michiganer

Thanks Sooverit!! GinnyTwo-I hate to tell you this but there is really no way to avoid the 6-month diet. The best way to do this is to do everything Cigna asks. I went to a seminar in mid-January. I jumped through all the hoops and just got approved a few days ago. It only took me about 11 months lol. I know it seems like 6 months is forever but it is worth it. My plan with the whole diet thing was to just stay the same weight. I was worried that if I lost a bunch of weight, Cigna would say 'look, you lost weight with this program so now we won't approve the surgery for you'. I am not sure if my plan mattered at all to Cigna when they looked at my paperwork but it is what I felt I had to do. I was denied once I turned in everything for a reason that is still unclear to me. Then my insurance coordinator (the insurance person at US Bariatrics where I am having my surgery) got the surgeon to do a peer-to-peer. That means he spoke to one of Cigna's doctors and explained why I need surgery. It worked! I was approved a few days ago. I guess the moral of the story is not to waste your time trying to avoid the inevitable. Cigna WILL require the 6-month diet and many other time-consuming tests. My advice is to schedule it now. This board is full of support and many people have already been through what you are about to go through. Don't get discouraged and remember, there IS a light at the end of the tunnel! Good luck!

I actually meant the insurance is paying for my surgery so I feel like I am getting a big Christmas bonus. It makes me feel pretty satisfied to take some of their money after what I have been through at this shitty job! Hmmm...a 20,000 X-mas bonus would be nice too

Thanks Big Fred! I just spoke with the scheduler this morning and she said once I get my pulminary clearance and psych eval done, we can schedule a date. She said to hurry because half of November is already filled and some of December. I am on it though! I have an appt for the pulminologist on Thursday, I will be getting the chest x-ray today and I have left a message for the psychologist. I am a little annoyed about the psych thing because I have already done it with a psychologist that took insurance and I was cleared. But the place I am getting my surgery has a deal with this psychologist and you must go through her before they will accept everything. What sucks about it is that she doesn't take insurance and she charges $500 big ones! She has it made in the shade! Anyway, I really can't be too negative because I am on my way. $500 bucks is a tiny hurdle after all I've been through. I will keep everyone updated once I get through these things and get a date. Thanks for the support!! :bounce:

Well I wanted to let you all know I got approved by Cigna and they will cover 90% of my surgery! I was so discouraged when they denied me a few weeks ago but I am elated now! I don’t have a surgery date yet as I still have to have a chest x-ray and another psych eval by their chosen doctor. Thanks for all the support! WOO HOO!! I was also hoping to get invited to Eddie's pity picnic. I have worked at the same company for 8 years and I also used to like it. But now we keep doing these fucking re-organizations where we get all these stupid big-wigs poking their noses into everything. I work in a sales room at a major newspaper in FL and some upper management dumbass got this great idea to merge our sales room with another one in south FL. The guy he put in as our boss has breath that could kill an elephant and he screams at everyone like they are stupid. I alreayd have to manage 12 bitchy ass sales people that complain about everything-and now this?! I would have been out of there long ago if it hadn't been for the benefits. At least now I just got a $20,000 Christmas bonus!

Well I wanted to let you all know I got approved by Cigna and they will cover 90% of my surgery! I was so discouraged when they denied me a few weeks ago but I am elated now! I don’t have a surgery date yet as I still have to have a chest x-ray and another psych eval by their chosen doctor. Thanks for all the support! WOO HOO!!

I got a call today saying the Cigna approved me!! Woo Hoo!!! I can't believe this will finally happen! I started this back in January and it has been a long road. To all those that have Cigna and have been denied, don't get discouraged! The key to this whole thing is to stay on top of everything. It is a long road and only the determined will make it. Thanks for all the support from everyone on this thread!

BigFred, That is awesome news!! Congrats! I'm going to keep fighting the good fight and hopefully I will be approved too! Good luck and keep us posted!

Boo Boo you look awesome! Don't give up! Look at my signature. I am going through the insurance process right now. Let me tell you, it has been no picnic. We are all here to support you but you have to have the determination to keep going. I am determined because I can't imagine going on like this. I can imagine my health failing, a poor quality of life and an early death. If those things can't keep you going, I don't know what can. Think of your future without the band. Look at pictures like boo boo kitty and see what your future could be. I know you can do it!

Thanks Lucy. I am not even close to giving up. I am more mad than anything. When someone pisses me off, they just make me more determined. I am 'thinking it into being'. Thanks for all the support!

JennyPoo, My employer is out of FL and my Cigna covers it. I would do what ForestCat said and call them to get more answers. ForestCat, I am going to wait until tomorrow to see what happens. So far, the place I want to have the surgery has been really helpful and smart about how they approach things. The surgeon is the one that will do the peer to peer. Unfourtunately, my PCP is a jerk and he wrote me a really crappy letter of necessity. We didn't even use it when we sent the stuff to Cigna because it was so bad. I got a letter from my endo. I really think the peer to peer is what is going to do it so pray and keep your fingers crossed! :eek:

Big Fred, The letter I got was almost 2 pages of medical terms and their requirements for approval of the lap band. As far as I can tell, I have met all of the requirements so it really is a mystery. Someone on another board said their spous was denied but was approved after the peer to peer review. Even the insurance coordinator didn't understand the denial reason. I am hoping once the doctor gets involed, I will get approved....

:faint: Well, I have been denied by Cigna. My paperwork was submitted to them on September 20th and I got the letter dated September 28th this weekend. So needless to say, it was a crappy weekend. I was doing really good on my no-carb diet too and I totally fell off the wagon all day yesterday. I am back on today though. The letter basically regurgitated all of the requirements you have to pass for them to approve you. I am confused because as far as I know, I have met all of them. I spoke with the insurance coordinator who has been extremely helpful though this whole process. She said she also got the letter and doesn’t understand the reason for denial either. She said I have met all of their requirements. I really feel like calling Cigna some really bad names right now! I feel like I have jumped though a million f-ing hoops for them and then they have the nerve to send me some cryptic freakin letter. It really pisses me off! But I have confidence in Amanda (the insurance coordinator). She said that she is going to have Dr. Kim (the surgeon) do a peer-to-peer with the medical director (I think she meant Cigna) to find out what the problem is. Dr. Kim will be in surgery today and tomorrow so the earliest he can do it is Wednesday. I am tired of waiting but what is a few more days after I have been going through everything for months right? I am still confident that Cigna will approve me eventually. I have done all they asked and I am sure that they are just being nit-picky. Once Dr. Kim calls them, I don’t think they will be able to weasel out of approval. Pray that they approve me soon! I want to begin my new life! * Trisha *

Well, I have been denied by Cigna. My paperwork was submitted to them on September 20th and I got the letter dated September 28th this weekend. So needless to say, it was a crappy weekend. I was doing really good on my no-carb diet too and I totally fell off the wagon all day yesterday. I am back on today though. The letter basically regurgitated all of the requirements you have to pass for them to approve you. I am confused because as far as I know, I have met all of them. I spoke with the insurance coordinator who has been extremely helpful though this whole process. She said she also got the letter and doesn’t understand the reason for denial either. She said I have met all of their requirements. I really feel like calling Cigna some really bad names right now! I feel like I have jumped though a million f-ing hoops for them and then they have the nerve to send me some cryptic freakin letter. It really pisses me off! But I have confidence in Amanda (the insurance coordinator). She said that she is going to have Dr. Kim (the surgeon) do a peer-to-peer with the medical director (I think she meant Cigna) to find out what the problem is. Dr. Kim will be in surgery today and tomorrow so the earliest he can do it is Wednesday. I am tired of waiting but what is a few more days after I have been going through everything for months right? I am still confident that Cigna will approve me eventually. I have done all they asked and I am sure that they are just being nit-picky. Once Dr. Kim calls them, I don’t think they will be able to weasel out of approval. Pray that they approve me soon! I want to begin my new life! * Trisha *

:faint: Well, I have been denied by Cigna. My paperwork was submitted to them on September 20th and I got the letter dated September 28th this weekend. So needless to say, it was a crappy weekend. I was doing really good on my no-carb diet too and I totally fell off the wagon all day yesterday. I am back on today though. The letter basically regurgitated all of the requirements you have to pass for them to approve you. I am confused because as far as I know, I have met all of them. I spoke with the insurance coordinator who has been extremely helpful though this whole process. She said she also got the letter and doesn’t understand the reason for denial either. She said I have met all of their requirements. I really feel like calling Cigna some really bad names right now! I feel like I have jumped though a million f-ing hoops for them and then they have the nerve to send me some cryptic freakin letter. It really pisses me off! But I have confidence in Amanda (the insurance coordinator). She said that she is going to have Dr. Kim (the surgeon) do a peer-to-peer with the medical director (I think she meant Cigna) to find out what the problem is. Dr. Kim will be in surgery today and tomorrow so the earliest he can do it is Wednesday. I am tired of waiting but what is a few more days after I have been going through everything for months right? I am still confident that Cigna will approve me eventually. I have done all they asked and I am sure that they are just being nit-picky. Once Dr. Kim calls them, I don’t think they will be able to weasel out of approval. Pray that they approve me soon! I want to begin my new life! * Trisha *

Woo Hoo! You should be proud! Thanks for the encouragement. I look forward to the day when I won't fear the airplane seats. You're doing awesome and you give hope to those who are in the process of being banded. Thank you!!

Hello family. Just wanted to give you guys an update on my progress. I finally got to submit my paperwork for approval on Thursday! I am praying my insurance will approve me asap! I started this journey in January and have jumped through all of their hoops (6-month diet program, cardiologist, psychologist and PCP). I have come too far to be denied now! I also have to start my pre-op diet today. I am thankful that it is a no-carb, small portions diet instead of the liquid diet most people are put on. To be honest, I am a little scared to start all of this. I am realizing that today is the first day of the rest of my life and soon I won't have the same lifestyle I have had since birth. It is somewhat scary to give up that control. But I just keep telling myself that food is controlling me and I am slowly dying because of this addiction. My roommate (and no that is not code-word for girlfriend) is also my best friend and she is going to do the diet with me! She is so supportive and I thank God for her everyday! She is excited for me and she is also excited for herself because she said she is going to lose weight simply because there won't be any more bad food habits in the house. It will be good for both of us. Anyway, please hope and pray that insurance approves me asap! I will let you guys know when I know more. *Trisha*

quote=insubordination;571722]</p> <p>Huge NSV for me. I was so worried about this. I stand by my choice of aisle. Awesome! I wouldn't have tried the tray table either! I look forward to the day I don't have to ask for the extender. I am tired of being embarassed! By the way, what does NSV stand for? April: I have to start my pre-op diet tomorrow. It is low calorie and virtually no carbs. I also have to cut my meal portions in half. I am relieved that it is not a liquid diet! I have done Atkins before so I am familiar with low carb. I was wondering about cheating too but I am going to try my damndest to stay on track. I don't want my doctor to say my liver is too fatty to do the surgery. I am waiting to find out if my insurance will approve in the meantime which doesn't help my stress level. Usually stress makes me eat more not less lol. But I am going to keep coming to these boards and getting the encouragement I need. I count myself very lucky because I don't have to go liquids only! Good luck and know that I am in the same boat with you. Keep posting and we will encourage each other! *Trisha*

Ok everyone, please continue praying for me. My paperwork was officially submitted yesterday for approval with Cigna! I have been waiting for this day forever! I am praying and praying that they will approve me! I will let everyone know when I hear something. Thanks! Trisha:)

I hope to have the surgery before the end of this year. I have been thought the 6-month nutritional consult for my insurance. I read a lot about people out there that start to eat less before their surgery. I have continued to live my life the same way I always have. In fact, last night I went to a buffet. I just want to hear if others out there who are now banded did the same thing. Did you continue to eat like normal until you were put on your pre-op diet? If you did, do you regret it? I am just wondering if I am going to be shocked after I have the surgery and realize at that moment that I cannot eat the same ever again. I could make it easier on myself and start to eat less but I keep thinking that these are the last times of my life that I will be able to eat as much as I want. Its sick and twisted but that is the way my mind works. I don't want to give up the food until I am forced to. I just want to know there were others out there like me who are now banded. Hopefully the band will change my mentality and I will not depend on food so much. Help!

BarBee, I feel the same way. I am excited but I don't know what I will do if it fails. I feel like this is my last chance. I take comfort in reading all of the success stories on this board and I soon feel better. If you are feeling doubtful, just read some stories and you will feel better. Promise! I am glad that this thread has been made. I am about 330lbs and have almost 200lbs to lose. Just know that we are all in this together and we are all here to support each other!

Good luck Big Fred! Here's to a LITTLE Fred!!

I have been on vacation for 2 weeks so I haven't posted the latest. I just got approval from Cigna for an office visit with US Bariatrics! This is just my foot in the door. I still have to get them to approve surgery but at least I have something. Amanda who is the insurance coordinator said that because they are out-of-network, getting Cigna to approve an office visit will help us when we submit everything for surgery approval. I am expecting a call from their nurse who will ask me a bunch of questions and decide if I need any more clearances like cardiac clearance. Hopefully she will call today and we can get this thing moving!!

I am hoping to be banded soon and was just curious how bad the needle pain is with fills? Its funny because I am not afraid of the surgery or giving blood but straight needles going into my stomach kind of freak me out. So in your opinion, how bad does it hurt when they stick you and how long does it take for the actual injection? Thanks!

I am trying to get approved by my insurance for banding and I am curious about something. I notice a lot of people speak about food on ounces. My question is, are you weighing your food or are you eyeballing the ounces? How do you know 4oz or chicken from 5oz? Many people say "Only drink 3oz sips of water" or "I eat 6oz of tuna for dinner". Is it just something you get used to knowing? If my doctor tells me to eat a certain amount I want to make sure I do but I can't figure out how everyone knows their food in ounces. Can someone enlighten me? Thanks!

Thanks to all who responded! It is nice to hear of others that are afraid of needles. Its funny that I am not really afraid of the surgery but I am afraid of a needle in my stomach lol. It is a small price to pay for the benefit the lap band will give me. I just wondered what everyones experiences were. Thanks again! *Trisha*