Losingitforgood!

You are beautiful! What an amazing transformation!!

Thank you! I called today and I was told it should be 5 days for review!

Mine will be sent this week to Cigna. Fingers crossed! Hopefully it will be a quick process!

Me too!!!

Congratulations! How long did it take? My surgeons office is faxing my file to insurance this week! So the waiting game is about to begin for me!

So I just returned home from my surgeon consult and I am kind of interested about an answer I got about bougie size. My surgeon says in their office they use a 46fr. I was very surprised- because I've not read of many that are so large. He says he fits his staples very snug next to the bougie and so there is little to no difference in sleeve size. He says he has considered changing to a smaller one but has had such success with this size he says there is no need. So my question is are there any other 46fr sleeves out there that have had problems and wish their Dr. Had gone smaller? Keep in mind I am rather short 5'2"- so that might make my stomach not as long as some.

Maybe I can talk to my Dr and see if he would feel comfortable going a bit smaller. I really would like to hear from someone that has had this size bougie used- and their results. It makes me nervous- I just really feel like since this surgery is a restriction only procedure- I want to feel confident I will get the best result possible.

NUT= nutritionist.

http://www.cigna.com/assets/docs/health-care-professionals/coverage_positions/mm_0027_coveragepositioncriteria_abdominoplasty_and_panniculectomy.pdf It's on page 2.

I'm 33- have been significantly overweight my adult life- have 4 kids (2 c sections, 2 natural)- need to lose about 120lbs. I'm already preparing myself emotionally that this will be a hurdle for me. Like you I have done research and I feel like there is very little that can make a huge difference with sagging skin. I guess I feel like its something I have to come to terms with before surgery. I guess I will invest in lots of compression clothing and hope for the best until its a good time for me to consider plastic sergery. Which I am most definatly going to be doing!

My work gives us Hoodies each year. This year I got mine in an XL. (I wear a 3X now) I have a goal to be wearing it by the time jacket weather comes around again.

Someone also mentioned on here that with the changes they made with the 6 month diet changing to 3 months- Cigna has also expedited their approval process to 5 business days. I hope so!!! That would be amazing.

So today I got scheduled for my first consult with my surgeon. I'm scheduled for July 10. Does anyone know of a good place to get a list of really good questions? I'm afraid of missing something I should be asking. I was wondering what some things you guys asked when seeing your surgeon for the first time. I tried to search but got no good results. Thanks in advance!

I also got so much info from YouTube.

You will have to have a separate appointment with your PCP after your 3 months for an evaluation and recommendation for surgery. Cigna requires a 2nd evaluation and medial clearance by someone other than your surgeon. As far as copays and deductibles go- I have had very little charge thus far for anything. I paid a $15 co pay for my nut, I will pay 20% for my psyc eval (should be around $70)... My surgery/hospital stay is covered at 100%. My hospital requires a $500 aftercare program that is not billed through insurance at all... That I will have to pay up front before surgery. Hope this helps! Good luck!

I have Cigna and will be covered at 100%. I will have to cover 20% of my psyc eval, and $15 for my nut. Also my surgeon requires an aftercare program that everyone is required to pay for. That will be $500- and is not at all billed to inc.

I am going to my regular physician this morning for my medical clearance for surgery- and to pick up my weight loss records for my medically supervised diet. My nutritionist and my psyc eval were faxed over to my surgons office yesterday. This means once they get all my info- I get to schedule to see my surgon (hopefully in the next few weeks) once I meet with him- my info is sent off to Cigna for approval! I can't wait! How about you?

Someone else on here also stated that they have expedited the approval process to 5 days also! I hope things go smooth for the both of us!

Maybe WW kept a log. I know they always take my weight and write it on my records- and their records. I'd call to see what it takes to get a copy. good luck!

Amy, Nice to meet you! I am new here also. I'm 33- mother of 4, I work as a phlebotomist at a hospital. I also have about 120 lbs to lose... FOREVER! I'm just about ready to submit my paperwork to insurance- and I hope for a quick and easy approval. You are very lucky you are able to convert to the sleeve from a band. Surgery is a big decision- and you are lucky to have support to help you. There is so much to learn and read on here... GOOD LUCK to you and hope we hear more from you!

I have to be honest here... Within the last 6 months of researching WLS I have to say at some point or another I have felt that there were good qualities of each type of surgery- and at some point I was very confused as to which surgery would be good for my situation. At first I Was all about the DS- most powerful weight loss surgery, quickest loss, most likely the best option to keep that weight off forever. Then I started to feel very uncomfortable with re routing the intestins- and the Vitamin deficiencies that often cause havoc in years post op. I then came across a article where they actually stumbled upon the VSG by accident because some surgeons were performing the DS two fold. The sleeve first then after the patient would lose significant weight the second part (the switch- re routing the intestines) was done. What was interesting is that patients were actually losing plenty of weight during the first half of surgery and not needing the second phase done- creating the VSG surgery as a stand alone WLS. I guess my question is- did anyone regret just doing the sleeve- or seriously consider the DS as an surgery option? I wonder what effect the switch really has on long term weight loss and if the risk is worth the lifetime of supplements, bowel issues, and malabsorption conditions patients are sure to have. Any thoughts????

Good to know! I work in a hospital and it's quite a popular procedure here. I think I just need to trust my instinct and go with the sleeve.