Working on being a new person in Houston

Thread Starter  

Hi - I'm Trish - I'm just in the beginning stages of this journey. I attended a seminar last week and have my first appointment next week. I have United Healthcare and am very nervous about getting approved. Any suggestions would be greatly appreicated. My BMI is 37-39.. depending on the scale! LOL I need to lose no less than 80 pounds and am hoping to get off of most of the meds I have to take.

Wake up now.. I'm through! :)

Welcome to LAP-BAND^® from another Texan. I had no problem with UHC. Never even talked with them. My doctors office handled it all. I guess it depends if your UHC has any exclusions.What part of Texas .:) :)

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Sallyjo
Dr. Felix Speigel
Houston, Texas
Banded April 25

I have UHC and had no problems either. In fact, I went to the seminar on Sept 2, 2005 and had my surgery on the 16th. My husband's "turn around" time was less than that......He went to the seminar on a Friday, had his UGI on Tuesday and surgery on Wed. We have UHC throuhg SBC/AT&T. Good luck with your new journey!

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Having teenagers is like being pecked to death by chickens!

5"8 Height
Banded Date: 9/16/05
Dr. Spivak, Houston, TX

Thread Starter  

That is so good to hear!! Thanks SallyJo & Dena... I'm in Houston as well and am very excited about this opportunity. I figure if it's meant to be.. then I'll be approved.. if not.. then it's the old duct tape the mouth diet!
Trish

Hi Trish, Rachel here. I just went to my seminar on June 15th in Portsmouth, NH. (I live in Maine, 2 hours away.) I contacted my insurance company and was told the first time that the lap banding was not a covered procedure. I called again and requested their written policy on weight loss surgery - according to it, I meet the criteria! So, if at first you don't succeed - try getting in their faces and request everything in writing! I am scheduled for my first appointment in less than a month. I am hoping to have the surgery around October. Best of luck to you!

Thread Starter  

Thanks Rachel...I'm pretty bull headed!! Best of luck to you with your surgery.. I'll keep you in my prayers!!!

Thread Starter  

Dena & SallyJo - does UHC make you spend months going through supervised diets, phy evaluations, etc??

I also have UHC. They didn't require any additional tests, etc. They didn't require anything from my PCP either. Let the doctor submit everything. THey will build the case. You probably need a few co-mortalities to get approved. They also submit how many diets, etc. you have been on in the past. Its the forms you fill out at the doctors seminar that get it for you.

Since you are in Houston you probably went to one of the well known ones. They know UHC and how to get it done, provided your policy doesn't have any exclusions.

Best of luck to you.

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Dr. Spiegel, Houston TX, 6/13/06
Starting over after EGD; many problems with fills
Fill 2.0 12/31/07

Thread Starter  

Thank you so much -you've made me feel so much better!!! I see you just had your surgery... I do hope you are feeling better and are doing well. Thanks again!!!!!!

I feel great. I have since the beginning. None of the usual complaints. I have the left shoulder issue, but nothing I can't handle. No pain meds. It was so much easier than I was expecting.

Good luck to you and hope you can get to bandland soon.

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Dr. Spiegel, Houston TX, 6/13/06
Starting over after EGD; many problems with fills
Fill 2.0 12/31/07

Hey, do you mind me asking what your health conditions are? I have UHC and when I called the doctors offices they said I would have to have two weight related health problems and/or be 100 + pounds overweight. They told me I would actually need to gain 10 more pounds for me to NOT have the health issues. Would you mind keeping me up on your situation. I did not think it sounded right to purposely gain 10 pounds to have a surgery. So, I am now looking at the Mexico cheaper route. Please let me know what your health care says and what doctor you are going to.

Thanks
Wild

Thread Starter  

Hi Wild - I have high blood pressure, pre-diabetic, sleep apnea, arthritis... boy if I was a horse - I'd been shot! LOL I had carpel tunnel surgery done last year and little did I know that condition is aggrivated by being overweight. From what I understand (and we'll find out) the blood pressure and pre-diabetic issue should do it for UHC. I've had a friend who went to Mexico for dental work and she was very pleased, I've just been a real chicken about going there. My appointment is with Dr. Wilkenfeld in Conroe next Thursday. LAP-BAND^® of Texas. If you need his number - let me know!

Texasgirl1965, Welcome from another fellow Texan! Let us know how your progress is going. I was self pay, my insurance had an exclusion for ANYTHING obesity related. Sounds like you may have insurance that will actually help you out! lol
Don't give up, whatever they say. This is a life changing event!!!
Terry:)

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:violin::horn:

Member of the Band !
287/235/170-ish
06/20/06 - Dr. Adam Smith, FW Texas
VG band
08/01/06 1st fill 3.0 cc
08/31/06 2nd fill - oops didn't ask how much!
10/03/06 3rd fill - still don't know how much
11/14/06 4th fill - 5.5 cc total
01/23/07 5th fill - 6. something total

Thread Starter  

Thanks Terry!! I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but I think it may be too late!! I am getting excited about it and really looking forward to a brighter future!! Hope you and everyone reading this have a great 4th of July!!!

Hi my name is Gretta... I have United Healthcare also.... I am going to start my approval process. I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Anyone know of a really good doctor in this area?

Thanks
Gretta