jenz75

Hello all: (this may be a long one!!) =) My name is Jenn & I haven't been banded yet. I have been reading posts for a while, replied to a couple, but that's about it. These past 6 months have been weighing on my mind. Not to mention, going through hoops for the ins. (Cigna) LOL Also, should I tell my friends/family or not, etc. At this time, I have been approved & now waiting on the Dr to call back for the date!! I am 34 yrs old with one son (12 yrs old now). Married to a wonderful man of 15 yrs. After I had my son, I gained lots of weight - now up to 275!! Hello PCOS!! What I can't believe is that I was 175 at 9 months pregnant!! Now, thinking back to when I was pregnant... I found out that I was pregnant at 3 months. We thought about kids, but never knew if it would happen. So, my whole out-look on life changed. I started my dr's visits to make sure everything will be ok. In 6 months, I will have a new baby in my life. Started to look forward for the "Big DAY!!" Even though knowing that I would have to go through giving birth, but it would be worth it when it's over. As the days got closer to my due date, I got more nervous & excited. A wide range of emotions. Starting to get ready for it.. (nesting, getting diapers & formula ready & preparing the house) Well, that's where I am at today. In my lap-band journey- that is.. Back in July, we decided to go to a Seminar.. Went to my 1st Dr.'s consultation & knew that this is the decision that I want to make. After going through my ins requirements.. (6 mo. diet, sleep study, ekg, etc) I realized that this is going to be another big life changing moment in my life. Now that I am "approved" & my "due date" is near.. I'm now starting to get ready for my "Big Day!!. (nesting, getting house cleaned, going through clothes..) I am feeling excited about giving birth to the new life - ME!! I am looking forward for the new life!! I know at the beginning I will be scared, like being a new mom, want to do everything right. After a while, it just becomes natural. (that's what I am hoping for anyways!!) Then down the road, I can be proud of myself as I am proud of my child that I have brought into this world!! I know that this isn't a "quick fix", but I also know that I didn't bring in an awesome 7 yr old son who could already play soccer!! LOL I haven't updated my profile with pics as of yet, but I do plan on posting some in the near future!! Thanks for taking the time to read, I knew you'd listen!! =) Jenn =)

With my Cigna policy, I needed a letter of medically necessary from my PCP. (From a physician who was NOT performing the procedure; in my case, was my PCP. ) When the surgeon sends in his 1st consult claim, that's when he sent in his own med necc letter. The ins processed the claim, sent back my policy info to my surgeon's office & said- this is what is needed. 6 months diet, leeter of med necc from other than the performing surgeon, 5 yr weight hisory. etc.. So- that's where/how I got my 2 letters of Med necc.

Hi Chris- I also have Great West part of Cigna. I was approved today!! First submission at that!! I just made sure that I had all of my stuff in line prior to the submission. -which was submitted last week!!

I got my call this morning.. Guess what!!?? I was APPROVED!!!

Hi- I also have Cigna. I am waiting for my pre-determination claim to be "approved". I know that they want the 5 yr history. If you happened to be under 40 BMI during that time, either I needed to write an explanation or have some co-morbities (sp??) Rather sad- I was banking on high cholesterol!! LOL Also, I had to have a "medically necessity" letter from BOTH my PCP & surgeon. I went to a psychiatrist.. it wasn't a 3 hour tour. It was a general 45 min - 1 hr visit. Yes, I had to explain my childhood & such. But, she felt that I was "mentally" ok for my new challenge in life - lap-band!! =) Anyways- at this time my case manager has it & I am waiting for her response. *she just received my med necc. letter from PCP** (which I have her contact # and email - I have been speaking with her weekly throughout this process) Hope this helps.. Jenn =)

My husband is very supportive of me having the lap band. He even suggested it since I am having so much trouble losing weight for the past several years. And he even went to the seminar with me so that he could ask questions "for me". He wants me to be healthy & live long & prosper. However, he is afraid that once I lose weight - other guys may "notice" me & try to take me away from him!! LOL Of course- I do joke about - if I lose weight - I may need a refill on the boobs!! Of course, he has read on Cosmo (I won't tell him that I told you!!) that most women tend to leave their husbands at the late 30's and after they have breast implants.. -Um, that's about to be knocking on my door!! lol We have been married for 15 yrs, I started at 135 lbs at wedding day to currently 275 lbs. (hello depo shot) With that type of comment- sometimes I am afraid to lose weight so he won't think that I am cheating on him!! LOL (Yes- we have gone to counseling.) I do understand about feeling "comfortable" around him - so therefor not feeling I have to lose weight to get my "mate". Anyways, I as just wondering if others have had the same or similar situations from having the band & losing weight. Jenn

My Cigna insurance has a 90 day pre-existing. I was active as of 7/1/08 - they wanted to see is I was treated for this since 4/1/08. I don't think that I was. I guess I am not understanding the "pre-existing" to deny the claim when they are also wanting a 5 yr medical history to approve the surgery!!

Hello All: I have started my journey into the insurance "approval". I have been reading about the wonderful Cigna requirements & am currently going through the 1st stages of getting approved past the "pre-existing" stage. Here's where I am at: Seminar - July 8 Consult - July 28 Psychology/Dietician - Aug 5 1st Claim submitted - Aug 8 Claim Pended for "pre-existing" - Aug 18 Submitted Credible coverage from other ins - Aug 22 ok- now that I have all of that out of the way!! LOL Anyways- I have been trying to mentally prepare myself what is to come after the surgery. I have even written down some great suggestions. HOWEVER, in the meantime I have been eating like there's no tomorrow!! I feel like I am waiting for the ins to say yes & then the Dr to say - here's your pre-op diet.. Does this make sense?? Thanks for reading.. Jenn =)

WOW!! Thanks for all of the great feedback!! This is better than what I get from my own counselor!! LOL

Emilie- Yes- I do believe that I need the 6 month supervised diet- however, they havent asked for it yet!! LOL I live in Hurst. (mid-cities)

Ok- I am debating on telling anyone at work. They are very much a close knit group & if I go into surgery one day- come back & very sore. (not knowing that i had surgery) They're gonna ask.. Are you ok?? 1) I am very quiet about my personal life at work. I am very sure that they'd be supportive. But, I kind of don't want them to know because I don't want the questions of - How much have you lost YET!!?? I know that they would be trying to be supportive by asking that question too!! LOL It's going to be VERY easy to keep it from my own family - I don't see them that often - except for holidays. And a few b-day parties here & there. Thats it!! (maybe 4-6 times a yr) So- I guess my thing is; should i "make-up" another excuse for the few days that I would need off?? -trying to plan this- LOL My husband is VERY supportive about this decision. Actually, he is the one who asked me if I had thought about it & we went to the seminar together!! =) Jenn

I think that he may be going through the "mid-life" crisis thing. Afraid to be alone or something.. (he does travel a lot with work) Don't get me wrong- he is an awesome hubby & you can't find these types of guys too often!!! (he does dishes!!!) LOL

I'd say.. "Sure, you can borrow some of my "fat" clothes!! LOL

OMG!! I have the same friend!! LOL I did include her in my "family" list of people who NOT to tell. I see the people at work more than her now anyways. They are the ones who would be real supported rather than - "Oh, but you carry your weight well" BS!! My friend too is about maybe 30 lbs overweight & with her telling me if I just cut back on Dr Peppers - I could lose weight. Seriously?? Well, I haven't drank any in many MONTHS!! Heck- I may not even tell the girls at work & just say - I was sick with flu or something & then felt like going on a "diet" afterwards.. LOL

Thanks for all of the great replies!! I am really enjoying site for all of the great support & feedback!! I think that I will keep it to a minimum at work- & my family will just have to wonder!! LOL

Aunt Lucy- Yes- it feels like I am treating each meal like it's my last!! Darn it. Of all things, I have been drinking Dr Pepper more than usual as well. Of course with the society of "Have it now" is lingering in my mind. Before I found out that my Cigna ins will pay for it - with many leaps & bounds to meet. I had gotten approved for credit to have it self paid. So, I could present it to my dr to do it "now" but- if I could save money.. I am going to go through the loops to have Cigna process it. =)

Emilie- I just got my ins (Cigna) July 1. I started my new job back in March. So, they are requesting pre-existing condition info from my other ins - if I had any. I do currently have ins )Aetna) thru my husbands - however - the procedure is an exclusive. Meaning they won't even bother consider it. I guess it just all depends on the actual policy that our wonderful employers pick for us!! lol Also, I went to my own PCP to gather my own med history. 1) I was rather curious of how much weight I have gained & co-morbidities that I had in the past 5 yrs!! Oh ya - I have gained weight!! 215 to now a wonderful 275. Co-Morbities - I got'em!! lol My birthday is in March- So I am hoping to have it done before/by then. This is for the "new me" =)