Donnajade

nic - my other son is 12 so I have a few years still with him. I have read so many post on this board and I know that a lot of people think like me - hide from the camera. I hate it. I'm really looking forward to being banded. Not nervous yet but I'm sure that will come. October is gonna be a great month for lots of us. Donna

Hello everyone. Wanted to indroduce myself - I'm Donna. I've been lurking on this board for about 8 months now. I'm scheduled for sugrery the 23rd of Oct. I had to do the 6 month diet thing with my PCP for my insurance co. I have Cigna and was really expecting them to deny me even after I jumped thought all the hoops. I'm happy to say - they didn't. All my paperwork was turned in on the 17th and I was approved the 19th. I am so excited to be joining all of you for this October journey. I have two sons - one is a senior this year in high school and I'm so glad that I'll be able to not hide from the camera when he graduates in June! OK - now I'm crying just thinking about this. I. Can. Not. Wait. For. The. 23rd! Just wanted to say hello. Donna

Has anyone heard from Zannie? I'm worried about her. Zannie, if you read this, please let us know how you are. Donna

Signgirl - I can't tell you how shocked I was to hear from the insurance people and then from Cat that I was approved. If you go on the insurance forum here you can read all about Cigna being a bear on approval. I guess I just lucked out and followed everything they wanted for the 6 months. My PCP and his office were very supportive so I also had them in my corner. I'm so excited. Cat actually said I could have it done the 3rd of Oct and I almost did it. I ended up changing though - just wasn't enough time to get things in order with work and family. I'm very happy with the 10/23 date though. I met Dr. Clark and I really liked him. It's just me and my weird ways. :waytogo: Thanks for the info on the fee. I'll be getting my paperwork soon so I'm sure it will all be covered in that. It will be a long journey - I have over 100lbs to lose but I'm ready to get started. Donna

Big Fred - thanks! I have been reading everything possible on this board about cigna and was prepared to fight the fight. I'm glad I don't have to do that and I would love to swap stories. I'm sending positive thoughts your way and I just know you will get the approval word soon. Donna

I just posted this on another thread but wanted to let you know that my Dr's office submitted my paperwork to Cigna on Monday and I got approved yesterday. My surgery is scheduled for the 23rd of October. So for me it took 3 days for them to approve. I had to do the 6 month diet with my pcp also. Good luck to everyone with Cigna. Donna

Gina & Signgirl, I'm approved and scheduled! I'm having the surgery October 23rd with Dr. Terracina. Cat is putting my paperwork in the mail tomorrow. I do have a question though - what is the $720.00 fee that the surgery center requires? Just wondering. Gina - your weight loss is still amazing and you really seem to have a good handle on all this. I'll keep learning from you! Donna

Hi everyone. I'm new to posting but not new to the board. I've been reading and researching for 8 months now. I too have Cigna and finished my 6 months with the PCP on September 4th. All my paperwork was turned into Cigna this past Monday, the 17th and I was approved yesterday, the 19th. I'm scheduled for surgery on the 23rd of Oct. I'm excited but I don't think it's sunk in yet. Just wanted yall to know that there was someone else out here jumping through the hoops for Cigna. Donna

Signgirl - I asked for Dr. T, after going to the seminar of Dr. Clarks, just because I read that he did more lap bands and I'm nervous enough. Dr. Clark said at the seminar that he specialized in the bypass or he did more of the bypass or something like that. Maybe I just assumed at that point that Dr. T did more of the lap band. If my surgery was already scheduled I wouldn't change. Please don't let my weird ways change your mind. :Banane20: I got everything to the center on Friday the 7th and they told me they would try and get it submitted on Friday the 14th. I'm in the waiting mode. Donna

Thanks for the info Gina. I've learned a lot from you! How does it feel to have lost almost 90lbs in 4.5 months!? That is just wonderful. I can't wait to join all this. I went to the seminar with Dr. Clark but then through more research I decided I wanted Terracina. Dr. Clark even said at the seminar that he was the expert in the bypass and Terracina did the lap bands. So, I actually haven't met Dr. Terracina yet. Looking forward to it though. Donna

Hello all. I'm new to posting but not new to this board. Been lurking for over 8 months now. I had to do the 6 months with my PCP and have just finished all the requirements. I'm in Williamsburg and will hopefully be doing my surgery with the Weight Loss Surgery Center in Hampton Roads. Dr. Terricina. Just waiting for the approval from the insurance company. Signgirl - I wanted to ask you how long it took for their office to submit to your insurance company once you have given them all the information? Just wanted to say Hi to all the Va people and I really hope to be joining all this soon. Donna