tanderson

Dear Jodie, I have read this entire thread and I believe that even if you are not bi-polar, you are suffering from some sort of depression that should be addressed by a mental health therapist. And no, this does not mean you are crazy. The rape in and of itself is enough to warrant psychiatric attention. You shouldn't assume that simply posting the horrific event will be adequate enough to placate your psyche. Only a degreed professional can make that determination. You should also consider others' suggestions of seeking county public assistance. Even if you don't qualify, you could receive information of professionals who work on a sliding scale making treatment/therapy affordable to you. What ever your decision, I truly wish you the best of luck. Peace Out, T~:hippie:

OK guys, I'm on the bandwagon too. That is starting tomorrow because I totally just pigged out (Mexican food!:opps2:). But, on a positive note, I exercised yesterday and today!! Yay for me!! :cheer2: Since my surgeon does not require a pre-op diet, what do you think I should be eating right now? I know we can do this if we stick together and hold each other accountable! Peace Out! T~:hippie:

Well today I saw my surgeon (Dr. Naaman in Houston) and he agrees that I am a good candidate for the lap band. I completed all of my pre-op requirements for surgery, per Cigna,...psych eval, dietician consult, 6 month medically supervised diet (I actually did 7 though), diet history for the last 5 years, and 2 recommendation letters indicating that this is medically necessary. My BMI is 43 and I have GERD, chronic back pain, chronic knee pain, borderline high blood pressure, and depression. Sooooo the insurance girl at the surgeon's office said she will submit everything to Cigna in about 2 weeks...why it will take so long, I don't know because she has everything there in my chart, but anyway, after she submits she said that she will be in touch with Cigna every 2 weeks until they make a decision. The finance lady said that if I have everything that Cigna asks for, that they usually will approve the surgery. So please pray that I get approved! Also, do you think I should call Cigna at all during the approval process if the insurance girl says she is going to call every 2 weeks? Peace out... T~:hippie:

I had to ask my doctor to make sure when he wrote the diagnosises down on my chart, to make sure and write the obesity diagnosis last so that my insurance would pay for the visit. As long as there are other diagnosises BEFORE the obesity diagnosis, Cigna should pay. So in addition to your supervised diet, there should be other remarks in his notes pertaining to your obesity related ailments. Just make sure that he documents your weight, and his discussion of your diet (low calorie, low fat, whatever), and his discussion of your exercise every visit. Keep in mind that this 6 month diet will mean that you will actually see him 7 times as the first visit is considered the consult. Peace Out! T~:hippie:

I have Cigna insurance and I saw my primary care doc for my supervised diet. Since I have so many other health issues related to my obesity (low back pain, borderline hypertension, depression, etc..) , he simply coded my other health related issues first and my obesity code last when he billed Cigna. It works out because then insurance covers your office visits while your doctor documents your weigt loss efforts on the chart. Hope this helps. Peace Out! T~:hippie:

Hey Jpayton, As far as the 6 month weigh ins being mandatory, that all depends on your insurance company. I can only speak in regards to Cigna. Cigna requires certain things, that being one, and I am told that if you comply with their requirements, then approval usually will come. So, to answer your question, you would have to ask your insurance company. As far as the dietician goes, I set the appointment up from referrals I received from my primary care doc and another referral from my surgeon. I hope this helps some. Peace Out! T~:hippie:

Hey all, I too will be banded in June...My day is June 4th and I can hardly wait! My surgeon does not require a pre-op diet, but I will be starting one anyway as I have gained so much during the "jumping throught the insurance hoops" game. Keep in touch! Peace Out! T~:hippie:

Hey everyone, My surgery is scheduled on June 4th...woo hoo. I have to go for all of my pre-op tests and to meet with my surgeon again on May 28th. I can't believe that I am finally in the home stretch to becoming a bandster. My surgeon does not require a special pre-op diet. All that he asks is that you begin walking 30 minutes a day, take 2 Flinstones chewable tablets, and drinking 8 glasses of Water a day. I am curious what diets other bandsters have been on prior to their surgery? Thanks in advance to everyone's support! Peace Out! T~:hippie:

[quote=QuilterLaura; Now, I have to talk to my dear husband. He doesn't know I have been considering this surgery and knows nothing about it, I'm sure. I hate to even bring up the subject with him. How can I tell him? Anyone have any ideas? I told my husband after researching for months. I wanted to be able to answer all of his questions and to make him feel as comfortable as possible about the idea of me having surgery. I believe he supports me as much as he does because he knows how miserable I am, and he can't stand to see me not feeling well. Hope this helps! Peace Out, T~:hippie:

My surgeon will not book me until I have been approved by Cigna and, they have the letter in their hands. Peace Out, T~:hippie:

:update: :clap2: :clap2: Just got off the phone with Cigna and I was approved on 4-26. I called Amanda at Dr. Naaman's office and she cannot put me on the books until the approval letter is in her hands. But at least the hard part is over (the red tape part that is). She said once the letter is in I can be on the books in as quick as two weeks!!! I am getting nervous now!!! Thanks everyone for those positive vibes. I am sending them your way as well wherever needed. WOO HOO!!!!:clap2: :amen: :bump2: :music: :( Peace Out, T~ :hippie:

This video freaks me out, cuz I'm like thinking, I sure don't want this to be me!! I feel like I am motivated, but I am second guessing myself I think because I have failed so many times in the past. The last 2 months all I have done is eat EAT EAT and I am not even approved for surgery!! But I really feel like I am a good candidate because I am so tired of feeling so tired and unhealthy. And by the way, my mom works for a medical billing company and this video is a violation of HIPPA. Peace Out!! T~:hippie:

Well, I just got off the phone again with Cigna...I must have held my mouth right or something, because the guy I talked to was extremely nice (Mark) and he ACTUALLY gave me some concrete information. He was able to determine that there has been 22 pages of medical records scanned into their system on 4-11-07 and that they were sent to the review team today. So my review date begins today, 4-19-07, and they have to have an answer in 30 calendar days...so please keep sending those awesome vibes my way...I will do to the same for you all too!! :pray: Peace Out, T~ :hippie:

Everyone, You know what I think it is that we are so afraid of? I think that if we can't use food as our comfort anymore, we feel out of control and NO ONE wants to feel out of control. We are going to have to do some real soul searching to figure out what it is that is going to replace our friend. You know I quit smoking a few months ago, and that was easier than this is going to be because I don't have to smoke to live. I know when I lost mega weight (65 lbs) on Atkin's a few years ago, my comfort became exercise...omg, exercise? Every time I now think about it, I have to admit I just shudder. But looking back on that year it was true. I looked forward to my evening program of running and weight training. It felt so good to not let food control me any more. Isn't that ironic? On the one hand I don't want to lose the control I have over food, but really it is the food controlling me! HMMM...maybe I'm on to something. Talk amongst yourselves... Have an AWESOME Thursday!! Peace Out, T~:hippie:

Well I broke down and called Cigna today. I could not get anyone to answer whether or not they had my paperwork on file for sure. I talked to 3 different people. I don't know whether to try again tomorrow and ask that I speak to the person handling my case, if there even is such a person, or should I just wait the three weeks like my doctor said? My fear is that after the 3 weeks when I haven't heard anything back, that Cigna will say "We never got anything" and then I have wasted 3 weeks. I am a school teacher and I really need to have this surgery the first week of summer as I have a ton of plans this summer. Any suggestions anybody? Thanks and Peace Out! T~:hippie:

Hey Beverly, I too have Cigna and I have been jumping through their hoops since August 2006. My surgeon submitted my paper work last week and so I am now playing the waiting game. Advice: make sure you have all of your ducks in a row before you submit for approval. They want everything that they ask for, no exceptions. I wish you the best in your journey... Peace Out, T~:hippie:

396...you're talking in circles...c'mon, bottom line man. Peace Out T~:hippie:

Sorry 396power, I disagree. Reganomics, pseudonomics...simply a way to fatten the wallets of big business. Peace Out, T~:hippie:

I agree wholeheartedly that GWB does NOT care about this nation!! I have a paper my friend wrote around here somewhere that compares his ideology with that of Hitler's...I will post as soon as I find it. Peace Out T~:hippie:

In regards to Jack's post...what in the HELL are you referring to? The situation that Bush is in now has no correlation whatsoever with the Clinton/Gore administration. In fact, during that administration the national budget was BALANCED and for the FIRST time in history, this country saw a surplus!! Where are we now? But I guess you can't see that this country is in the worse shape ever looking through those rose colored glasses. Case in point, Bush WAS NOT elected, but APPOINTED president by the Supreme Court of the United States and he can investigate pertinent issues and events only as deep as the oil industry's pockets will allow him. Peace Out T~:hippie:

You guys, I am doing the SAME thing! I am eating everything in sight and I mean EVERYTHING!! I have gained 5 lbs and my surgery isn't even approved!! Does anyone have a suggestion on a diet I could start? Something to get me ready and on the post op road. My surgeon doesn't even require a pre op diet. What has everyone else done? By the way, you guys are great!! Peace Out!! T~:hippie:

OK, so it April 15th, I haven't lost any weight, in fact I have gained probably 5 or more pounds. I have been to see Dr. Naaman and I am waiting to see if the insurance company will approve the surgery. I am so nervous that it will all fall through. I need to do something about my weight ASAP because I am so fat. I have even begun to think that maybe I should get RNY. Dear Lord, pray for me!:pray:

OK, so it April 15th, I haven't lost any weight, in fact I have gained probably 5 or more pounds. I have been to see Dr. Naaman and I am waiting to see if the insurance company will approve the surgery. I am so nervous that it will all fall through. I need to do something about my weight ASAP because I am so fat. I have even begun to think that maybe I should get RNY. Dear Lord, pray for me!:pray:

Lexi, since when did losing weight NOT have to do with eating? Who are you to come in our forum badmouthing people who didn't ask for your 2 cents to begin with? If your private forum is so wonderful, why did you even get a referral to visit ours? And if you believe ours is night and day compared to yours, why did you even make any posts? Sounds like to me you should follow YOUR own advice, because it is obvious THE SHOE DOESN'T FIT!! Peace Out T~:hippie:

I am not sure about Health Link, but I bet if you start a thread, someone here is. I wish you luck in your journey to bandland!! Peace Out T~:hippie: