Bigtime
I'm married and have two beautiful kids. I want to live!
I've been wanting this surgery for several years but have been fighting the insurance battle. Finally, I've WON!!
Thank God for Countrywide Home Loans and their wonderful benefits (United Healthcare EPO). They say we won't pay a thing....we'll see...lol.
Let's see here....my journey began a long time ago, but I have a weight journal now that began in February. My surgery is May 8th and I can't wait!! May 8, 2006 I begin my life again!!!!!
May 19....16 days post op and I feel GREAT! I'm down 30 lbs since surgery on May 8th. Had a rough go of it for a couple of days after, but then VIOLA! No pain, no PBing (knock on wood, or whatever else material you happen to be pounding on) Every day is more and more exciting! Just found out my 20 year class reunion is in September....boy will THEY be shocked! Golf is back in my life too!! YEEHAAWW!! And finally, thanks to everyone for their caring and support. Lots of people think that "this is something I have to do on my own".....WRONG. Don't try. Have faith. Have strength. And with all of your encouragement (and the most loving supportive wife on the planet) I'm doing great!! We'll talk soon! Seeyabye!
6/8 One month post-op and doing great! I'm down to 526 and that's back on full solids with one protein drink a day usually. I just don't eat the portions I used to. I get my first fill on Tuesday 6/27 and I can't wait!!
Photos
 500+ Brett and I on the ferris wheel at Disneyland 08/04 |
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 500+ Chris |
Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: Richard Benavides, M.D.
Dr. Benavides and his office staff are great. They are friendly, responsive and knowledgableand there aren't long waiting periods to see the doctor or difficulties getting appointments!. They have made this process very easy and the facilitators they use, AIGB and Lap Band Solutions have worked hard on this and are great too! Dr. Benavides has done sooooo many of these surgeries and really knows his stuff. I'd recommend him to anyone who's looking for a very good doctor!
Insurer Info:
United Healthcare, Countrywide EPO
Our doctor uses Lap Band Solutions to facilitate his insurance stuff, so they sent the pre-determination letter to the insurance co(UHC) for us....to 5 different fax numbers, over the course of a week and a half because none of the requests were "getting there". Finally, the last one was sent out on April 5th and the approval letter was mailed to us on the 13th. It's the 19th today and we haven't received it yet, but the surgery was scheduled pending receipt of the letter. It all went fast once the right fax number was reached!! Best of all, they say it won't cost us ANYTHING!!! My wife is next!!! We'll see if it goes smooth for her too.
