bjblev1215

PHCS said they would pay for mine because my policy did not have an exlcusion...just sounds like you have to stay in network...never heard of UA though...

I think is it the french fries waving at your band as they go by...fast food....just kidding but you admitted it so I had to tease you about it. It took me 6 months to quit trying to go through a drive thru...my 3rd fill did the trick. It is air/gas...possibly...but another thing that sometimes happens after banding is a esophigeal spasms...not usually until a person has been banded for quite a while and not dangerous...just feels funny...sometimes you can see it under fluoro...if it doesn't stop then ask your surgeon and get a swallow under fluoro that should tell for sure...

Dr. Nilesh Patel out of San Antonio does fills for other surgeon's patients in Corpus. He has an office in Corpus off of Crosstown. You can try him...

Hey all Corpus Christi Bandsters! There is a support group in Corpus that is for band patients only! It is ran by Dr. Glenn Griffin, local band surgeon. The group meets the second Thursday of every month at 7 PM in the Spohn wellness center on the second floor of Sunrise Mall behind the Burlington Coat Factory. Every one is welcome and I hope people will try and come. Support is the key to success! I help facilitate the support group so let me know if you have any questions.

Lots of good docs in the Corpus area. I have heard good things about Chang and McDaniels out of Victoria and know Dr. Griffin in Corpus personally and he is a very nice and caring surgeon. Nice to have options down here where as there were none a while back.

My lap band surgeon never said anything to me about quitting smoking...my plastic surgeon made me cry everytime he got onto me about it...my surgeons nurses harrassed me relentlessly....but no one held weight loss surgery over my head if I didn't stop. It is a nasty, horrible, health disaster waiting to happen habit...but 5 years after my band...over 170lbs lost....I still haven't made the committment to quit...I need too but your docs are harrassing you like all docs do about smoking.

If they tell you they cover weight loss surgery as a treatment for morbid obesity then I would be estatic. Find a surgeon, get his office to run down the specifics and get it in writing for you...they're professionals out there that can do these things for you...let them handle it. Insurance companies are the worst. Tell me who your insurance co is and I can probably tell you what your looking at...I have worked in several lap band surgeons offices and know a little about insurance...hopefully I can help.

Since the realize band is still new to the US market I always tell people wait...don't be the guinea pig for new technology. Let realize be on the marktet a couple of years and let them work out any kinks then I would put it on the same level as the Allergan band. The newer allergan bands are working for people great...I am old school almost 5 years out and have the original Inamed band myself. Of course...this is just my opinion.

I work with a Lap Band surgeon in Corpus and I have heard good things about Dr. McDaniel in Victoria. I have also heard good things about Chang there also. Just becareful of the bait and switch...if you want a band get a band some docs try and talk people into a bypass and it should be your decision.

Richard, Sounds to me like your doing wonderful! It took me about 5 months to lose 68 lbs and I started with a BMI of 53 on this journey. Are you post op? If you are post op then you might consider a fill...check in with a dietitian to make sure your getting enough calories but not too many. Make sure it is high protein and low or no sugar...but like I said 68lbs in 10 weeks is phenominal with a lap band. You should be so proud!

There are lap band surgeons in Corpus now. They do not advertise heavily but they are very good. I know Dr. Spivak personally and he is an excellent surgeon (he was my band surgeon) but if you do not want to trek 4 hours everytime you need a fluoro or a fill I would look into Dr. Glenn Griffin in Corpus....also just to let yall know there is a lap band support program starting up in Corpus and by next month it should be in place. I wish everyone the best of luck out there.