CCRNonherway

Many years ago, I was much thinner then than I am now. In line at Disneyland..."I'm sorry ma'am, expectant mothers can't ride this ride...." Sent from my iPad using VST

Is there a rule or guideline on how much unflavored Protein you can put into something without changing the taste or consistency ? Example, I had about a 1/2 cup of yogurt after my dinner. I thought about adding protein to see how it tastes (I'm pre-op) but I chickened out. I'd be interested in hearing your powder to liquid ratios. Thanks! Sent from my iPad using VST

Warm compresses can help to disperse any inflammation. Sent from my iPad using VST

Northwest Med Center, Tucson. Sent from my iPad using VST

I am so grateful to this forum for all of the great information! My surgery is scheduled for 6-25, the pre-op diet will start on Tuesday. I have spent this week detoxing from carbs (lots of meat!). The first couple of days...what a headache! But it's much better now and I am not too hungry. I also got samples of the various Protein shakes. Just had my first, Syntrax Oreo flavor. Delicious! I'm fortunate that my pre op diet requires 2 shakes and a lean meal per day until the day before surgery, when I start Clear liquids. Thank you to everyone for sharing their experiences! Sent from my iPad using VST

Just submit what they want. No need to "fight" anything at this point. They have very specific requirements, so make sure all paperwork is sent in. Same thing happened to me. Once paperwork was submitted it took about a week for approval. The positive thing is that they didn't deny you or a medical reason--that's where the fight comes in! Good luck! Sent from my iPad using VST

Mine is on the 25th in Tucson. Where are you? Sent from my iPad using VST

That's great news. Thanks for the feedback!

No sleeve yet. I am down the road in Tucson, scheduled for the 25th at Northwest Med Ctr.

For those who asked why the surgeon wrote "yes" on her abdomen, it's in response to a patient safety goal of identifying the proper site for surgery. It was originally intended to prevent "wrong side" surgery (like the wrong arm or leg) but now many hospitals have the surgeon acknowledge his surgical site.

All I can say is make sure your submission follows their requirements to the exact letter!!! https://cignaforhcp.cigna.com/public/content/pdf/coveragePolicies/medical/mm_0051_coveragepositioncriteria_bariatric_surgery.pdf I was denied my first submission and approved on appeal. The process took about a week each time. Quirky points: Your doctor must BOTH clear AND recommend you for the surgery. The supervised diet must be documented monthly for a duration of >= 89 days and contain documentation of diet, exercise and weight EACH month. Summary reports are not acceptable, even if each visit is detailed in the summary. My coordinator tried to reason with them but they would not budge until it was in the exact format they wanted. Nit picky she said! I'm so excited this is finally approved! In the scheme of things it went very quickly. Now Surgery 6-25! Eek! Sent from my iPad using VST

The policy states that another doc (not the surgeon) must clear you for surgery and recommend you for surgery. The policy is very clear on what must be submitted. Have you reviewed it? So sorry to hear about your troubles. Just be persistent and eventually you will meet all the requirements.

You are usually either weighed or asked your weight at the hospital for any surgery. This is so the anesthesiologist can calculate the right amounts of meds to give you. Nothing to do with weight loss. Sent from my iPad using VST

Me too! It's about 3 weeks away! Will be here before we know it.

From what I understand, your doctor's office "opens the claim" to get the claim number. Then Cigna "requests the clinical information" and then it goes to medical review. I initially got some letter saying they needed more information, and that's how my coordinator explained it.

It has to be supervised. Make sure to go over it with your doc or nut each month.

June 25th! Dr. Stephen Burpee Tucson, AZ

I just posted the link to their policy under another thread. It gives you exact requirements for the supervised diet. Hope it helps! Sent from my iPad using VST

Congrats to you too! So much to do between now and then.

Took 7 days and got my round 1 denial. My doctor need to both clear and recommend me for surgery. He only recommended me (inferring that he cleared me too.) Not good enough, he needed to state both. My nut submitted discussion of the three visits in one report; Cigna wants it in 3 separate reports. So on the plus side, these seem like minor issues that can be easy fixed. On the minus side , it's disappointing that Cigna is so nit picky!

APPROVED!!!!! Surgery date 6-25!!!! Seems so soon! Took about 5 business days for appeal.

They were very quick with initial review. Less than 1 week. Just make sure your documentation follows the bariatric policy.EXACTLY. Mine was all there just not in the format they want it and they denied me. Now I am in appeal.

I travel abundantly too and have found it very difficult to meet the appointments etc...How much time did you take off before you could travel again?

How did you like Dr Burpee? I am in the approval process now.

I agree! Thank you. This waiting is the worst!