DawnC

I have Cigna too. I only had to see a nutritionist once. The 6 months of supervised visits I did at the docs office. Went in every month - they weighed me, talked to me about how I was "supposed" to be eating and that was it. I did have to write down what I ate every day and what excercise I did - of course the whole thing was a total fabrication... My first visit with the lap band doc was 04/16. I have only seen the doc one time in 6 months - rest of the time was a nurse or PA. Last visit was 09/25 and insurance was submitted. During the 6 months I did the nutritionist meeting, psych consult, got medical clearance from my family MD...seemed like it was going to take forever at the start but here I am. Cinga approved me in less than a week. Went to cardiologist last week and now just waiting for him to clear me. That part didn't have anything to do with insurance - had to get that done for the surgeon.

I feel ya! I received insurance approval after 6 months of their rules and then found out I needed cardiac clearance. Now waiting on doc to give that - had echo done on Friday so hope to have it today or tomorrow. I just want a date for surgery!!

I had to do the 6 months too. When I started, 6 months felt like forever!! I am now done, have my insurance approval so all I am waitig on is cardiac clearance. I was supposed to have Echo last Wed but whole family caught a virus (including me) so I didn't have it done until Friday. So, once the heart doc clears me - my date can be set. It will go by faster than you think. In April - I thought Oct would never get here but it did....

I have an appointment with a cardiologist tomorrow for medical clearance. Anyone else have to do this? What do they do? Doc won't schedule surgery until I have this done.

Well, all I have to do is an Echo. Scheduled for tomorrow. Doc said I should have results by Friday and then they will schedule my date. I did the 6 month diet, nutritionsit, psychologist, clearance from family MD, and upper GI. I didn't want to wait another month for whatever the cardiologist wanted to do but I explained to him this was my last step and he was very nice about it. If I am cleared by the end of the week - I will be cool with that.

I can't wait for the day I don't think about food all the time. Over the last few years I feel like that is all have I have thought about. Consumed my thoughts so much - I would eat when I wasn't really hungry. I am on my pre-op diet now. I feel like I am doing pretty good with it. Still think about food but know I can't eat it so that pretty much stops me from pigging out! I should have my surgery date this week - doc says I will get my first fill at 4 weeks. I am so excited to have something to help me control my own brain.

I just found out I was approved!! 6 months of waiting is over!!!!Woooo Hoooo!!!! I should be able to join the October Bandsters soon!!! :smile:

I just finished my weight loss visits and info was submitted to insurance on Monday. The last six months - I have not dieted one bit and did gain 5 pounds. It is a mind set for me. I told myself after the surgery, no more of this junk food and I will eat no more junk food. In my own mind - the rest of my life will be adjusted to behaving like a "normal" person when it comes to food so I lived it up (so to speak) the last 6 months.

I have not been banded yet but I have had a severe allergic reaction to an antibiotic. I was given a shot of Rocehpin and within 2 minutes I had passes out. Woke up in the Emergency room hooked to a ventilator. Come to find out, my heart stopped and I had quit breathing. Ended up in ICU on a ventilator for 10 days (developed pneumonia while in there). I was major swollen - head to toe. Sounds like they didn't get all the antibiotic out of your system.

I have been trying to figure out to put the ticker in for months!! Guess I will find out if I did it correctly this time after I submit this...

I am in the same boat - 200 lbs @ 5'1. Friday is my last visit before insurance can be submitted. I am hoping - hoping - hoping to have surgery in about three weeks. I can't wait. I eat junk food but I do like healthy food. With my BMI lower than 40 I have not lost any weight the last 6 months...gained about 10 pund actually. I am ready for healthy food in small portions. I can eat carrots - no problem....but I will eat 100 of them!!

The day before surgery do you have to drink that NASTY stuff that cleans out your bowels and do an enema? I had laproscopic surgery on one of my ovaries and had to do that - vomited the second bottle. Not sure if I can handle it.

Question - Did you do weekly weigh ins or monthly?

When you find out I would love to know!! My last weigh in is on 09/25 and that will finish out my 6 mos. Have everything else done and ins can be submitted after my last visit. My lapband advocate seems to think I can have surgery mid Oct....I hope so!! This last 6 months seem to have been loooong!!

I really like the idea of small utensiles!! Am going to go get some ASAP! Want to be 100% ready when it comes time to eating solids and I think this will keep my attention on it thru the meal.:thumbup:

Sooverit, I noticed you were denied 3X by Cigna. Do you mind if I ask why? I have a 36 BMI but I have bad sleep apnea and I am on blood pressure meds. Was it because you needed a co-morbbidity?

I plan on quitting smoking but have not set a date yet - just planning at this point. Does anyone smoke with the band? I have heard some docs won't do the surgery if you smoke. My doc has never said anything about it. Just wondering if I need to take steps now to quit - hoping to have the surgery in October.

I have seen the "sweet spot" mentioned several times. What is it?

Has anyone been approved thru Cigna since they changed the requirements? They took out the 24 months of proof of BMI. Has that made a difference?