dianam

I was banded by Dr. Spiegel on April 27th. Things have gone really well so far. I am really sticking to his instructions and I feel great. I have lost 11lbs so far. I feel like I am on a new journey and extremely excited about it. It occured to me that I have been overweight for so many years that I don't remember how if feels to be a normal size. I can't wait!!!!

Thanks for the positive feedback. My husband phoned them for me earlier today. The lady in the office was really nice and said she would call the insurance company today and try to get them to fax over the approval. (I'm too chicken to call myself) Oh - the waiting is awful. I am counting on this so much! If it doesn't work out, I will be terribly disappointed. So, do you feel pretty much back to normal now? How is the liquid diet going?

My husband and I went to see Dr. Spiegel last Saturday. I thought his seminar was very good. I liked him a lot and so did my husband. I also like the fact that all he does is lapbands now. He was very friendly and his staff was great. We have talked to his office a couple of times since then and they have been very nice and helpful. We are waiting for UHC to switch their approval from Spivak to Spiegel. I would have waited for Spivak if I could, but they did not offer much hope that he would change his mind. UHC sent me a letter stating that they will pay 100% of my surgery. Spivak and UHC just don't agree on what $$ 100% is. I just don't have the $5,000 up front that Spivak wants. I don't see any way of getting the funds any time soon (next year or so) either. In the meantime - my health continues to decline. I think Dr. Spiegel will be a good surgeon. He told me he is not a hand-holder. He goes for results and having the lapband will be more like boot-camp. My hubby and daughter will do the hand holding.

I have UHC also and was scheduled to have surgery with Dr. Spivak. I was so upset when they called and asked for $5000. The only reason I am getting to have the surgery is because my insurance pays 100%. I understand the dr changing his insurance acceptance on new patients - but it just does not seem fair when you are all ready to have your procedure. I am consulting with Dr. Spiegel on Saturday. I hope I can get my band before anything else happens.

:omg: I am a prebander here. I'm sitting here at work reading some of the board and laughing myself crazy. People are staring at me and want me to share the funny email they think I'm reading... Strawarts, thank you for sharing your most horrifying experience. I already know I don't chew my food well. Reading your post has scared the h--- out of me. I didn't understand what a PB was and have not heard of the "golfball". I read someone's idea about the 2 minute rule. I think I'll try it. Now I'm scared to death. Please someone tell me that they still think its all worth while!!!

I called Dr. Spiegel's office the other day and explained what happened at Dr. Spivak's. They had received similar phone calls from several others. The people on the phone seemed very friendly. We are going to one of his seminars tomorrow and a consultation visit. Dr. Spiegel is going on vacation April 1st. He will be gone until April 22nd. She said they would be glad to have me as a patient and are trying to get me in for surgery in the next week or so, so I won't have to wait until he comes back. I really liked Dr. Spivak and I'm disappointed in not using him, but hopefully I will like Dr. Spiegel also. Can anyone tell me anything about him?

I am sitting here on the verge of tears. I just called Dr. Spivak's office and they want $5,000 from me too. I just don't have it. I just went for my upper GI yesterday and had my blood work done last week. I don't understand how they can do this when they have already agreed to do the surgery. I have a letter from their office congratulating me that my insurance had been approved, like it was a done-deal. I really wanted to use Dr. Spivak because I thought he was the best. I am so upset, I have felt like this was my last chance to get healthy.

I had my consult with Dr. Spivak on the 17th. They really make things work out so smoothly. I am very blessed, my insurance is paying 100% or I would not be able to have the surgery. I have some pre-op tests to do next week, then we will go back to the insurance company for a surgery date. I am scared sometimes and really excited other times. I just want this done so I can start loosing weight. I have been on every diet imaginable, just lie everyone else. I always seem to loose a little weight, but I don't have the willpower to keep it off. I am hoping the band will give me what I need to keep it going. I too, believe that knowing that some friends and relatives are watching me will help me stay working with my band. It would be awful to go through all this and not come out a success story! I really want to be a great success story!:confused:

Thank you Heather. I did a lot of reading yesterday. Some of the stuff I read scares me to death. I thought the seminar was really informative but I've read about some problems that could come up that I have not heard of before. I have started making a list of questions. Part of me is really excited and the other part of me is scared. I guess this is normal?!?

Hello All! I went to Dr. Spivak's seminar last night. He was not available. A girl named Bobbie gave the seminar. I was totally scared of everything until the seminar, but now I feel really positive. I have my first appointment with Spivak on the 17th. I hope he will do the surgery. I have a BMI of 40 and I'm a diabetic. I called my insurance company today and they do cover the surgery if I match the criteria. I don't know what the criteria is yet. We were told that United Healthcare was a good company to have. I'm glad to read all the great feedback on Spivak. :typing: