Chris61

Sorry to hear about your setback. I wish you the best of luck next week and hope that the doctor will do both at the same time for you. This might take some time but I bet if you go back through your medical records of all the doctors you have been to you could get all the information they are looking for, I would also have each doctor do a letter talking about your diets etc. Chris

Congradulations on the amount you have lost so far. I have been banded for almost 9 months and have lost 50+ and hope to get a fill in two weeks. I go to the doctor next week. The last time I went to the doctor he felt that I and the wife was fine. He could have done a fill but was a fraid that we would be back for an unfill. I can tell now that I need a fill. When you go next week I would ask him for a fill and then make sure he takes the fluid out and make sure you do not have a leak. He will know how much was in the band from the last fill. I would also ask him if he can do it under live x-ray to ensure the band is in good position and also to make sure that you are tight but not to tight that you have to come back for a fill. I would also ask him if their is someone closer to you that you could use for fills. We have been seeing are doctor about every 6-8 weeks. Also I would keep a list of things you are eating and talk to some people about it. Also I would try and get your family to buy into helping you and not being negative all the time. Also is there anyone else in the area that has been banded that you can work with and talk to. Allways remember we are here for you. If you have any questions just e-mail me. Chris

I have been very pleased since the band. I have only had two flare ups. One was right after sugery and then a few months later. I do watch the spices and some foods that have caused me problems in the past. Iam also on Allpurnol and take it everyday. Other wise I was having the attacks more often. Chris

You will do just fine. The big thing to keep in mind is to eat slowly and not to drink. I have not really had a problem with chewing of the food like a lot of people talk about. I have slimed and bp several time but that was because I eat to fast. Not drinking while eating has been a challenge for me as well. You might not notice anything the first couple of fills. It took to the third fill for me. I will be going in a couple of weeks for another fill and know Iam ready for it. Chris

Looks like everyone is out ridding bikes since it is nice in some areas of the country and do not have enough time in the day to everything. Hard to ride the bike and read the internet at the same time. Chris

THe storms and spring rains have been holding me up from ridding. Hope to get started this week if we do not get rain like we have had over the last month. Chris

I think that it is a great idea. My wife and I did this togehter. My sister-in-law did it also. We support each other and that helps the most. We have other support but most people do not say anything or we get praises of how we look. I would not let other people get in your way with this. I did not tell my side of the family that I have done this for many reasons. We will be a year out in Sept. and have both done great. Have you thought about being banded also? I hope that this helps you out. Good luck with your partner and she getting the band. Chris

Welcome to the group. I would suggest you take time and read a lot of the post on here their is a lot of good information. If you have any specifice questions just ask away. My wife and I have been banded for almost 9 months and I have lost almost 50+ lbs. One thing I would do is call your insurance company and see if they cover this and what is required. Then get all your medical records together and go and meet the doctor you would like to have the lapband done by. It took us about 9 months from when we first started getting things in place. Once we meet the doctor we were banded in less than 45 days. I hope that this helps you out. Chris

Thanks for the infor cosmo24. I was banded back in Sept. of 07 and had a fill in Oct. and later that week went flying and did not have a problem. It is amazing how everyone is differant with the band. We go to the see the doctor in a couple of weeks and hope to get another fill. I can tell that Iam ready for another one. Hope everyone is doing well and adjusting to new lifestyles. Chris

Why not go to your other doctors you see like your OBGYN and have them do a letter to the band doctor. My wife had the same problem with here doctor he did a letter but would not put all the information that was needed said that we had to go back to the doctors and get approval. His reason was due to HIPPA even though he was in charge of the medical file that had the information. So we just went to her OBGYN and had him do the same letter with all the stuff ans faxed it to the band doctor and he sent it to the insurance company and was approved within 15 minutes. The rest is history. We both have been banded for almost 9 months and doing well. We go in a couple of weeks and I will get another fill for sure. Have not had a fill since January.

Congradulations to all on the loss. Iam and the wife are doing well also. Hope the weather will clear so we can get out and do more excerise etc. I am really ready for it. We see Dr. Minkin in about 3 weeks and I can tell that I am ready for another fill. Jamie you are doing great! What are you doing to make this happen? Chris

Good Luck with everything. Let's know how it goes and hope everyone is on time. Dr. Minkin had me done in less than 45 minutes. Chris

Congradulations and good luck. You will be in good hands with Dr. Minkin. My wife and are very pleased with the results so far. Doing so much more than before. Chris:thumbup:

I did not take the machine to the hospital. They said that they had once but never brought to me to use. I guess they were not that concerened about it. However I was up on and off most of the night with walking etc. so I doubt it would have done me any good. Everyone is differant keep that in mind also. Good luck. Chris

Bandfan1 I hope that you are doing well with your CPAP machine. I got mine 3 weeks before surgery. I had the nose item and had a lot of problems with it the first few months with the band. I think part was do to the stting on the machine. I did notice that I swallowed a lot of air. But Iam 7 months now and doing a lot better. The machine is at the lowest setting of 4 and most time Iam at 7.5 to 8.0. Went from a setting of 12. I also now have a dental retainer called the herbest appliance and do not have to use the machine as much. I have found that I am getting more time on the machine now when I wear the device. I have gone from 2 hours a day to almost 4 hours. One thing I have notice now is that I burp and toot a lot. I hope this helps you out. Good luck next week with getting your band. it will be one of the best things you have done for yourself. I was at peace with myself when I went into surgery and had no problems. Chris

I would suggest you have them write or you write the letter and have them send in your weights to your PCP Doctor and explain how often you came and what you did there etc. Then have you PCP doctor write a letter to the lapband doctor explain your complete medical history and all the diet plans you have done. I can forward you a letter that I had used to get approved by UHC. Now keep in mind everyone insurance is differant so this may or maynot help. Chris

Glad to see that you got approved. Just like things in life, everything is differant and including insurance. I was surpised how quickley I was approved with UHC. I was done within less than 30 days. I will say it took me about 4-6 months to get it all in line and ready for the doctor to submit. This will be one of the many best things you have done for your self. Chris

I am 7 months out and still burp. Not like I used to the first few months. I also had the a problem with getting to much air in from my CPAP machine. But as time has been going on I notice that I do not have as much gas and burping like I was. I think it just takes time for the body to adjust with your new funnel. Chris

I would suggest you try for approval. If you have everything in the letter and all your issues etc. address you should not have a problem. Most have to let you know within 30 days. What is your company policy do they allow it or not? While you are doing this you can talk witht he doctor and hosp about his prices and then go from there. The letter my wife and I used along with the doctors stuff we were approved in less than 30 days. Also keep in mind that if insurance does not pay all or a little you can ded 7.5% of agi at the end of the year with your taxes. So you might get some money back and payoff the loan that much faster. If you would like to see the letter e-mail me your address and I will forward it to you. Chris

I had the same problem. However I was able to find some old records that was beyond five years and that work. Also you can put a thing in there about you could not obtain records from all other doctors because they no longer have your file. Also you can use your OBGYN records as yell. We had problems with my wife pcp in regards to past weights etc. His excuse was HIPPA. So we just went to the OBGYN and had them do the same letter and she was approved within 20 minutes after it was resubmitted by the doctors office. If you would like to see the letter send me your e-mail and I will forward it to you. We both were approved in less than 30 days. I hope that this will help you out. Chris

I doubt that you will have much luck with appeal if it is on not on the list. A few years ago I had the same problem and then I happen to go back and relook at the plan and say that it was changed. I would talk to HR and also send a letter to your company president asking to make changes to there plan. Might even try and get a wrtting campain to get the companyto change. Chris

I found out last June that I had sleep apena and started using the CPAP machine about a month before being banded. I had a pressure setting of 12 and now down to a 7. I have lost close to 50lbs since being banded 6 months ago. I have been having problems with to much air etc. along with not wearing the mask the whole night. I talked to the doctor about it and he suggested that we try using a dental device instead. Insurance approved me for the device and I have started to use it and it is great. Here are pictures of the device. The dentist who deals only with sleep apnea feels that this device will work for me and that she wants to do a sleep study in about 4-6 months to ensure that it is working. If it is working then I will not need to use the CPAP. <TABLE class=tabfolder cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=tabfoldertitle><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=tabtitlerow><TD class=tabtitlespace align=right width="99%"></TD></TR><TR class=tabtitlerow><TD colSpan=2></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabfoldercontent style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; PADDING-TOP: 5px"><!-- photosgrid table --><TABLE class=photogrid cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><!-- type = image2 --><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; PADDING-TOP: 5px" vAlign=bottom align=left width="50%"><TABLE class=photopanel cellSpacing=0 width="100%" border=0 cellpaddind="0"><TBODY><TR><TD class=thumbnail noWrap><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=image vAlign=center align=middle width=98 height=98> </TD><TD class=savetolinks vAlign=top noWrap width="99%">Scan and Save to Computer</NOBR> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=imageinfo noWrap colSpan=2>Herbst_anterior_close_up.jpg (651k) [View] </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><!-- type = image2 --><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; PADDING-TOP: 5px" vAlign=bottom align=left width="50%"><TABLE class=photopanel cellSpacing=0 width="100%" border=0 cellpaddind="0"><TBODY><TR><TD class=thumbnail noWrap><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=image vAlign=center align=middle width=98 height=98> </TD><TD class=savetolinks vAlign=top noWrap width="99%">Scan and Save to Computer</NOBR> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=imageinfo noWrap colSpan=2>HErbst_elastic_holder_buried.jpg (525k) [View] </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><!-- type = image2 --><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; PADDING-TOP: 5px" vAlign=bottom align=left width="50%"><TABLE class=photopanel cellSpacing=0 width="100%" border=0 cellpaddind="0"><TBODY><TR><TD class=thumbnail noWrap><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=image vAlign=center align=middle width=98 height=98> </TD><TD class=savetolinks vAlign=top noWrap width="99%">Scan and Save to Computer</NOBR> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=imageinfo noWrap colSpan=2>Herbst_heavy_hardware_side.jpg (548k) [View] </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><!-- type = image2 --><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; PADDING-TOP: 5px" vAlign=bottom align=left width="50%"><TABLE class=photopanel cellSpacing=0 width="100%" border=0 cellpaddind="0"><TBODY><TR><TD class=thumbnail noWrap><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=image vAlign=center align=middle width=98 height=98> </TD><TD class=savetolinks vAlign=top noWrap width="99%">Scan and Save to Computer</NOBR> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=imageinfo noWrap colSpan=2>HErbst_heavy_Herner.jpg (618k) [View] </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tabfolder cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=tabfoldertitle><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=tabtitlerow><TD class=tabtitlefield noWrap height=15 rowSpan=2>Photos: </TD><TD vAlign=top> </TD><TD class=tabtitlespace align=right width="99%"></TD></TR><TR class=tabtitlerow><TD colSpan=2></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabfoldercontent style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; PADDING-TOP: 5px"><!-- photosgrid table --><TABLE class=photogrid cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><!-- type = image2 --><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; PADDING-TOP: 5px" vAlign=bottom align=left width="50%"><TABLE class=photopanel cellSpacing=0 width="100%" border=0 cellpaddind="0"><TBODY><TR><TD class=thumbnail noWrap><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=image vAlign=center align=middle width=98 height=98> </TD><TD class=savetolinks vAlign=top noWrap width="99%">Scan and Save to Computer</NOBR> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=imageinfo noWrap colSpan=2>HErbst_Chris_Walters_2008_front.jpg (701k) [View] </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><!-- type = image2 --><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; PADDING-TOP: 5px" vAlign=bottom align=left width="50%"><TABLE class=photopanel cellSpacing=0 width="100%" border=0 cellpaddind="0"><TBODY><TR><TD class=thumbnail noWrap><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=image vAlign=center align=middle width=98 height=98> </TD><TD class=savetolinks vAlign=top noWrap width="99%">Scan and Save to Computer</NOBR> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=imageinfo noWrap colSpan=2>HErbst_Chris_Walters_2008_front_1.jpg (689k) [View] </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><!-- type = image2 --><TR><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; PADDING-TOP: 5px" vAlign=bottom align=left width="50%"><TABLE class=photopanel cellSpacing=0 width="100%" border=0 cellpaddind="0"><TBODY><TR><TD class=thumbnail noWrap><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=image vAlign=center align=middle width=98 height=98> </TD><TD class=savetolinks vAlign=top noWrap width="99%">Scan and Save to Computer</NOBR> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>So far the dental device seems to be working. Chris </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

I would go to your doctor and have him or your cpap provider download all the information about what you have been doing and then talk to him about changing the sttings. THe first few weeks with the band I found that I had a lot of air and would burp all the time with the CPAP. So I talked with my doctor and reviewed the data and also tols him I was having problems keeping it on and he said the dental device would work. So the rest is history. If you have any questions just e-mail or ask. Chris

I talked with my doctor and explained to him the problems that I was having and he authorized a change in the settings on the machine. He also downloaded my readings and reviewed them and saw that an adjustment would be good. I go and see him in May and will download again and see what it shows with the dental device. I have not had much problem with the jaw etc. The dentist has me make minor adjustments twice a week, plus I go back once a month for her to review my progress for the next 6 months. I will probbly have a sleep study in August or Sept. That would be one year with the CPAP and the band. Chris

sleep Apena NSV I found out last June that I had sleep apena and started using the CPAP machine about a month before being banded. I had a pressure setting of 12 and now down to a 7. I have lost close to 50lbs since being banded 6 months ago. I have been having problems with to much air etc. along with not wearing the mask the whole night. I talked to the doctor about it and he suggested that we try using a dental device instead. Insurance approved me for the device and I have started to use it and it is great. Here are pictures of the device. The dentist who deals only with sleep apnea feels that this device will work for me and that she wants to do a sleep study in about 4-6 months to ensure that it is working. If it is working then I will not need to use the CPAP. Scan and Save to Computer Herbst_anterior_close_up.jpg (651k) [View] Scan and Save to Computer HErbst_elastic_holder_buried.jpg (525k) [View] Scan and Save to Computer Herbst_heavy_hardware_side.jpg (548k) [View] Scan and Save to Computer HErbst_heavy_Herner.jpg (618k) [View] Photos: Scan and Save to Computer HErbst_Chris_Walters_2008_front.jpg (701k) [View] Scan and Save to Computer HErbst_Chris_Walters_2008_front_1.jpg (689k) [View] Scan and Save to Computer So far the dental device seems to be working. Chris