will give you a list of surgeons in your area of Houston. However, I wanted to go to someone that has patients on here. I really like Dr. St. Laurent. His office and staff and program is so different from Dr. Spiegel.

Good luck and hope you have a good trip home. Remember to get up every 60 minutes to stretch and sip your water. You will be feeling great in just a few days.

Glad to hear of your approval! I also have UNC and have found them quite helpful. It would have been a shame to gain weight to lose weight. :Banane13:

I am such a firm believer that things happen for a reason. If it is meant to be it will happen. If for some reason you don't get this, maybe just maybe you are now open for something you hadn't even considered. Now that you see how you could telecommute and make a contribution, you just might find another opportunity that is better. Hang in there. Our priorities are not necessarily theirs. They may be busy on other matters and the delay or no word has nothing what so ever to do with your request. :Banane13: Good luck. Good things are coming your way.

I believe Dr. Felix Spiegel has an office near there. He is in Houston, but has an office in Beaumont or Port Arthur. I think Port Neches is near there. There are tons of Doctors in Houston so if you can't find one local you can head our way.

What a shock. I can still see Chris's stunned face. Who would have thought he would go and Kat would stay. Taylor has been the top one now for 3-4 weeks and it looks like he may take it all. Elliott made a nice comback, but won't make it for the long haul. We don't need to cry for Kelli as she is shopping deals in Nashville. Seems like all the record producers are standing in line to sign her. I have to believe the same is true for Chris. He will have better deals than if he won.

Look at the various threads. You will find a wealth of information about food, preop and post op lists of foods, etc. Good luck.

I agree with the others - get another opinion. They are operating on people a lot bigger than you. Granted it, the risks are higher, but as you said if you could do it alone you would. Most doctors will put you on a liquid diet several weeks before your surgery to help shrink your liver. You can do that as you know it is temporary and will help you with surgery. This doctor doesn't understand the issues with obsese patients and the quicker you find one that does you will be on a better path. Remember, after care is just as important as the surgery. Good luck

This for me is like when I gave up smoking. I knew I was going to give it up when the cartons I brought back from the Carribbean were gone. I smoked and smoked to the point I was making myself sick. My birthday came before the cigarrets were gone and I thought it was a good time to quit. I did. Cold turkey. I am so ready for this surgery. My husband and I planned this cruise and I didn't want to do anything to spoil it. It is my last hooray with food. As it gets closer to cruise time I feel myself not so in love with food. I am really getting bored with everything and just want to get on with my new life with the band. My mind is set, but the restriction is not here yet. I spend lots of time on the board reading. I want to stay "pluged in" so I don't fall back to old ways. Hang in there and remember - the more you gain the more you have to lose once surgery is over. Better to start cutting back now.

That is a lapband horse in the making! That was cute.

I agree that Katherine will go this week. She will get a contract, with or without the win. The guys were awesome last night and should be in the final 3. Kat hasn't been as good, but she will be better once an agent and coach get a hold of her.

My doctor was explaining that the larger band had sections to it instead of one solid wrap. He noticed that when withdrawing some of the fluid that some could get "trapped" in one of those sections. With that band, he has to "assume" that the missing amount is still in there and hiding. This might not be the answer you were looking for, but that's what he explained to me.

I danced with my sister because I'm cool!

Prayers and thoughts I am sending to you. Having had many, many, colonoscopy procedures, polups removed, etc. I understand your panic. Just remember, this is the most preventable area of concern with early detection of problems. You are doing the right things. Let us know how it goes.

Good luck with the new job and the new goal. Now what's in it for us? I think that after picture better be of you in your swim trunks on some nice beach! Umm, forgot it will be November. OK, a nice tux will do!

Vic, There is so much information on this website and others. I would first suggest you do some internet searches on lapband, etc. so you can get some general information. There is www.obesityhelp.com that describes most of the procedures. Most of us on this site believe in the lapband because it does not surgically change any of our body parts, its reversible if there is an emergency, and its the safest of all of the weight loss surgeries. I would also suggest you attend one of the seminars in your area about lapbands. They will describe the entire process, what the lapband looks like, what fills are (.5, 2.5, etc you referrenced), and what you can expect. The lapband is a tool and you must work with to change your eating habits. The weight loss is slower than with other means, but its a lifelong committment. Hope this helps. Anyone on here will be happy to help answer your questions, but you will find it easier to start looking through some of the threads to get information.

I'll do the jumping for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats.

Welcome. I was going to have mine done by Dr. Spiegel, but now have changed to Dr. St. Laurent. What a difference in approaches. You will find wonderful information on this site and lots of new friends. Hope you get a fast approval and can get started. I still have a month to go, but the approval is completed.

I agree that something else may be going on. I have auto immune problems and no energy. I'm not taking care of a 3 year old and a 11 month old either. I take B12 shots every week (most just get them monthly) and a thyroid pill. Have your primary check you out. Of course, depression also makes one tired. Rule out causes first. I'm hoping the band will help me with my energy levels. It can't hurt to get some of this weight off that's for sure.

For me its a matter of proving I could do everything - despite being fat! I went to college while raising my child after my divorce. I even got an advanced degree. I became successful in my work, in spite of being fat. I traveled, have friends, lead an active life. I was comfortable in my own skin. I was fat so what. The last thing was love. After so many years I found the man to spend the rest of my life together. We have married not quite two years. He accepted me for who I was, not what I looked like. He is a normal weight person. Now what? All my things to do being fat have been met. I found a man to look past the fat and find the real me. Nothing stopping me now from getting healthy. I'm not looking at it as getting thin, but more as getting healthy. I want to spend some years with this man. I use the fat as my shield, to protect me from my feelings. I am no longer afraid and will start the journey soon. There's no reason not to and every reason to.

Everyone is different and everyone approaches this program in different ways. It sounds like you understand the issues and what must be done to succeed. You have your own plan, your own adjustments to make, and your own path to follow. Don't worry about what others are doing, or not doing. Learn from their mistakes and move on. Don't let others set you up to fail. I have told very few people of my plans, not because I'm ashamed. I only told those that I knew could handle it and would be a positive force in my life. The others, or are still friends, will find out when the changes in me become apparent. Good luck to you.

It will be interesting to see who wins - Taylor or Chris. Such different styles. I think the public will pick one of them and not Kat. Elliott will go next. I think Chris will win and Taylor will do OK as well.

Make a small slit in your bra and remove the underwire. If that gets rid of the problem then you know what caused it. The bra will still be good. It will just be minus the underwire. Maybe since you have lost weight the placement of the underwire is irritating your port.

I am meeting with Dr. St. Laurent on Friday. I may be switching from Spiegel if it works out. Listen to the doctors and follow their advise. Sometimes you just have to take a chance, especially when doing nothing has just as dire consequences. Good luck.

Great job! Take a bow. You should be very proud of yourself. I know I am proud of you. I hope to join you in onederland one day.