wsw27

I will have to do Optifast for my pre-surgery diet too. But I was on a modified Opti fast diet diet for the 6 month diet so I am very familiar with Optifast! (I ate one meal a day, along with the shakes). Best to make the shakes in the blender--add plenty of ice and it does mix up thicker. I used to mix the vanilla powder with coffee, splenda, sugar free vanilla syrup and ice in the blender and it tasted like a frozen latte (sort of :-)). Think of it as a means to an end.

Erica, Thank you so much for your very informative post. It was very helpful.

Laurenwhite: I saw Dr. Kurian--who I really like. The office is a bit hectic, however so when you go, be prepared to be there for several hours. Good luck.

Thanks Aunt Lucy! You've made my day. I'm so glad to hear you were able to get back your reformer work. I expect to have a period of recovery, but I was worried that I would feel too much discomfort from the port to go back to reformer work. Pilates has changed my life in so many ways. I don't want to give it up. P.S. I'm so jealous that you have a reformer and cadillac at home.

Each Cigna plan is different. Your employer may decide to exclude certain procedures. You have to call the customer service number and ask about weight loss surgery. My cigna plan covers the surgery but requires a BMI of 40 or higher, 6 month medically supervised diet, 5 year weight history, letter from my PCP, psych evaluation (most surgeons require this too). With my plan if the BMI is between 35 and 39, you need co-morbidities, such as high blood pressure, sleep apena, etc. You may be able to look at the requirements for your plan on line. Good luck

This is a very personal decision. There is nothing wrong with choosing not to tell people. I am not telling my co-workers as I am sure it will be the subject of much discussion. I am hoping to have surgery on July 1 and will take a few days off around the long weekend. I am always on some type of diet, so I plan to disclose the pre-op liquid diet as a medically supervised "jump start" to a new plan. I hope that will explain the first few pounds. My immediate family knows and a just a couple of close friends who are very supportive. By characterizing it as "pulling a Star Jones" I think you put a negative spin on a very private decision. I thought the media was unduly critical of Jones for not "going public." Why should she? Just because other public figures choose to disclose, doesn't mean everyone else has to come clean. Do what you feel most comfortable doing. You will know when it is okay or "safe" to tell someone. If people start to ask questions, just say you are on a new diet. I know some people ask for details--I plan to say simply, "high Protein, low carb, several small meals each day, plenty of Water and exercise." That will all be true. Good luck to you.

Your weight while pregnant probably won't count, but your weight after you had the baby should. Also if you had annual check ups, the ob/gyn generally records your weight and blood pressure etc. Just another potential source for records. good luck

You mentioned that you had a baby, you should get records from your ob/gyn. See what those records show. I have CIGNA too and am about to submit for approval. A surgeon's office will be able to help you navigate through the insurance process. Good luck.

this all seems so arbitrary. I have a tentative surgery date--July 1--but my paperwork has not been submitted yet. The surgeon's office suggested I get additional paperwork documenting the 6 month diet. The few additional days may mean the difference between approval and denial. Trying to stay positive.

I have not been banded yet but I have been doing Pilates for over a year and I really love it. So much better than just doing crunches. There is no question that when done correctly, Pilates improves your core muscles. You will feel so MUCH STRONGER--even taller. It seems to me that the stronger your muscles are before any surgery, the easier your recovery will be post surgery. Just my 2 cents!

Like you, I have Cigna and a BMI of 40 (no co-morbids). I have not submitted my paperwork yet. The surgeon's office suggested I get additional detail from the doctor who supervised my 6 month diet. Also, my plan requires a 5 year weight history. If you read other posts, some people get have to jump through hoops, others get approval quickly. I think it depends on who reviews the paperwork and if you submit in the exact format they expect. Talk to the insurance/billing person in your surgeon's office. They generally know what each insurer requires. Good luck. T

Losing 151 pounds is amazing. You have changed on the outside, now you need time to change inside--how you feel about yourself and how you feel about how others see you. This will likely take more time than it did for you to lose the weight. Take comfort in knowing that there are many others who have gone down the same path and emerged happier and healthier. Perhaps a local hospital has a lap band support group you can join. Remember, you don't have to talk right away. Sometimes just hearing about other people's experiences can provide the support you need to deal with these issues. I echo what others have suggested--private counseling is an important part of the overall program. You can get through this. Let us know how things are going for you. I hope this helps you get through this rocky patch.

I paid $300 for my psych consult. $1200 seems very high, unless the fee covers several visits. I am hoping to go through NYU for surgery and the office requires all patients to see their psychologist. Call the surgeon's office and find out if there are other options, or if you can get a referral from your insurance company. From what I 've read on this site, every doctor has a protocol for the psych and nutrition consults. If the surgeon wants you to see this particular psychologist, get more details about why the fee is so high before you go to the appt.

I have CIGNA as well. Do you have an HMO or a POS plan? Most plans do provide some coverage for the psych services, subject to your deductible or co-insuracne (which varies by plan), and typically will then reimburse up to 50% of the usual fee for the service. So the NYU fee (I had my psch consult already) is $300. You will get a bill with a procedure code and diagnosis code that you can submit to the insurance company. If you have not met your deductible this year, you may not get any reimbursement. You should call CIGNA and ask about coverage for mental health services. I'm fairly certain the nutrition consult is not covered by insurance. If you have a flexible spending account for medical expenses, you may be able to get reimbursed through that plan (but that is just your own pre-tax money). Good luck. I have my appt with NYU on Thursday 5/15. I hope I have everything I need for CIGNA.

Thank you for your post about your meeting with Dr. Kurian last week. Good luck with your surgery. I was thrilled to hear that you got a surgery date so quickly. I figured I would have to a wait over a month, but perhaps not. Please keep us posted about your progress. I meet with Dr. Kurian on 5/15.

Wow, I am so surprised to hear about your experience at NYU. But I am supposed to meet with Kurian next Thursday. Based on your post I will call before and confirm all of my appts.

Cathychatts, Thanks for info about your experiences with CIGNA. Sounds like you and I have a similar weight loss/gain history. I do have the 6 month diet. Have requested copies of the records from my doctor. I haven't dieted for the last 3 months so BMI is 40 and holding steady (trying not to gain, but not lose either). Have 10 days until I meet the surgeon. Seems like the next 10 days will take forever. I'll post an update after the 15th.

I have CIGNA too. Can you tell me what you provided in terms of the 6 month diet? I have my appointment with the surgeon in 2 weeks. I've been reading about so many people that have to appeal at least once, it is a surprise to read about someone who was approved right away.

Every plan is different. But I know my ins requires a 6 month doctor supervised diet. For me that means I have to see the doctor at least 1 x per month for 6 months, and at each visit the doctor has to record weight, blood pressure, pulse, what we discussed about the diet and the exercise plan I was following. In addition to my doctor's records, I also obtained a printout from my gym, which maintains usage reports (I have to swipe my card each time I use the gym). I also obtained records from other doctors that show my weight over the past 7 years. I don't know if this will be enough because my app't with the surgeon is two weeks away but I remain hopeful. The surgeon's office is usually aware of what each ins company requires. You may learn more at the information session. Good luck.

Am waiting for surg consult too. Had the psych consult already and am gathering medical records. I want to have everything ready when I see the surgeon. Three weeks until my appt. Feels like it might as well be three months, or three years. My BMI is 40 and I have no co-morbids so for the first time in my life I'm not trying to lose weight, but I feel so uncomfortable. Counting the days and hoping insurance will approve....

Sorry about your news. Did the insurance co give you a reason(s) for the denial.

I had my appointment with Huberman at the end of March 2008. I have an appointment with Dr. Kurian on May 15th. Right now, I think it takes about 4 to 6 weeks to get an appt. I am seeing the nutritionist the same day. I think if you want an appt with Ren or Fielding you have go for twice once for the appt with the nutritionist and then make a separate appointment to see the surgeon -- but call the office and check. They are very helpful. I just asked a question in another thread about the time to get a surgery date at NYU. Looks like that will run about 4 to 6 weeks as well; depends how long it takes to get insurance approval. My insurance does require 6 month diet, which I've completed already. Hope to get a surgery date for June 2008.

Thanks for the info and good luck to you. Keep us posted about your progress. My app't is May 15--seems so far away. Hopefully, all will proceed quickly for me too. I am so ready for the next step.

I have a question about NYU--how long did you have to wait for a surgery date after your consult with Dr. Ren. I have an appt for my consult in about 3 weeks. Thanks.

I'm new to this group too. I have learned so much by reading the posts here and on other sites. Best to call your insurance company and make sure WLS is covered. I have learned that some employers do not cover WLS. Get insurance requirements--in writing so you can read them for yourself rather than rely on what someone tells you over the phone. Some insurers only require 3 months medically supervised diet, others require 6 months. Some companies will accept a five year medical history of obesity and numerous attempts at weight loss--as documented by dr. My insurance co requires 6 month diet. Having to go on the diet did put me in the right mind set, however, and I did lose some weight. I started to think that I could achieve my goal without surgery, but then I was sidelined with an injury last fall and I started to re-visit the idea of the lap band and concluded that it was best solution for me. I am pulling together records from all of my doctors-- weight at each visit, etc. in addition to records from the Dr that supervised the diet. I am also getting a usage report from my gym, which will show the date and time I went into the gym each day. Hopefully, all of this documentation will be enough. I see the surgeon in four weeks. I can't wait. The office will review all of my paperwork and submit for approval. I'm told that most insurance companies require 30 days to review the paperwork. I know how anxious you must feel, I want to do this already and get started with the rest of my life. But best to take the time to meet all of the insurance requirements beforehand. It is much harder to get approval after earlier denial(s) and appeals. Good luck to you.