Dustmouse

Congratulations!!! My husband was also just approved, but it was a fight in our case. CIGNA originally denied the surgery. It took about a year to get it all in order and we just received word he is approved!

We live in the Tomball area. My husband just got approved through CIGNA after a long wait, but we don't have a date yet. He is seeing Dr. Turnquest. I think I'm more nervous than he is!

Just wondering if there is a way to report an inappropriate post to the mods. I've see a few uninvited guests around lately leaving unwelcome posts. I know the moderators are always on the look out, but is there a way to give them a heads up?

Just back from an appointment with the Dietician/Nutrionist this afternoon and now I have major doubts! I have done a ton of research, but she really emphasized what a MAJOR lifestyle change being banded is and now I'm waffling big time! She gave me a tennis ball and told me that it's size was relative to the amount of food that I will ever be able to put into my tummy at one time. I'm ok with that, but she somehow made it sound like total deprivation. She said between eating small meals every two hours and drinking 8 glasses of Water, you'd pretty much be doing one or the other all day long! It sounds EXTREMELY regimented and unflexible. She recommended going on a post band diet now for one month to see if I could handle it. I don't think I can.....

I think you may be right about her being more familiar with Bypass. She talked about dumping and I thought that was primarily a bypass issue not a Band issue. She also said you should eat protein with every meal, especially if there is a carb involved. While this sounds like a good rule of thumb, with her it sounded like an absolute. Like you can't just eat some fruit alone or oatmeal alone or anything else for the matter! She is NOT the nutritionist the surgeon recommended. For some reason, I thought the dietician and the surgeon might be in kahoots and a disinterested third party might be better. Wrong answer! Funny thing, she said the same thing. Specifically, you can read all about going through labor and delivery but until you actually do it, you don't really know what it's like. Well, I feel like trying to eat Bandster quantities pre-band is about like carrying around a flour sack baby for a day. It's not the same! I dream of that! I think it would be so liberating to not be focused on food all of the time. Thanks to everyone who took time to reply. It is so helpful to hear from you guys!!!

Howdy from Houston! My hubby and I are in the pre-insurance approval phase, so it will be some time and million questions before our turn is up. Welcome to the boards and I look forward to sharing info with a fellow Texan! Go Astros!

How was your week SD?

Hate to hijak this thread but I was about to post on the same subject.... My insurance specifies "Active participation within the last one to two years in one physician-directed weight-management program for a minimum of six months without any significant gaps. The weight-management program must include monthly documentation of ALL of the following: -vital signs, including weight -current dietary program -physical activity -behavioral interventions to reinforce healthy eating and exercise -consideration of pharmocotherapy" It goes on to state that programs like Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig alone do not meet the requirement. I saw my PCP today and he is very supportive. I don't mind visiting him every month for six months, but the BIG QUESTION is what kind of diet am I supposed to be on??? If I go on my own diet and report to him monthly, is that enough. Should I join Weight Watchers for the fourth time and confer with him about that. Ugh, I just don't know what to do next.

SuperDaddy, Isn't it funny how you posted out of a feeling of failure and have now become an inspiration?! Thank you for being brave and honest about your situation. My husband and I have both just begun our journey toward insurance approval and I am spending hours researching the successes and failures of people with the band. The successes seem so glamorous and the failures so familiar. Stay true to your God, your family and yourself and I believe He will provide you the desires of your heart. With Joy! Mary Beth

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I'm also very interested in your experience with Dr. Spiegel. My husband and I both had a consultation with him last night and we're trying to decide if he's a fit for us. If you don't feel comfortable posting here, you can email me. I'd appreciate your input.

UGH is a new hospital on Fannin in the Medical Center. I have not been there, but I've heard good things and I know Dr. Spivak practices there as well.

Discussion forums are SO awesome and I'm thrilled to have found this one! My husband and I are just beginning our journey towards banding. He is 51 with a BMI of 50+ and I am 35 with a BMI of 43. We are excited about the possibilities of the band but overwhelmed by how to get things moving. We both attended Dr. Speigel's seminar and are scheduled for Dr. Spivak's next week. We are covered by an HMO that will pay for the procedure if medically necessary. They do require a 6 month weight loss plan attempt, mental health check up and nutritional counseling. So, do you get your PCP to start writing out referrals to all of them including your surgeon? Or does the surgeon coordinate any of that? Also, I could very well slip below a 40 BMI on a 6 month diet, so then are you not covered for the procedure? Oh, one more....are there any couples out there that have both been banded at or around the same time? Thanks in advance!

It's great to hear good news about University General and Dr Speigel. Thanks for sharing!