Sabrina0916

I have Aetna and it seemed like forever until I got word of appoval. I actually phoned their office after 7 days every other day for status check. Total I think it took close to two weeks (and they told me it could take a month). I called the phone number on the back on my card and phoned and wanted to get an update to my pending surgery. If they say it is being processed, ask if there is a reference number yet and if they do write it down and use it for future calls as reference if needed. I was the first to get word that my surgery got approved, I then phoned my doctor's office with an approval number and they phoned Aetna to verify and then the ball got rolling! Good luck!

AJAMES, I haven't really munched on raw veggies too much. I ate some cherry tomatoes last night and I did have a sugar free popsicle. That's like a crystal light drink or a diet drink, just frozen, right? I'm doing relatively well, not craving suprisingly. I think I just need to focus on what I want, to be healthy. So far so good. I'll check in tomorrow. Trying to make myself accountable.

Congrats on the approval. What a great feeling! I have not quite yet made it to "the other side" but I am on my second day of liquids and I gotta tell ya, for me, I am going through this discovery that it isn't the eating that may be the culprit here, it is the emotion behind the eating. Eating is really a symptom of something; not the cause. I have not had a bad childhhood, or any traumatic event that I am aware of so for me I am trying to find the reasoning to all of my madness. I think this is a big stumbling block for those who haven't addressed those issues so, that would be my advise at this point because though your portion sizes will be smaller, the thought processes you have remain the same. If you know what your issues are, work on alternative ways to deal with them other than food now so it isn't a shock to the system later or so that you don't replace a bad habit with another bad habit. Our journey is only beginning... Congrats again!

Mountain girl, Great advice, thanks!! First day of liquid diet, I get four high protein slim fasts and raw veggies and I did pretty good. Surprised it sustained me all day but I was told to take them at 8am,1pm, 5pm and 9pm and at the 9pm one I had a sugar free popsicle and some cherry tomatoes and I was good. Bring on day #2. I also purchased a book called A Course in Weightloss by Marianne Williamson and so far it is helping me use my faith to overcome issues or reasons I overeat. I highly recommended for anyone going on a pre-op liquid diet. I listen to a little a day and it is helping keep me inspired. For now...

[i am December 13th. I start my liquid diet in the am. It seems tough but it is going to be the beginning of a new lifestyle. So I have to do SlimFast high protient 4 times a day and can drink my coffee in the am (Thank God) and eat raw veggies in between the protien drink. My sister is a size two soaking wet and yesterday she gave me bags and bags of clothes size 10. I'm going to hang a few a day in my closet to get me inspired and just start working out and try to keep myself busy. I am single so it is easy for me to empty out the fridge to resist temptations. I'm going to log in daily to keep me inspired. Good luck Cindy. I would love for us to keep in touch as support for each other. Good evening... Happy belated Thanksgiving....(we had ours today) I will be starting my 2 week liquid diet on Tuesday, November 30th.... I plan on using unjury. As far as I've read on these boards, people seem to like it pretty well. I've not tried it myself though. As for after I have the surgery......December 15th...... will I still be on the Unjury? or will it be a clear liquid only? (planning/shopping purposes here) I am also wondering if there are any others getting their surgery on the 15th? Cindy

Someone asked me for the number I phoned to find out if I got approved for surgery. It was 1-800-636-4297. Honestly it was luck of the draw. Sometimes I found the representatives to be very informative and others were just doing a job. Once they told me I was approved, I asked for a reference no. and I then phoned my MD office and asked informed them I was approved and gave them the reference no. I had so that they could easily confirm this. I got a letter later that week that I was planning to fax to my MD office (even though Aetna informed me they sent one to my MD office the same day) to get the ball rolling if there were any issues. I was just lucky there wasn't.

I'm having a little trouble navigating through this site. Someone asked me a few says back for Aetna to see if they were approved or not for surgery. The number is 1-800-636-4297.

Hi everyone. I belong in this group! I'm scheduled on December 13, 2010!!

I did hear from Aetna on Wednesday and they did approve!! I'm sorry if you mentioned in a prior post, I am new to this site and am learning my way around this. Have you seen the Aetna clinical bulliten? I guess you only get two chances at an appeal. I would make sure each criteria is listed on your appeal. I probably would advise that your doc write the letter since you only have two shots at it but maybe you can ask to see it before it is sent? Here is the link to Aetna's clinical bulletin I mentioned... Obesity Surgery Good luck!

Awesome Bob! Thanks for motivating words!

I don't live in NC but I have heard that BCBS HMO have been good with approving surgery but with all the insurance companies you will have hoops to follow.

Would you consider writing your own letter to Aetna as well? There is medically necessary letter on this site somewhere for patients. That is what I used. Who knows if it did anything...

I am so sorry you got denied 1st time. I hear that can happen a lot though I don't get why it should. Are you phoning Aetna for updates? I did daily on my way to work!! I heard about the approval before my doctor did and maybe it can provide some insight as to why they denied it. Just a thought. Good luck!!

Hi Nikki. I'm a little shy but coming around to this site. Decided to send a private message on this one. I am a nurse and deal with prior authorizations frequently but not for bariatric surgery so this experience was somewhat of a double edged sword. I have Aetna and they required 6 month supervision as well. It so happens that my psychologist that my bariatric surgeon referred me to was under my insurance and dealt specifically with weight related issues and emotional eating is a big percent of my problem and we collaboratively decided that I should see her monthly for my "medically supervised medical evaluation". What they required was a monthly height and weight and a discussion on weightloss and some sort of changes you made re: your diet. For example, during my 6 months I actually put on weight, about 10lbs which to me validates my emotional eating as I reacted to the news about the 6 months wait but then I started to journal and talk about my eating habits and how I modified them and lost only 5 lbs in the 6 months but I think bad habits were changed which worked in my favor. I found out today I got approved!! I decided to submit a letter on my own behalf, alot of the information I got right from this site. I think I searched medical necessity letter and I curtailed it to me. I talked about my attemps and the research I have done. I talked about my family history of heart disease and diabetes on both sides and how my siblings struggle with weight and how one has high blood pressure. One will never know if this worked in my favor but I think it did. It added personalization about my story and my efforts outside of medical requirements. I thought I'd share the info. Good luck!

Hi Renee, I don't think your physician will require you to sign anything. I think he will document in your chart that he encouraged you to quit as smoking puts you at increase risk for post operative complications. I understand your struggles being an ex-smoker myself. Prior to your surgery you will likely need a chest x-ray and if anything comes up it may post-pone your surgery. I hate to be the bearer of bad news I just want you to succeed in your journey and wanted to give you some info.

Good for you. Your date will be here sooner than you know it! I have been to a few support groups and have seen the liquid diet be a great head start for some people. Hang in there! I'm thinking when my time comes (hopefully!) I am going to work on creating a vision board, I think that will help preparing and post op keeping motivated and in perspective on what is most important to you.

Hi everyone! Must be very exciting to have a date scheduled! This pre-op preparation has been long and grueling for me! I have Aetna and it seems they have a criteria to follow prior to authorization. So, I did everything that they asked, submitted a letter of medical necesity myself and now I am left to wait. I wouldn't understand why they won't approve if they don't, I have followed their requirements precisely, we'll have to wait and see. I am thinking postively that once it does get approved I can offficially become a November Bandster Girl!! I am also looking for a buddy to share this experience with, so that we can motivate and be accountable to one another. If anyone is interested, let me know.