Newbie located just north of Houston - Lots of Questions

I am considering the surgery. Have been researching the different types and trying to make up my mind for a couple of years.:confused:

I currently have HMO Blue of TX and am wondering how that will work out for me. Anyone with experience on that one? The good news is that I can change my insurance carrier each fall.

I am considering a couple of doctors - if they take my insurance. Dr. Spivak and Dr. Robert Marvin with Obesity Surgery Specialists in Houston.

I spent a lot of time thinking I wanted the Duodenal Switch, but then decided that I should try the least invasive procedure to start - and hopefully it will work for me. We'll see...

I have been overweight since I was born. :baby:9 lbs 11 1/2 ozs. Went to a weight loss doctor several years back - did the lose and gain back thing...:phanvan I am currently flirting with 300 lbs at the age of 48. I have had rheumatoid arthritis since I was 27 and suffer from a "relaxed esophagus," which I am told is sometimes a side affect of the rheumatoid.

For those of you that don't know - rheumatoid arthritis is not an arthritis - it is an autoimmune disease. Don't know if the relaxed esophagus issue will be a stumbling block for the procedure or not. I do know that the medications I take for the rheumatoid - as well as the rheumatoid itself - can retard the healing process.

Well, there's my book. Look forward to reading the input from all of you. Thanks, Bobbi.

Hi Bobbie, and WELCOME to our home... glad to have you! :biggrin1:

Have you gone to any group meetings for either doctor?

Thats a great way of finding the right surgeon - AND getting good info (espeically knowing about your relaxed esophagus problem).

Good luck - and again...

WELCOME!

Thanks for the advice. As I mentioned, I have done a lot of research - but have really just decided to have the lap band as opposed to any of the other procedures.

Now that I've decided on which procedure, it is a perfect time to do as you suggested. I'm sure they'll tell me at the meetings whether they have been successful with my insurance carrier...

Thanks and I would be interested in hearing your lap band story. I just went to the Northside Bandsters meeting in The Woodlands this past Thursday, but I was unable to visit for very long.

Bobbi

Welcome to LBT!

Hi i am from Houston, I am very disappointed this morning and I really need some help from you all. My insurance is with United Healthcare

I received my approval from United Healthcare. All things were in order

with Dr.Spivak office., I went throught all my pre op testing. now this morning I called to schedule my surgery and I cant do it because UHC

has changed their co payment by $5,000. I am at a lost this morning.

I really like Dr. Spivak and his staff . I called UHC this morning and raised

all kinds of hell. I am planning on sending Texas state Insurance Board a letter as well. Dr. Spivak office is considering dropping UHC what do I DOOO!!!!!

Hang in there and see what happens. My UHC didn't pay any of mine. I was self pay. It was all worth it.

I love the band. It has helped me so much. Better than anything else I have ever tried. And, I have tried alot.

Welcome to the board. The band is a wonderful tool and this is a great place to find information.

Hi, Bobbi,

Welcome to the board. Dr. Marvin did my banding on December 26, 2005 and I have been very pleased with the results. His seminars are on Tuesday nights and Saturday morning. They are wonderful.

Mary

Howdy, Bobbi!!

Welcome!

Good luck with the whole process!

Hi i am from Houston, I am very disappointed this morning and I really need some help from you all. My insurance is with United Healthcare

I received my approval from United Healthcare. All things were in order

with Dr.Spivak office., I went throught all my pre op testing. now this morning I called to schedule my surgery and I cant do it because UHC

has changed their co payment by $5,000. I am at a lost this morning.

I really like Dr. Spivak and his staff . I called UHC this morning and raised

all kinds of hell. I am planning on sending Texas state Insurance Board a letter as well. Dr. Spivak office is considering dropping UHC what do I DOOO!!!!!

Try starting a NEW thread with this info. You'll probably get more feedback if you do it that way.

good luck fighting your way through "insurance hell".