LittleLou

Well, I have had to do SOOOO many other things besides those appointments. I can't WAIT until it's all over.

In my opinion, as bad as you expect the sleep study to be, it's most likely worse. I had a horrible time and honestly didn't even think I would get enough sleep for them to get accurate results, although they did. I'd have to say my sleep study with the CPAP machine was much worse than the original study, they gave me a full mask and I could NOT get comfortable. I've had my own mask at home since last Friday and it only took 3 nights for me to get used to it.... so the good news is, there is a light at the end of the tunnel:)

It says (in exact words) 3 consecutive months (Less than < 90 days) and my coordinator told me that I had to be seen once each month - so if my appt was Sept 30th and I cancelled it, even if my re-scheduled appt was within 30 days of my last appt, if I wasn't seen IN September, I'd have to start over.

That is what I thought too, but it requires 3 consecutive month visits, and August 15 counted as month #1. I questioned it, but this office has been around for a longggg time and they deal with my insurance company, and obviously this type of stuff, much more than I do so I went with it.

My surgeon refuses surgery on anyone who smokes... weed or cigarettes... but I'm not sure what formal testing he will do to confirm whether or not his patients are abusing substances. On a side note, my cousin just had the lapband procedure last week. Her lung collapsed during surgery and the surgeon told her it was most likely because she is a heavy smoker. If that's not a reason to put it down, I'm not sure what is!

I second above, I haven't had surgery yet but have started the Premium Protein Shakes from Sam's club and they are really delicious:)

What does the psych evaluation include? I've openly admitted to being depressed because of my weight and how I look. Is that okay to tell the psychologist? What are they really looking for when they are evaluating me?

Thank you, and I'm so sorry for the loss of your son. I have three boys myself and well, I just couldn't imagine:(

I was told the other day in my support group that working out before surgery and getting into a good routine will also help you reduce the amount of excess skin you have after losing weight. Not sure if it's true, but it can never hurt to exercise:)

My list of things to do is a lot like yours, I'm so nervous too:(

Ever since I made the decision to move forward with getting WLS, time seems to be creeping by. I tried to spread out all of my doctor appointments over two months to make it easier, but a week still feels like a month:( I want to have all appointments done before my last NUT appt on Oct 25th so that everything can be submitted to insurance right after, but all I have been able to think about is, "how am I going to wait for another two months find out if I'm approved?" Has anyone else been a victim of time, and if so, how did you get by without going crazy?

Yup, totally didn't calculate the "excess" part.. that explains it lol.

I wonder if that stat is based off of how much weight a person has to lose... because if that were true, that would put me within 20 pounds of my goal weight within the first three months. Which would be freaking AMAZING!!!!!!

Good luck! I don't have an answer for your weight loss question, however I've seen lots of B&A photos and it looks like 30-40 pounds isn't out of the norm for the first 2-3 months. You are so lucky your insurance approved so quickly... I'm praying my insurance is that quick when my time comes:)

Has anyone read the BIG BOOK that is recommended on this site?

I will pray your scans come back clear, for many more reasons than just a clearance for surgery!!!

I have two more months before my last NUT appointment, which is Oct 25, before my paperwork can be submitted to insurance. My BMI is 37.8, but I also have obstructive sleep apnea.

My insurance requires NUT appointments in consecutive months, as I believe most do, and since Friday is the last business day of August, I hope you are able to reschedule, unless you've already been seen at least once in August by the NUT. That is complete BS, a lot of my doctors charge for being late. When do we get to start charging them for our time when they make us wait for them??? Good luck with everything!

Did anyone have to write a letter to their surgeon, explaining why they want to have the surgery? I'm not sure if this is a requirement from my surgeon, or my insurance, or maybe it's not a requirement from insurance but my surgeon submits the letter with all of the paperwork for good measure... Anywho, just wondering if anyone else had to do this, and if so, how personal you got? Shan:)

Thanks, I just wrote it up... It was honest and heartfelt, so hopefully it's what they are looking for:)

Hi everyone, I'm in the process of the pre-op items to get approved as well. My last appt is my 3rd month nutritional appt on October 25th so I'm hoping for a November surgery date as well! Time is already going by SO slow, but I also have a lot of behavior modifications to make and need to use this time wisely. Lets keep each other motivated:)

Good luck, I can't imagine the feelings you must be having right now!

Awesome:)

If you look in your member book (or even online under general CIGNA policy) you will see the requirements. A "clearance" from a physician, other than your surgeon, is required. I have Open Access, which doesn't require referrals either, but I don't think that matters in this case. Hope the below helps:) I just pulled this off of the site: An evaluation from a bariatric surgeon and your primary care physician with a resulting recommendation for surgery is necessary. A mental health evaluation is required as well as a nutritional evaluation from a physician or registered dietitian.

My first seminar for WLS was at the end of July, and my first consultation with the surgeons office wasn't until August 5th. It wasn't until my consultation with the surgeon that I found out I needed an actual letter, not just medical records, from my PCP. The bad news, my PCP retired and closed his office on July 31st. Now I don't have a PCP, and I'm not so sure that if I find one, the first question I should be asking at my first appointment is, "will you clear me for bariatric surgery?" Has anyone gone through a situation like this? It's really my only hiccup in this process so far:(