wannabeskinny

I am thinking of going to Dr. Hollis, but I have read some things about his staff. Has anyone used Dr. Hollis? If so, what was your experience with his support staff? The surgeon is very important, but I feel like his staff is as important since I will have the most interaction with them.

So I've completed all the requirements for VSG by my insurance company and my doctor's office submitted my paperwork. I was denied due to not having a letter of clearance by my PCP. Okay, no big deal. I went to my pcp and he wrote the letter and forwarded it to my surgeons office. I follow up with the surgeons office on Thursday to find out if my paperwork has been resubmitted and the coordinator states that after further review CIGNA requires a BMI of 50 for VSG. I'm like WTF? That's not why I was denied. She then states there is a clause they noticed and called the insurance company to verify. The coordinator said she spoke with a supervisor at CIGNA and that a 50 BMI is required. WTH is going on? I was told a 40 BMI or over 35 BMI with a comorbidity by their office and the insurance company. The coordinator states that I would be approved for the lap band or the bypass. I DON'T WANT EITHER OF THOSE!!! So i'm so confused now! The denial letter states that I am being denied because of a clearance letter and not because my BMI is too low. Wouldn't the insurance company have denied because of the BMI requirement not being met if that was the issue? Should I have my doc's office resubmit the paperwork with the clearance letter and hope somehow they miss the part that I only have a BMI of 40 with acid refux and mild sleep apnea? Evidently this will be my last chance to submit paperwork for this surgery since I have already been denied once. Not sure how that whole thing works, but that's what a CIGNA agent told me. I can only submit one more time. Has anyone been approved by CIGNA for VSG with a 40 BMI? :help:

I always order an a la carte item and nonchalantly mention I'm not very hungry.

OMG! I have been freaking out about this. I'm glad you asked this question. I had surgery September 23rd and am able to eat 5-6 oz at a time. I can eat an entire pudding cup, 5.3 oz of yogurt and can drink about 8 oz of cream of chicken lipton cup of soup. Is that too much? I don't want to screw up already!

So I was just approved today! Yay!!! I need to order my protein powders today because I start next week on the liquid diet and I was wondering if anyone had tried Chike protein powders. I saw them on the Celebrate website and am hesitant to order them because I haven't heard anyone say they drink them. I've tried the Celebrate ENS Plus Protein and that tastes sooooooo good but the directions say only twice a day. If anyone's had Chike protein powders let me know your thoughts!

I'm bad about that too. Just ate a SF popcycle!

I had surgery Thursday morning too. Had to stay an additional night in the hospital due to nausea, but was able to come home Saturday night. Glad that phase is over! Phew! I've been getting my 64oz of fluids, but not my Protein. Can't stomach the Protein drinks yet...barely could before surgery! lol Aussiegirl, I'm jealous you are already on pureed. I have another week of liquids, then can move to mushies/pureed.

I have been a long time Tylenol PM user and recently switch to Advil PM...take them EVERY NIGHT! I had surgery on Thursday and since then have been relying on the pain pills from the surgery. I'm not in any pain anymore so I really don't need them. I'm sitting here looking at my GINORMOUS Advil PM's wondering how the hell I'm going to get those down! Maybe Benedryl?

My shipment of Chike came in and they are good. I like vanilla the best. THANK GOD I FOUND SOMETHING I CAN GET DOWN! LOL

So I checked with my surgeon's office and they said they had to refax my paperwork because Cigna doesn't have any record of receiving it. Grrrrrrrr So frustrated! Thanks for the informaion! I'll definitely document our convo next week when I call Cigna!

My surgeon's office resubmitted my paperwork last Monday so I'm anxiously awaiting the response. I've thought about calling Cigna several times, but I'm afraid I'm denied so I haven't gotten up the courage to call yet. lol

If you don't mind me asking, what is your BMI? I was told I needed a BMI of 50 to get approved for VSG by CIGNA.

I'd like one too, please!

Dr. Kenneth Hollis came recommended to me. I haven't had the surgery yet, and like you, just started this process, but I haven't heard anything negative about him.

Does anybody know if acid reflux/heartburn is considered a comorbidity? (I have Cigna insurance)

I have my first consultation on Friday and I'm really worried my insurance won't pay for the sleeve because i haven't had a BMI of 40 for two years and I don't have any comorbidities with a lower BMI. Does anybody know if I self pay, and God forbid i have complications, will Cigna cover the hospital stay and/or additional surgeries?

Well I have CIGNA Open Access and it does cover the sleeve...I guess I'll just impatiently wait for the consultation and see what they have to say. I'm a little nervous about that. I don't want to hear bad news.

Im confused how the Lap Band works. If people won't or can't exercise and eat healthy without the band, how come they can with the band? I went to my first seminar today with Dr. Bonner on the lap band and the doctor stated that diet and exercise is a must even after banded. If that is the case, then why do people get banded instead of just doing it on their own?

Im confused how the Lap Band works. If people won't or can't exercise and eat healthy without the band, how come they can with the band? I went to my first seminar today on the lap band and the doctor stated that diet and exercise is a must even after banded. If that is the case, then why do people get banded?

I am thinking about going to Dr. Ferrari. Has anyone used him or had any experience with him?

OMG I just posted the same question. I'm confused by this too. If this is the case then why do people get banded? If I would eat healthy and exercise then I wouldn't be considering banding. I just went to a seminar this evening and was unclear. I may call the doctor's office in the morning and ask. I'll let you know what they say if I call. I am confused. I am going through the approval process with my insurance right now to get the procedure done. The only thing that scares me is the fact that everyone on these boards says you have to exercise and eat healthy. If that is the case, why not just diet? Does the LapBand really help or do you end up doing it all on your own anyway? I just want to make sure I am not going to go through surgery for nothing. I would love your input! Thanks so much!

I'm sure you'll start dropping the pounds soon. It's a New Year! Thanks for your response.

Do you feel like it was worth it? Also, what do you tell people why ur not eating much? I would rather not broadcast that I am banded, so i just wondered what you tell people or what they think. I know it doesn't matter what others think but I am a private and would prefer to keep this to myself.