Chris61

Glad to see that you are doing well at 5 years. I will be two years next month and Iam down almost 70lbs. Have not gained anything back. I hope to go for a fill next month since it has been a while since I had one. Chris

Did they say that it had to be 5 years in a row or just 5 years. I had some odd dates and was approved. I can forward you the letter that I used to get approved 2 years ago. The wife had problems with her letter because of her on doctor and so we went to her OBGYN and he did the same letter and faxed it in and was approved. Not really sure what the problem was. Good luck and if you have any questions just ask. Chris

I have UHC and was right on the boder of 39-40 and was approved. Did you give them all the information like fives years of weight, number of diets and how you did? Medical history showing what you have had over five years, and then what about family problems? Also did you make a list of issues that you might have such as hypertension pre, pre diabetic, back and knee problems, what is the doctor putting into the letter? Also you could put a letter in the doctors packet that he sends in expalining why you are wishing to have this. Also did your primary car doctor support you with this? My wife had that problem but we went to her OBGYN and he did the exact same letter and she was approved in no time. Once the stuff is submitted it will take about 30 days to get approval? I would ask the doctor how they send the letters in to UHC. They may fax it or send it by snail mail. Good luck with things. If you would like to see the letter that I used and was approved with I can e-mail it to you so that you have an idea of what should be in there. Chris

If you get in for a fill I would ask them to pull out all the fluid and see how much is there. hhave them put it back in and adjust with more fluid. Also they might want to do an x-ray to make sure the band is in the right position before they give you a fill. Good luck we are all here to help and support you. Chris

My wife and I had my approval within 30 days. We had a hickup on her paper work but got it resolved and she was approved with in 15 minutes. They have up to 30 day s to approved once they get the stuff from the doctor. I would ask the doctor if they faxed it to UHC or sent it by snail mail? This should then give you an idea as to when you should call. If you have any questions just ask. Chris:thumbup:

I would not worry about the day to day wiegh since Water has a lot to do with the changes. I would weigh myself when I went to doctors for a check up. I would check everyonce in a while on a scale but I wanted the doctors office to be the offical since all scales are differant. I once had 2 weigh in at doctors the same day and I was off like 5 lbs. so they had to find another scale. Glad to see everyone doing well. I will be 2 years in Sept. and now iam holding at 175 which is great. Been many years since I have been at that. Chris

I will be two (2) years in Sept. Iam down over 80 lbs. I was 250+. Just got blood test back from the doctor and all my levels are in the normal range. Have not had any problems with my gout and BP is normal also. Clothes wise Iam down to a 34-36 depending on brand etc. Also off of CPAP as well. I do use it sometimes but not all the time now. Had a sleep study a year ago and everything was normal with that as well. Chris

I guess everyone is being busy with biking this summer and not have time to chat here like they did last summer. Been wet and cool up here in CT. and have not had much chance to ride. Hope to get back this week if it stops raining. Chris

I used to have gout and had high levels. Since I have had the band my levels are normal now. I just had blood work done and doctor said I did not need to take allpournal. I found that most of my attacks was because of seanings being used in the foods. I have been eating fish a lot and chicken and have not had any problems. If you have any more questions just ask. Chris

I will be 2 years in Sept. Plus there is a mens room in here as well. Any questions just ask us guys. Best thing I did for myself. Chris

I will be 2 years in Sept. The best thing I did. If you have any questions just ask. Chris

Why is she against it for you? Is it because of the bypass? That is a whole differant deal. I would start with bringing her to the meetings and letting her ask questions and talk to others. My wife and I are 2 years out and doing well with it. Just came from the doctor and all my blood levels are in line. 2 years ago that was not the case. Iam down to 175 from a high of 250. and been at that point for a while now. Any questions just ask. We are here to support everyone. Chris

Thats good to here. Glad to see that you are doing well Juli and that you are getting back to normal. Chris

You increase the fuel miles on your car or truck because of less weight. You medical costs go down and insurance does down as well.

Do you have your letter saying that they approved the surgery? Did they say what part of the bill they are not paying since there is a lot of bills with it? I wonder if someone used the wrong billing/procedure codes? I would ask for more details from UHC and then talk with all the doctors offices that deals with the billing and see what happens. Good Luck with things any questions just ask. Chris

Trying to figure out what size of clothes to by like should I get a med or large. Also when you are almost able to wear the same size as the teenagers in the house and you get the laundary all mixed up. Have a great 4th. Chris

Sure is hard to buy clothes now. ANy where from a 32-36 depending on who makes it. Very true about the belt. They say you should go up a size and have notice it is usally to large. Even notice my feet are smaller also. Chris

Welcome to the group and glad that you are doing well. Iam in East Haven and would be glad to e-mail and chat with you about the band. SOunds like your clothes could be causing problems with your port. I had that problem for about a week. I had a slight infection and got it taken care of right away. Just ask away, we are all here to help. If you go to the CT under the states there is a very large group of people willing to help as well. Chris

Welcome back. I was banded in Sept. of 07 as well. Were here to help you out. Just e-mail if you wish. Sounds like you have had some issues with the band etc. Even to be down 27 lbs that is great. Keep up the good work. Chris

It is one of the best things that I have done for myself. Many of the issues that I had, sleep Apena, High Blood Pressure have all gone away. I still have sleep apena but I do not have to use the machine and/or dental device. However I still use it once or twice a week. I do feel a lot better and able to do a lot more things than I have before. One thing I will say and you will notice on here is that everyone is differant on how much, fast etc. they loose the weight and keep it off. This is for you and your self and no one else. I can say that my New Years resoulation that I have been able to keep for the last 2 years and that was to loose weight and keep it off. I think a lot of people can atest to that. If you have any questions or need help with a letter just ask. I have some examples that you can use. Chris

Also keep in mind that when you now drink and eat it is a lot less and the body asborbs more at one time. I have noticed that I used to be able to drink about 4 long Island teas and now I can only do one before I have to stop. Chris

I had my machine about a month before I got the band and did not have any problems before hand or at the hosp. I happen to forgot the machine at the time of surgery and they had a machine for me to use. They did not seem to be to concern with me not using it. Everyone is differant. After a year with the band I had a new sleep study and was told I did not need to use the machine and the dental device would do just fine and that I did not have to use it everyday. Chris

Why not take him with you to the doctor and have him ask questions. You might also see about going to a support group metting and let him here from all the other people that have been banded. Iam almost 2 years out and it is the best thing I have done. I have learned how to cut way back on the amount of food I used to eat at one setting. I also learned to eat slower becuase if you eat fast it might not stay in. Also tell him that you are not looking at plastic surgery etc. for a very long time. This is not something that will happen overnight. It will take a while. If you have any questions just ask. Chris

If you e-mail your address, I can send you a copy of the letter that I used for both the band doctor and insurance. I will say that it will take a while to get all your medical information into on letter. I happen to have files at a lot of differant doctors and I even had to go to a couple of offices and look it up and write the letter for the doctor to just type and send. Chris

Iam down to 175 and gone from 40-42 size down to 34-36.