peacheeie

Well, right now, I could get another band but honestly I don't want one. Mine worked for me but I constantly was bringing up what I had just eaten, ate the slimey foods etc. I have thought about getting it just so that I don't gain anymore weight but honestly, I don't want to settle

I cannot say how wonderful the support is on this site...you are all amazing and I enjoy hearing about all of your journeys...the information is unbelievably helpful and I know all your hearts are exactly in the right place.....we have all walked this path and we take the journey together...I know it sounds corney but as I sit here feeling every single pound that I have gained, your words and posts make me feel like I can take on the world...or at least CIGNA!!!!

Surgeon did the peer to peer...still denied!! I'm appealing it myself and doing all the leg work as we speak. I even am getting my old before lap band records so that they can see what my weight was.....a letter from my rheumatologist saying after time my autoimmune disease (RA) could start attacking the band...again.....my pain management doctor about extra weight being bad for my degenerative disk disease and a letter From my primary with, hopefully, her approval for the sleeve! I was a little upset that my doc when doing the peer to peer did not use the most recent weigh in from 2 days prior....he had a BMI of 31 and it should have been 33.3. It's a bunch of hoops to jump through but I'm jumping because I want this!!

To go through this journey with your spouse is an amazing gift!!!

Ty Ty ty

I am also going to a support group and I know support comes from all areas and I know I'm not alone:)

Very inspirational it's really sad too me that CIGNA has documentation that on sept 19 to 10/28 I am 27 lbs heavier...do they think I'm not going to gain another 15 lbs by my dec 5 tentative surgery date???

Wow...if I wasn't in nj I would go see your doc! That's amazing. I'm struggling. I went in for a port replacement, woke up and was told they had to remove my band. I immediately started to cry and said I'm going to go right back to where I was weight wise...I'm well on my way and am so upset with myself. My doctor said 6 weeks and we will replace as a revision....nothing about having to gain weight and honestly I believed that since they took out my device, they wouldd replace it....HAAAA

Great...very helpful. My plan is through my employeer...never thought of calling HR...great idea. When you say appeal to the healthy goal of theirs , what does that mean...are you referring to the vitality points and healthy lifestyle they push down our throats?

Congratulations...this is what I want however, my BMI is lower than the required 35 with co mortalities...I noticed youe stats... How did you get approved and what ins do you have? I'm so jealous...lol

Ty becweaves...I do have co mortalities...hpb, rheumatoid arthritis & degenerative disk disease. I wa seriously thinking about going back to the band but honestly, I don't want too...ate soup for the last 6 years and made excuses on going out to dinner thousands of times! Also, I am now reading reports that the band is being linked to RA. I received the letter of denial and I'm going to appeal....any wording suggestions for my letter?

Wow....I'm so happy for all that were approved by cigna...congrats and good luck!! I however, was not that lucky. I was denied and then my surgeon had a peer to peer on Thursday...DENIED!!! My BMI is 32.5 so basically it was cut and dry, no sleeve If under 35 even with co mortalities. I actually cried to the poor surgical coordinator...my band was removed sept 19 and I have gained almost 30 lbs! So, I have to gain 20 more to get the sleeve, maybe, or I can probably get another band...wtf!!!! I was told that there is no appeal once the peer to peer has happened....can I appeal???

My peer to peer that the doc had with my insurance co CIGNA, was denied due to the fact that my BMI is 33 and they need 35! I had the band which was removed sept 19 and was going in for the revision of the sleeve. They denied it, now, what. An I do? Bascially, I have to wait until I gain 15-20 MORE lbs or I can go back to the sleeve!! Help, is there anything I can do on my part? Different doctor? Anything? Thanks, D

Well, it's official...I was denied!! Apparently, I have not gained enough weight for CIGNA to approve my revision surgery:( I'm disappointed but knew they were going to do this. Apparently, my surgeon is going to have a "peer to peer" with the medical director this week. I remember having to fight so hard with my insurance at the time for the initial lapband surgery but I did it and I have faith I will do it again!!

Hi! Still nothing as of yet! I am hoping tomorrow since my paperwork was received at CIGNA on 10/23 and is now in the hands of the medical director (without needing any further information). Please keep fingers and toes crossed!!

Jwow...this is interesting....I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis about a year after I was banded...could be ironic, could be family history, could be the band but I am reading more and more about problems. My doctor just submitted to CIGNA on Thursday for my revision from band to sleeve...and they have 2 business to approve...should hear something by Monday. I'm a little concerned because they did not ask for any further information from the doctor...could me 1 of 2 things, I'm approved or my request is comical with a flat out denial!! I really am hoping for the best....I have gained about 20 lbs even watching what I eat and being somewhat strict....I had a lot of restriction and without even trying lost 10 lbs in 3 months. I thank you for this information and your post and keep you r fingers crossed!!!

Nothing as of yet:( I see my surgeon Thursday and am looking forward too seeing him, but I have gained 18 lbs since my band was removed on 9/19!!! My BMI is most likely at 40 now and I have HBP, rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative disk disease so hopefully, fingers crossed! Doctors did submit for sleeve, they did not deny, they requested more info which we are getting together. Apparently, I have a "surgery date" of 12/5...who knew???!!! Cigna said after all paperwork comes in, they will have up to 5 days to approve...if not, my doc said he would do a "peer to peer" conversation! I'm praying

Wow...interesting...I have cigna and my doctors just sent in the band to sleeve paperwork on Monday. I was banded in July 2009 and have lost a total of 95 lbs! Long story short, port started protruding, doctor scheduled me for a port replacement, woke up to be told that the band was removed due to erosion!!! ALL of my tests showed nothing but when they went in there, there it was. It has only been 2 weeks, I've gained 12 lbs, feeling sluggish but I am beginning to accept that my doctor literally saved me from a really bad problem that was festering. I am hoping that cigna approves me, however, my BMI is under 30, I do have high BP and RA so maybe they will approve me for the sleeve? I loved my band up until the last year. Food does get stuck and going out to eat is something that I found most difficult....I always ordered soup. I'm also hearing connections of RA and the band? I'm waiting to hear what they want from me and I'm hoping before the end of the year because I have met all my deductibles......how long did your cigna approval take?

Hi everyone! I'm a newbie to this site and so glad I found it! To make a long story short, I was banded in 2009, very successful, lost 100 lbs, never any problems until about 9 months ago. Port turned, I was told it would be a simple 20 minute "fix". After ALL necessary tests, everything came back great....no slippage, leaking etc. went in this morning, woke up & was told they removed the band due to a puss pocket behind the stomach and the tubing was beginning to erode. Needless to say, I was shocked and began to cry. This was such a fight for me since day one between fighting my ins company, sleep apnea tests, counseling, dietician etc...and I know we have all been there as it is part of the process but I just feel robbed. I know that may come across as shallow but trust me, I am the last person to put looks or weight above health. I'm confused, my doctor did mention that it could be a possibility, could be. Why did all my tests come back good if they had to take it out? It is a total mind f*** and I'm afraid now that I will gain back the weight and who knows if insurance will pay for another band/bypass with a low BMI. Doc said 6 weeks and trust me, I have a list of questions for my follow up in a few days. Doctor never went out to speak to my mother, who was waiting for 8 hours total! I'm just having thoughts as to if this band even needed to be removed. Any thoughts or stories please share...I feel robbed

Ty for that suggestion....I looked into that plication and it sounds great but not too many ins companies are approving it. I'm just so concerned that since he did not convert me right then and there that my window of opportunity is closed with the ins company. Have you heard of others having this done, waiting, and the ins paying for a replacement?