YellowRose

Dr. T gave me 3 fills in the first year. (remember the first years fills are part of your surgery)

Suebob, Yes I did use Dr. Turnquest last July and I have lost over 97 pounds since then. You will find fim a very caring man and everyone in his office is great. Send me a note to let me know how you liked him

HI Ya'll It has been a long time since I have been to the site, mostly because I have been so busy. I was banded on July 21, 2006 and I have lost 96 of the 200 lbs I want to lose. Lately, I have been stuck, and I was wondering if anyone has and tips to help me to get back on track of losing 2 to 3 lbs a week. Permantly with out them going up and down all the time. I have started back to Curves about three times a week and I can actually get thru my complete workout now. But any helps on getting back on track would be greatly appreciated. :help: Thanks

:success1: GOOD MORNING ALL ! ! Well I did it ! ! In fact that was one the the first thoughs when I woke from surgery yesterday I REALLY DID IT. ! ! ! I even peeked under the covers to see the incisions. Many thanks to you that have send messages of encouragements & :kiss2: A little sore this morning but too much pain, the only thing I am constantly thirsty. Can anyone send me a personal message and walk the thru adding a gage to my signature line? Chat with you later

I have wanted to have the Lap Band for 3 years. However the place where I worked was self insured and did not cover the procedure. So when I got this new job, I was relly happy to find out that they did cover it. I went to Dr. SPeigle's office on Saturday for a consultation, they had a sign that said he was no longer taking UHC for fills, nothing about the surgery. Well they called me yesterday and said that I was approved, however since he was no longer in net work I would have to pay him $4500.00 (that may as well have been the $15,000.00 cash price). When I got home I immediatly came here to ask for help, however I found a message from back in March, about asking UHC about a gap exception. They said they would pay his bills at in-network prices. Well when I called his office today to talk about it, I was told that he was not taking any UHC in network coverage. That was when I got mad. How can a doctor refuse a patient when they have insurance coverage. Can anyone let me know if there are any doctors in Houston that is taking the gap exception from UHC? I really want to have this procedure, so any :help: would appreciated :kiss2: Also does anyone know the doctors are getting out of UHC, they are one of the largest health care providers?

If any one is a UHC client and looking for a doctor that is still in network, try calling Dr. Dexter Turnquest. He is on Red Oak and his number is 281 444-8090. I spoke with Tiffany in his office and she was really helpful Just wanted to help my fellow searchers in the area

Grammy, I live in the Humble, I have not been banded yet, so I can not give you much support at this time. But when I do, maybe we can get together at Starbucks and share a green tea frappichino, don't think that we could handle one alone. I hope to hear from the doctor on Tuesday, and I am planning on having the procedure done on June 16th if it is a go. I have alot more that 50 pounds to lose, but it will be fun getting together with some one that is gogin thru the same thing. Chat with you later

Finallly ! ! ! I started my new job about a month ago. And this company will pay for the surgery (at least I have been told that they do). I went to see Dr. Speigal this morning for a consultation, and I hope to hear back from the office on Monday that the insurance will cover the procedure. I have been wanting this for over three years, and now it seem like it will finally come true. I am going to start working my crunches now to get my abdomen stronger. I have already started taking biotin to counter act the possible hair loss. My 50th b-day is next Feb. and I really want to try something that my hubby loves. I want to lose enough weight so that I can go skydiving with him Well, I'm rambling, but I am getting excited. So ladies and gents, please pray with me that I get good news on Monday.:kiss

Alison, Because of your message I googled Dr. Turnquest and liked what I read, then I went to see him on Thursday. He was so kind and human like, Actually sat down in a chair and talked to me as a person. Now I am waiting to hear back from UHC again. I was already approved thru Speigal, so hopefully it will go thru pretty easy. Thanks

Barbara, I have found a Dr. that still takes UHC. Is name is Dexter Turnquest located on Red Oak. When I went into his office on Thursday, he actually sat in a chair and talked to me. Asked me a couple of questions and since I have already learned so much about the procedure he was impressed. I asked about his experience with the Lap BAnd. He has been doing the surgery since 2002, but since he also has a medical practice and not a factory assembly line he usually only does 50 bands a year. But since the other Dr's have left UHC because of greed, he has already done 45 bands so far this year. I really liked Dr. Turnquest, he was really human like. Maybe you would want to look into chatting with him, before you pay out the $3,000.00+ at another doc that does not take the insurance.

DeLarla, Where was your picture taken. WE have land in Colorado and the scene looks familiar For Mike's 50th b-day last year we rented a Harley and and took a ride in the mountains. Now next year when I turn 50 and after I lose half me me, I will be able to something I have wanted to do with Mike for the last 5 years SKYDIVE ! ! ! And I look forward to our next motorcyle trip in the mountains, I know it will be more comfortable for both of us

Mini Me, Thanks for your kind thoughts. I went to see Dr. Turnquest this afternoon. I really liked him, I mean he actually sat down and talked to me. Made me feel like he really cares for me and not the money. Their office will be calling UHC tomorrow and hopefully I will be getting a call in the afternoon, I will get back with you this weekend.

I feel the same way. It seems like Dr. Speigel is making plenty of money. His billboards are all over town and when you Google lap band in Houston, his is the first name to pop up. He must me making plenty of money. To me it just speaks of greed on his part, and not wanting to help the people that honestly need what he can do.. I had a really nasty message I wanted to post, but realized that it not hurt him, and make me look bad ! ! But I am going to see Dr, Turnquest next Thursday and hopefully have the procedure not long after that

I'm ticked because yes I saw the sign about the fille, but when I asked about the procedure, the lady behind the glass told me that I would find out after they made the call to the insurance company. I seems that they already knew that they would not be accepted by UCH, but wanted to collect my $35.00 for 45 mile trip I made on a Saturday mornning. I mean when I called and set up the appointment, they took my insurance information at that time, they should have told me that they were no longer in network at that time. It would have spared me a lot of gas money

Mini Me Thanks, I did look in the old threads and got the name of Dr. Turnquest, called his office and he is still in-network for UHC. Got an appointment set to see him next Thursday. I really wanted to have the procedure on the Friday of Memorial day weekend, but as ling as I can get it done soon I will be real happy. Have a blessed day ! ! !

My former employer was self insured, but processed thru UHC. The employer did not carry the weight loss surgery. Other wise I would have had the surgery a year ago. I am praying that my new employer carries the coeverage.

Hey, I have a couple of questions. First What is BMI? I am over 300#'s and have hypothyroidism and growth hormone deficiency, both of which are a major cause to my obesity. I also have sleep apnea and arthritis, will I be able to get approved for the surgery?

Earlier today I was reading another thread where there were comments about hair loss. I have hypothyrodism which has made my hair thin. I have not been banded yet. Does anyone know of anything that I can start now before surgery that will help me keep the hair (and maybe help grow some more) before I have surgery:omg: Would greatly appreciate any help with this.

Thanks for this info. I bought some biotin yesterday, and learned a valuable lesson. Do not take this at night. I was awake all night.:tired

:help: I am in the process of changing jobs and have a question for anyone that possibly works for Chase Bank or Sterling Bank. Do you know if their insurance covers the Lap Band surgery.

I originally went to Dr. Felix for the seminar, but I live in Humble and would like to find a Dr. on the North side of town, and preferabbly one with evening or weekend appointments. I have heard of a Dr. that works out of the Methodist hospital at Willowbrook area. Does anyone know of him or have any suggestions?

Happy K, Yes please send me Dr. St. Laurent's number. And thanks for the referral, I will check into this.

Now that I am seriously thinking about getting banded, my husband is giving me a lot of grief about it. To give him a lot of credit, he had quit smoking and drinking. With smoking he used the gum, and with drinking he wnet cold turkey. It was not fun living with him during this time but together we made it thru. In my case I have Hypothyroidism and a growth hormone deficiency, both which have contributed to my weight. I am 49 years old and well over 300 #'s and have tried all kinds of things, Weight Watchers (I don't like counting my food) Atkins and the worst of all Metabolife. I actually lost over 70 #'s this way, but when I had my last miscarriage I found out that it messed up my thyroid more that it already was and had to stop. I have already told him that I am going to have this surgery if my new employers insurance covers it. It is my body and health that I am concerned about. I want to loose this weight before I get any of the problems from being over weight He thinks I just need to quit eating as much. He has a high metobolism and losing weight is easy for him. He does not relize that it is just not eating as much that is the problem with me.:rolleyes Please help me explain this to him so that he will start giving me support and not hassles. WE have been married over 31 years and I know that if I can get him to work with me on this it will make the journey to a new me a lot easier Thanks

I was reading one of the threads, and there was a bunch of comments about hair loss. I have hypothyroidism and my hair is real thin from that. I have not been banded yet. So does anyone know something I can do starting now that will help me keep the hair I have now, before surgery.:paranoid

I am in the process of changing jobs, and I was wondering if anyone out there works for Chase Bank or Sterling Bank iin Houston and if so do you know if their insurance covers the lap band surgery