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I was denied by UHC last week. My BMI is 38.7 w/ no comorbidities. The doctor I saw in Tyler, Dr. Babineau, said they cannot help me. I must go to my regualr doctor and "find" some comorbidities. I don't have a doctor b/c I don't complain about things! I have pitting endema, a severe weak bladder, back and knee pains..... none of this documented and no doctor to go to. Does anyone have any recommendations or suggestions on a new doctor. During my initial consult, the insurance lady said they would fight to get you approved. I was shocked at how she just blew me off and told me they couldn't do anything. HELP!!!!!

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I would suggest you go to Dallas. I live half way between Tyler and Dallas and find that Dallas doctors always seem to work better for me, no matter what the issue. It always seems to me that Tyler doctors are "behind times". I used Dr. Wade Barker in Dallas. I was a cash pay, so I cannot say how they are with insurance approval, but i really like Dr. Barker and his staff. I have a friend that used Dr. Benavides in Dallas as well. Keep looking. Surely you'll find the Dr. that is right for you. If the dr. you are seeing is not willing to help you now - run. You definatley want a Dr. that is willing to work with you should any problems occur.

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I was also told by my insurance that anything under a 40.0 BMI is not a candidate for lap band. I was a 39.8 at the time. I later found out that I wasn't quite as tall as I thought, so that pushed my BMI to 40.2! I did develop high blood pressure and that only added to my need for lap band surgery. I have my first appointment with the surgeon and nurse on 09/09/08. Psych consult on 09/12/08. Good luck to you.

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I had my surgery in Mexico and am using Dr. Babineau for my fill doctor. I was in the same boat you were as far as not having a regular doctor so I had nothing on file for the past 3 years. My insurance co. would not cover the surgery even if I did have problems. If you are in Tyler there is a great dr. in Lindale. He was my doctor here in Palestine for a long time. He is Great! His name is Russell Bell. He is with the Trinity Mother Frances clinic in Lindale. It is to far to go for colds and such. I found a dr. this past week in Jacksonville that I think I am really going to like.

Also, I started to go with Dr. Barker. I had heard some good things about him. I had a problem getting ahold of anyone at his office. I kept getting the answering machine. In the mean time I was contacted by someone I had sent some info to and things just flowed real smooth and I ended up going to Mexico. I have no regrets and had a great experience. I pd. 7,000 so if Dr. Barker is doing it for 9,500 that is a good deal.

Good Luck!

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my insurance will cover it, if.... your bmi is 40+... Babineau said they will not submit an appeal and she acted as if she didn't want to help me. I just needed guidance. They also said if you gain the weight they will not resubmit your papers. Looks as if I need to find a new surgeon. Just don't know who to use around the Longview area.

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
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