chyna86

Was considering the lapband but slowly moving towards the sleeve. There are just too many instances of complications and people who ultimately removed the band and went for sleeve or bypass in the end. The only major complication Im hearing about with the sleeve is gallbladder issues. My mother had to have hers removed as well. Im wondering if its possible to have it removed during surgery? Has anyone had problems with gallbladder post op???

I had my consultation last week and the doctor said he doesnt like to remove gallbladders for no reason. He stated he puts his patients on gallbladder medicine for a couple of months and that greatly reduces the chances of having problems down the line! whew!

My surgeons office called to verify my insurance and I found out my employers insurance plan has an exclusion for bariatric surgery. Cigna did state that it is covered if it is deemed medically necessary. My surgeons office was advised to send in my height, weight, and BMI for precertification. I offered to get a PCP note to send in additionally but it seems Cigna only uses BMI for precertification. My BMI is 40 on the dot. Has anyone else been in this situation with their insurance??

Just found out my group insurance with my employer has an exclusion for bariatric surgery. The insurance specialist at the doctors office I chose called on my behalf and found out that surgery is covered if deemed medically necessary. She was advised by to send in my hight, weight, and BMI for a "Precertifiation". This seemed very scant but she was advised this was all the info that was needed. My BMI is 40 on the dot. Has anyone else had experience with this "Precertification" process?? It will take 3 weeks to get an answer back. My nerves are wrecked!

Make sure your surgeons office has a dedicated insurance team! My first choice of surgeon called me back right after I made an appt. to tell me I would have to pay out of pocket because my insurance has an exclusion. Defeated, I cancelled my consult with my second choice of surgeon and they called me back to encourage me to still come in. They got Cigna to admit it would be covered if deemed medically necessary and are helping to push my insurance. Not too sure what my chances are but having the surgeons insurance team is definitely a help

60 lbs. in 4 months! Congrats x4

Thanks! Just had my consultation today. I am going forward with the doctor and starting my 6 month journey!

Just started looking into the whole WLS arena and have been looking at the lapband as an option worth persuing. I did find out last year that I have growth on my thyroid (goiter). I've been poked, prodded, rammed and jammed by two different endos and all of my tests have come back normal. My thyroid is functioning just fine, just a growth i guess. Wondering if this will be a no go for any WLS. Has anyone out there have the surgery with thyroid problems?

Ehhhhh the word cath____ always made my stomach do backflips. My stomach is somersaulting just reading this post. Im thinking about the sleeve and didnt even consider it as part of post op. :confused5:

Cigna's requirements state a BMI of 40 and above requires no co-morbidities. This is what they say......but Im wondering if they really mean it. I was tested extensively last year and everything came out normal. My BMI is now 40 on the dot. It would be horrible to go through the 6 month time frame and be denied because of such. Has anyone been approved by Cigna with no other health issues found??

Good to know! I hadnt been going to the doctor either past a year or two ago. Going to have to think back to for records

congrats congrats!!

5 years? Not sure if I can even think back that far lol.

Thanks all! Hope the doc feels the same during my consultation this week

Hi Caroline I am 25 years old in Clifton,NJ. Just starting this whole journey with my first consultation this week!

Ive already gotten the "are you crazy" from my two best friends for considering it. Ill have to ask my mother questions since she had a gastric bypass and worked in the medical field. Im sure she will tell the whole entire family if I choose to do it, but I wouldnt want anyone in my business either!