tanderson

I know I have seen other threads where people have had to hire attorneys who specialize in the rights of obese people, maybe you could start a thread asking for some help in this area. Another question, did your primary care doctor or surgeon write a letter of medical necessity that was submitted to your insurance? And if so, maybe you should look in to appealing before you do anything else. Look around this forum and or start a new thread. Someone here will be able to help you. By the way, what insurance do you have? Peace Out T~:hippie:

So I called Amanda today and she said everything was faxed over and she had a confirmation . She said it usually takes 3 full weeks to hear anything back from Cigna and that they (my surgeon's office) would handle everything from here and that it would not be necessary for me to call Cigna at all. So now comes the hard part of waiting. Just wanted to share with everyone to see if you wouldn't mind sending positive vibes my way... Peace Out T~:peace:

Hey, I remember this post from a while back. I cut and pasted it for you. If it doesn't work, you can find it under the insurance links. Hope this helps. Peace Out T~:peace: ProsperNLose vbmenu_register("postmenu_410082", true); Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Age: 26 Posts: 39 This Is How I Paid! I have posted many posts,about how to get insurance approval or how to get a loan,I could'nt get either because of my credit score.I was watching ABC News: C:My DocumentsAbcNewsProsper.htm and they talked about People to People loans,borrowing from common people. It's great and it did work for me. The link to this site is below: http://www.prosper.com/public/groups...e=ProsperNLose __________________ This is how I finally got financed ,its so easy they are people to people loans. Click on links below: http://http://www.prosper.com/public...e=ProsperNLose Prosper In the News(ABCNEWS):Bad Credit Borrowers Can Get Loans From You http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2923967&page=1 Every loan varies it's depending on you credit score, interest rate cap in your state and your ability to pay back the loan,everyone gets 3 yrs to pay back their loan typically.

I called the surgeon's office today and as they told me last week, they probably will not submit to Cigna until NEXT Thursday. I don't know why I am complaining, the lady there told me this was the case the day I had my first consult. I was just hoping that maybe she would have submitted sooner. I am just so tired of waiting...and not to mention I am beginning to believe that I will fail at this too if and when it finally does happen. Peace Out, T~:hippie:

Congratulations on being smoke free....AND the wierd thing is that I quit on the EXACT same day as you did...Doesn't it feel wonderful!!:clap2: Peace Out, T~ :hippie:

I'm sorry, I don't understand the concept of "first bite syndrome"...could someone elaborate? Peace Out T~:hippie:

Also, there is NO way to look at the inside of the stomach after a bypass other than cutting it open. So if you have stomach problems a gastroscopy (tv camera going down the throat) will not be possible. The first surgeon I saw refuses to do bypasses for this very reason. Peace Out T~:hippie:

I'm surprised your surgeon would even put you on the books before hearing back from your insurance company. My surgeon will not do anything, other than the initial consult, until we hear from Cigna.:girl_hug: Peace Out,:hippie: T~

Hey everyone, I was wondering if anybody was approved by Cigna that could not show proof of being obese for at least 5 years. I understand that this is a requirement and unfortunately I can show proof of obesity (this last time) for only a little over 3 years. I have all other documentation ready. Should I proceed and see what they say, of should I wait? Thanks for any advice, T

OK...I am still waiting to get approval, but I am freaking out after reading some of the post op posts. I have an extremely LOW tolerance to pain. I basically have two levels...either I have pain, or I don't have pain. I am reading from others that they are on Darvocet for pain or just plain tyelonol. Is this really the case, because neither one of those will do a thing for any pain I might have from the surgery. What did everyone else take after surgery? Peace Out T~:hippie:

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. Please keep your fingers crossed that everything will work out the way it is supposed to. You guys are great! Peace Out T~ :hippie:

My doc gave me a card that states "this patient has a Lap Band implanted..." and he told me to keep it paperclipped to my insurance card in case I was not able to speak for myself. But in my mind I am thinking, who in the he@@ could even find anything in my purse? Peace Out :hippie: T~

Fortunately I do not have an exclusion on my policy. I hope that all goes well with your appeal. Thanks for praying for me and I will for you. GOOD LUCK! peace out T~ :hippie:

Hi Newband, I haven't had my surgery yet, but I have had my gallbladder removed via laproscope. The gas pain does not come from your digestive track. It is due to the surgery itself. In order for the surgeon to see his way around your abdomen throught the scope, he has to inflate the abdomen with gas...I don't remember what kind though. Anyway, after the surgery is over, it is inevitable that there will be some gas left in your abdominal cavity. This normally takes 5-7 days to be absorbed by the body during which time you will have pain, sometimes severe, in your stomach and or shoulders. The pain comes from the pressure the gas exerts on nerves in your abdomen. But I understand the Docs do a good job of prescribing adequate meds for pain control. Hope this helps. T

I would contact your insurance company and ask them. Good Luck!

still waiting.....

I know there are more of you out there that have used Dr. Naaman from Houston, Texas. I am beginning to get cold feet about the band and would like some feedback from others who have been banded by Naaman. Where are all of you? Please respond. T

Thanks for the info

Has anyone used Dr. Naaman from Houston, Texas? If so, could you please share your experience with me. Thanks, ~T

One of my insurance's requirements is to see a nutritionist. I was wondering if some of you out there could give me the details of your nutritionist's appointment so that I could compare notes. I really would appreciate any information about what exactly happened at your appointment. Thanks so much, T~

Dear bandsters, I am about ready to submit all my information to my insurance (Cigna) company for approval. I have a few questions. First, I have 7 consecutive months of documented doctor's visits for weight loss, psychiatric eval, nutritionist eval (will go back for last visit in 2 weeks) and blood work. Did I cover everything? Second, in your opinion what are my chances of getting approved? I am 42, 5'7'', weigh 265, have chronic low back pain, fatty liver disease, elevated cholesterol, occasional leg and ankle swelling, occasional high blood pressure, occasional chest pain, difficulty sleeping, and chronic depression. Third, I would like to know what a typical day in the life of a bandster feels like. Could someone let me know how much you eat, what you eat, when you eat, how you eat, and how quicly you feel full since you've had the surgery? I am very curious. Any other information or words of wisdom would be really great as well. Thanks, Trudie:)

To all of you who replied....THANKS so much for your help. Especially you Kat817!! I was still on the fence trying to make up my mind for sure, but after your description, I know this IS the right choice for me....again THANKS!! Trudie

Dear x ray chic....just curious. You actually found a doc to band you with only 55 pounds to lose?

:clap2: Congratulations to both of you...I wish I was where you both are. I am still in the "how high can you jump through the hoops for your insurance (Cigna)" phase. Good luck and maybe I won't be too much farther behind ya'll. T~:biggrin1:

:hungry: I am so worried about this 1 month eating diary that I could puke...I am supposed to write everything down that I eat for one month and then return to the dietician for evaluation. I did really good for about 5 days, but then today, I had a binge. I ate a whole box of thin mint Girl Scout cookies!! I am worried that if I don't lose enough weight, or if I write down my binge, that the dietician will not recommend me for the surgery. She told me when I had my first appointment that she does and will deny patients surgical clearance. Is this possible?