Hi All-My husband is freeking because I really had planned on MX (Dr. Ortiz), but if I could get some input from anyone having good experiences with excellent surgeons in a closer proximity to Central AR, he might feel better about all this. Plus anyone knowing anything about United Healthcare (Railroad Health & Welfare Plan) benefit for lapband. ......Or any input on who to avoid in AR, TX, KS, MO or TN?????At least I could rule out who not to consider....Thanks for everything.

P.S. :nervous It seems like there are so many doctors to choose from and so many bandsters go their own route....how do you finally choose???????this is a scarry process to me.

Whatever you do...do not use MWIBS in Lenexa, Kansas. You are more that welcome to PM me for more info on that one. It is a long, nasty story. One of the surgeons, that left that practice and has established his own, did my surgery and is now doing my follow up care. His name is Dr. Jesse Lopez in Overland Park, Kansas. He is 'in-network' for United Healthcare.

I have United Healthcare and they approved me first go around. From what I have seen and heard from others, they tend to be one of the better ones to work with.

:help: My genre,

could you please give me an idea of the timeframe that it took United Health Care to approve your surgery from our MD sending in the info to when you got the OK from them?

I have UHC too and will se my MD theend of January and have all of he pre-surgery appointments done by then.

Thanks very much for you heads up on the timeframe.

Carola

Archermom,

It took UHC about 2 1/2 weeks to approve me. All they needed was a letter of medical need from the doctor's office. I never had to meet with a dietician or have a psyc. evaluation.

Hope this helps.

-Debra

Yes, a lot, thank you!

Sorry for stealing the thread...

Carola