Wanted to post this on the Texas board, too.

[whitt_hunting 0]

Newbie located just north of Houston - Lots of Questions

I am considering the surgery. Have been researching the different types and trying to make up my mind for a couple of years.:confused:

I currently have HMO Blue of TX and am wondering how that will work out for me. Anyone with experience on that one? The good news is that I can change my insurance carrier each fall.

I am considering a couple of doctors - if they take my insurance. Dr. Spivak and Dr. Robert Marvin with Obesity Surgery Specialists in Houston.

I spent a lot of time thinking I wanted the Duodenal Switch, but then decided that I should try the least invasive procedure to start - and hopefully it will work for me. We'll see...

I have been overweight since I was born. :baby:9 lbs 11 1/2 ozs. Went to a weight loss doctor several years back - did the lose and gain back thing...:phanvan I am currently flirting with 300 lbs at the age of 48. I have had rheumatoid arthritis since I was 27 and suffer from a "relaxed esophagus," which I am told is sometimes a side affect of the rheumatoid.

For those of you that don't know - rheumatoid arthritis is not an arthritis - it is an autoimmune disease. Don't know if the relaxed esophagus issue will be a stumbling block for the procedure or not. I do know that the medications I take for the rheumatoid - as well as the rheumatoid itself - can retard the healing process.

Well, there's my book. Look forward to reading the input from all of you. Thanks, Bobbi.

[paula 4]

Hi Bobbie, and WELCOME to our home... glad to have you! :biggrin1:

Have you gone to any group meetings for either doctor?

Thats a great way of finding the right surgeon - AND getting good info (espeically knowing about your relaxed esophagus problem).

Good luck - and again...

WELCOME!

[whitt_hunting 0]

Thanks for the advice. As I mentioned, I have done a lot of research - but have really just decided to have the lap band as opposed to any of the other procedures.

Now that I've decided on which procedure, it is a perfect time to do as you suggested. I'm sure they'll tell me at the meetings whether they have been successful with my insurance carrier...

Thanks and I would be interested in hearing your lap band story. I just went to the Northside Bandsters meeting in The Woodlands this past Thursday, but I was unable to visit for very long.

Bobbi

[banded_for_life 2]

Welcome to LBT!

[NCottrell 0]

Hi i am from Houston, I am very disappointed this morning and I really need some help from you all. My insurance is with United Healthcare

I received my approval from United Healthcare. All things were in order

with Dr.Spivak office., I went throught all my pre op testing. now this morning I called to schedule my surgery and I cant do it because UHC

has changed their co payment by $5,000. I am at a lost this morning.

I really like Dr. Spivak and his staff . I called UHC this morning and raised

all kinds of hell. I am planning on sending Texas state Insurance Board a letter as well. Dr. Spivak office is considering dropping UHC what do I DOOO!!!!!

[mrycrltn 2]

Hang in there and see what happens. My UHC didn't pay any of mine. I was self pay. It was all worth it.

I love the band. It has helped me so much. Better than anything else I have ever tried. And, I have tried alot.

[dolphin_dreams 0]

Welcome to the board. The band is a wonderful tool and this is a great place to find information.

[marebear 0]

Hi, Bobbi,

Welcome to the board. Dr. Marvin did my banding on December 26, 2005 and I have been very pleased with the results. His seminars are on Tuesday nights and Saturday morning. They are wonderful.

Mary

[ReneBean 3]

Howdy, Bobbi!!

Welcome!

Good luck with the whole process!

[paula 4]

Hi i am from Houston, I am very disappointed this morning and I really need some help from you all. My insurance is with United Healthcare

I received my approval from United Healthcare. All things were in order

with Dr.Spivak office., I went throught all my pre op testing. now this morning I called to schedule my surgery and I cant do it because UHC

has changed their co payment by $5,000. I am at a lost this morning.

I really like Dr. Spivak and his staff . I called UHC this morning and raised

all kinds of hell. I am planning on sending Texas state Insurance Board a letter as well. Dr. Spivak office is considering dropping UHC what do I DOOO!!!!!

Try starting a NEW thread with this info. You'll probably get more feedback if you do it that way.

good luck fighting your way through "insurance hell".