Hey Houston Bandsters

[BCLYNN 0]

:eek: Mary, Thanks for the input on the burning. Has anyone said how long it will last? Can you feel the port? I can't feel mine. Are you still tired alot?:notagree

Thanks

Lynn

243/189/130

[maryb 1]

I am 18 days post band. I felt tired for two weeks, which is normal for me because of anesthia. I think the port pain (rip & burn) lasted about a week. Now, I can push on the port sight without any pain at all. I can feel my port when I push on it now. Your swelling may be keeping you from feeling your port.

[nancy M 0]

Hi. Am brand new. 3/29/06. lost 8 so far- reallllllly excited. Pearland area. Do you know of any bandsters/meetings in this area? Thanks,

nancy M

[Melissa Lea 1]

Hi Nancy M.

I do not know of a support group on the Pearland area. I know that on the yahoo, Houston Area Bandster Group that they are trying to get a Galleria area support group going. I'm not sure if there is a SW group or not. You might want to check out that web group and see.

Melissa Lea

[barbara465 2]

I'm sure there is a group closer to you. Most of that information can be found in Yahoo Groups, Health and Fitness, Houston Bandsters. Look at prior posts in this forum for exact address. Support groups seem to be all over the city.

[jackiehailey 0]

I Have Cigna Ins. They Want A Recod Of The Last 5 Yrs Of My Weight, And Also What Diets I Haved Tried. I Am Suppose To Document This The Weigh I Can But How Do You Document Diets?

[jackiehailey 0]

HI! GLAD TO HEAR FROM YOU.DID DR.KASPAR DO WELL WITH YOUR SURGERY? THEY CALLED ME NOW I HAVE TO GET WEIGHTS RECORDS AND DIET RECORDS FROM MY PC FOR THE INSURANCE CO (CIGNA) HOPE I CAN GET IT ALL DOCUMENTED! LET ME KNOW HOW THE WEIGHT LOSS IS GOING AND IF YOUR TIREED AND HUNGARY ALSO. GOOD LUCK!

[Demi79 0]

Hi Everyone!

I am searching for bansters who have gone to LapBand Texas with Dr Collier. On 1/26/06 I visited his seminar in The Woodlands. I myself live off of I-45 and Airtex. I am very much anxious to have this surgery but don't know what surgeon to use yet? I have heard several good things about Dr Spivak and Dr Spiegal but I am drawn to LapBand Texas because they only do LapBand and nothing else (so they say during seminar). My doctors want me to consult with surgeons that are affiliated with NWMedical because they are but I want full attention to specialist only involved with lapband. And I have so many questions on what I'm supposed to eat also? I'm 27yrs old and single.....I don't have to cook for anyone but myself so I don't usually. The only diet I was ever successful with was on Atkins. I did great and now I just can't get back on track. I know I am qualified to have the surgery but I have to convince Aetna that I am. I'm stuck and don't know what to do? I have a primary doc, diabetes doc and liver doc. I've done blood test after blood test and even a liver biopsy. I thought all these test were going to help my docs build a nice case to write my referrel letters to my ins co then they told me that they don't do that. So that's why I have to find a surgeon but now I'm feeling a little rushed (me rushing myself not my docs rushing me). Had they told me this months ago while doing all these test I could've already had a surgeon lined up or at least consulted with a few. I just feel very behind schedule now. I hear all the cases where it took months and even years to get ins apprvl but then I hear really good cases were it was a week or two later and they had a wls date. MaryB...how was Dr Collier and his staff did they help? I'm just full of worries just to get apprvl but no worries to the surgery part. I'm just REALLY REALLY READY TO START AN IMPROVED LIFESTYLE!!!

[barbara465 2]

Demi,

I did lots of research before deciding on Dr. Spiegel. He,in my opinion, has the best record. He's not a warms and fuzzing kind of doctor, but as my primary said, you want a surgeon with good hands. He has done over 3500 lapbands and seems to have perfected the sitching so no slippage. When you go to any of these doctors there is an information sheet you fill out. That is what's used to justify to insurance. Insurance is looking for a pattern of approved dieting and failure, meaning you gained the weight back. They are also looking for morbidity medical issues, like high blood pressure, arthritis, joint pain, diabetes, reflux, etc. Most of the lapband doctors submit your information sheet with their consultation notes. One of the first things to do is call your insurance and find out if obesity surgery is covered. If so, what is required. That way you will know what information they are looking for. Some of the doctors in the Woodlands use the surgical center that Dr. Spiegel and Spivak own. Check around. Watch this site and search for information here. You will find what doctors others have gone with, what foods to eat, what to expect, etc. There is a wealth of information here and caring loving people to help.

Good luck to you

[pgdptx 0]

I had my surgery done in Nov 2005 by Dr Speigel. I was very happy with his work as a surgeon and the lapband. I have had 2 fills and have lost 50 pounds so far. I now need a third fill and that's the problem. The first two fills took way too long for a short 2 minute (at the most) procedure. Both were at 9am and I did not get away from there until 12 noon :angry each time. Does everyone have this problem with Dr Speigel? Is there a solution to this excessive wait problem?

Pam

[barbara465 2]

It appears that Dr. Speigel is very busy these days. Some of us that planned on using him have had to scramble for new doctors. UHC and he have parted ways so I was going to be out lots of money to continue with him. There are several threads about him that indicate others are having issues.

You might want to find another fill doctor, or be prepared to spend most of the day there. I don't think the situation will get better. You will have to decide how important it is to you and whether you can deal with the long wait to get someone you are now familiar with. You might not need that many more fills so an occasional 1/2 day visit is not a big deal.

Good luck.

[mrycrltn 2]

Barbara,

I have learned to book the first appt. after lunch that is at 2:00. Then get there 30-45 min. early and then your in and out.

[barbara465 2]

Thanks Mary. Maybe Pam can do that and eliminate the wait.

[MelAnne 0]

Hey Houston Bansters....

I live in the north area near Spring (I$% and 1960 area) and was just curious if there any bandsters in this area?

I AM !!!!!

Wanna chat?

Melanie

[edazul 0]

I'm from the Conroe area, I was emailed a schedule for the meeting a month ago but was unable to attend to the Cafe Express meeting - when is the next meeting? Glad to hear there is alot of nieghbors rocking the same boat, I for one reason felt like the only person around with this surgery. Hope to get to meet you guys, ya'll sound great and very informative as well