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I have a Cigna HMO plan. I am more than 100 pounds over weight, BMI of 41 and sleep apnea. Has anyone been able to get Cigna to pay for the lap band surgery? I am in the early decision making process and honestly cannot afford $12K plus out of pocket. Thanks!

OK as of today i'm down 65 pounds. ive been sleeve for eleven weeks. so not bad. i down from size 24 to size 20. Hunger is not an issue in fact food never crosses my mind. i had to take tiffykins idea and set an alarm to eat. But when i woke up this morn I looked in the mirror and was like ok where is this damatic change going to pop. i'm losing faith that i will ever be skinny again. when i think of 65 pounds i'm like wow that alot but to me it doesnt really show. maybe i'm feeling sorry for myself i don't know. i have a 109 more pounds to go and i feel like i've been climbing moutains to get over each pound and i'm like omg another 109 pounds!! i'm never going to get to the top!:confused1: SO to you heavey weights or use to bes how did you keep faith and knew the sleeve was for you. Doubts about what wls i chose are getting the best of me. thanks:blush: nikki

You can not drink them if you want to be flabby and deficient. If you are not going to drink protein shakes, you will need to drink protein drinks and such. Protein saves your muscles while you lose weight rapidly. I bought the Nector Chocolate protein shake mix and it's awesome! You should definitely try it, doesn't taste so fake i guess. Try researching other ways you can go about drinking your 40-60 grams a day of protein. Ask your nutritionist.

I have Arizona MercyCare (Mercy Care) AHCCCS Medicaid insurance. I have had Pseudotumor Cerebri (PTC) for three and a half years and I finally decided to look into weight loss surgery about 3 years after I was initially told to do it by my neurosurgeon to help the PTC. I started my 6 month physician monitored weight loss in March 2014. My weight fluctuated due to steroids and medications I was on for the PTC. Overall I lost 21 lbs, but one month I was up a few lbs. Because of that month, my surgeon's office said that was why I was denied the surgery. However, after speaking with the insurance appeals guy, he sent me what was sent to my surgeon's office: "Failed physician-supervised exercise and nutrition program (with regular visits every 2-4 weeks). These must be documented in your doctor's progress notes. Exercise and nutrition programs must be for a cumulative total of 6 months or longer in duration. Details of low calorie diet and physical activity with accompany change in weight need to be documented in the medical record at each visit. Records must document compliance with the program and you must not gain weight during the program. The submitted notes do not show these" So there are several reasons that I did not get approved. It looks like the surgeon's office needed to put more effort into their notes from my visits. Has anyone had to deal with this? It also looks like they are saying that I did not go every 2-4 weeks. I think the surgeon's office schedule my visits for the same date each month, which could be more than 4 weeks apart. (Usually there is a few more days from Nov. 1 to Dec 1 than 4 weeks). So what do I do? I've appealed and I am awaiting my appeal. My surgeons office has been horrible from the start. I had to start keeping documentation and now have the hospital's patient care person come with me to all meetings with the surgeon's office because of the lies and things that did not get done to begin with. They say they have changed a lot about the way they do their business after I made a complaint to the hospital and they lodged an official investigation. However, I still feel like this is going nowhere and I'm not sure what to do. I am in constant pain. I lost my job due to the PTC and haven't been able to hold a job since -- PTC requires a lot of sick days and doctor visits so it is hard to keep up with that and a job. Does anyone have an appeal letter they would be willing to share with me? I am willing to share the letter I wrote as well if someone needs it. I don't know if it will work for an appeal though since I have not heard back regarding mine.

I have Cigna and they do cover weight loss surgery. Call the number on your Cigna ID card and ask them for a copy of your employer's particular policy. Weight loss surgery is option and some employers opt out.

I am 7 mos post op. I am able to eat just about whatever I like. Sometimes I just want to eat on and off all day. Sometimes I wonder if this is because I am not getting enough calories or just wanting more. Either way I am terrified that I will do something that will undo all that I have done to lose my current amount of weight (82 lbs and counting). I am wondering if anyone is having these kinds of feelings or struggles? Sent from my SM-G935P using the BariatricPal App

I finally have lost the weight the dietitian has ordered for me to do and now my papers are submitted to my insurance! 😬 How long did it take for your insurance to approve you?? What if they don't approve you, what did you do?? 🙃

Thanks! I'm just taking it day by day. That weight loss definitely helped to keep me motivated.

Newbie here and this is my first post. I am 50 years old and had my first consultation visit today. I've contemplated WLS for several years, but always talked myself out of taking the first step. This was partially my mentality "others lose weight on their own, why can't it?", and partially because I just didn't have the family support I knew I needed, and partially because I was a single mother trying to raise to children and working full time. I now know that I have tried numerous times to lose weight on my own and have lost some, but then I gain it back plus. You know, the old yo-yo dieting thing. My family is now being supportive for the most part, there are still some who are not on the band wagon with me, but that is their problem, not mine. And finally, my kids are basically grown, one is still at home, but old enough to realize I'm doing something for ME for a change. As I said I had my first consultation visit today, and I'm very excited. It was all good news!! My insurance should cover the surgery with no problems. My physician requires that I get a psych eval., a nutrition consult, a letter from my primary care doctor that he recommends the surgery, and 3 multi-disciplinary classes. If things go good, I could have a surgery date by the end of June - mid-July!! I work for a school district and this time frame is important as I want to have surgery during the summer. Plus I've been told that TRS is changing insurance companies effective September 1, and the new company requires a 3 month wait time. The down side of everything today, is finding out my financial portion of the surgery. Because of my deductible, and co-pay I'm responsible for paying over $2,000, just to my surgeon. That does not include the psych eval., nutrition consult, getting a PCP to write the recommendation letter, and hospital!! So much more than what I anticipated, and it all has to be paid BEFORE surgery will be done!! Well, that's my story...and I'm sticking to it..lol. Any advise, tips, words of encouragement will be greatly appreciated!! Happy Friday to everyone and I look forward to making any and all acquaintances.

Well I went in about a month ago and he took all of the saline out now I've gained 20lbs since coming back to work but I go back in a couple of days to get some saline back in back to square one. On one note when I got pregnant I did not remove any saline whats so ever and only gained 30lbs with my pregnancy so that was good but my journey is far from over. thank you to all that replied!

There is no way to tell from this information if you are going to be a slow loser, but what you are experiencing is normal. I came home heavier than when I went in, then about two weeks later lost 10 pounds in a week. However, I lost about 25 pounds the first month. I also don't know your weight, but 30-40 pounds is a pretty big expectation. It might happen, but it might not, either. I think the worst thing we can do to ourselves is have unrealistic expectations because then we are continuously disappointed. Wish I had figured that out a little sooner Good luck.

All my clothes over size 20 (up to 24) that is 6 weeks out, down to size 18 - thankfully can shop in my closet! Got rid of the clothes like I did the weight. Made me feel like I lost 10 more pounds, lol. Will NOT go back!

Oh the joys of being able to just shop again... I sooo can't wait for that day. LoL as for Bra fittings you get a better idea of what style/size bra you need if it's sized with out a bra. Anytime I've been sized I remove my bra put back on my shirt and let the lady do her part on finding me the right size. And no you are never to old to shop victoria secret.. My sister in law is 42 and still shops there. Grant it she has a small small build, but still she shops there, and we will be small soon enough right? I just can't wait to shop clearance. LoL I told my husband there are always wonderful clothes on clearance, but they are always to small, and they NEVER have any 2x-3x shirts that would fit me on clearance. I can't wait for the day I can shop and walk out with a new wardrobe for the same price of 2 new outfits in the plus clothes.. I am sooooo lighting up right now with the thought of all the clothes I'm going to buy. I may not have any fashion sence but gosh darn it I have a sister in law that dresses sooooo cute, and can help me along the way to learn what suits me and what doesn't.. Have fun shopping "just don't over do it, your still loosing the weight" and forget what other people my think...

I wish we had a Macy's here but we don't. I need to go get sized for a bra. My boobs are definatly droopy so there'd be no way to measure them w/o a bra on. I'd get a 38 Long and flat if that were the case. Gap has some nice clothing for I think about any age and banana Republic but they can be quite pricy. I know I've gone with a 25 year old very well dressed friend to those stores and also my 60 year relative who is a business woman. I don't know about their size though. LL bean is another you can check out and maybe Eddie Bauer? Something funny I was also thinking of when I read this. I've always been the odd girl (Piercings, dyed hair, outrageous clothing) but now that I'm losing weight I don't find myself attracted to mainly all odd styles. I think before it was "Notice that I'm odd not that I'm fat" and now I just don't care. Helluva a change being I'm 32. : /

Early in this journey, I only weighed myself when I went to see my physician. Now that I am at goal, I get on the scale eveymorning before showering. I want to make sure I stay at this weight. The only reason I did not weigh daily when losing was becasue I did not want to become a slave to my scale. I lost a lot of inches while building muscle and it would have been depressing not to see the numbers get lower. So I say yes own scales but don't allow the scales to rule your thoughts on WL, there are many NSV along this journey.

My surgeons office sent over my paperwork to UHC on March 5 and yesterday I got a call from the office saying the ins company is looking for more weight documentation. I called the ins Company before I pay and obtain a yr from kidney doctors office because I had to loose weight before I had left kidney removed and we had weigh ins for months in 2011. The ins co says it doesn't say they are in need of any additional info. Maybe the office wants to be prepared in case? My surgeons office says they think we should be approved shortly.

Congratulations!! YOu won't have much restriction now. There is nothing in the band. Sometimes it takes a few fills before you feel full. I had my first fill and really haven't felt a lot of restriction. I have my second fill on 1/21. Looking forward to it, I'm starving! I was told that you don't usually lose a lot of weight until your fills. Good luck

I can't decide if I should go for another fill or not. To be honest, I totally despise getting a fill. The process itself isn't that bad. I just hate the liquid diet that follows. Anyways, I've lost 114 lbs since being banded the end of November. I've only had two fills total and am unsure of the size of my band. If I'm not mistaken, I've had a total of about 1.5-2 cc. between both fills. Lately, I've found myself consuming more food in a meal. I'm a teacher and have not been on a good eating schedule this summer. I've only been getting two actual meals in during a days time since school has been out. Also, I've been enjoying ice-cream like it is nobody's business! I think I've let it become my third meal of the day!! With all of that said, I am still losing weight. I weigh myself once a week. Last week, I lost 3 lbs. So, should I go for the fill or not? If I don't have one this Friday, it will be the end of July before I have another opportunity.

Congrats! Hope you are doing well. I am the same height and weight as you are. I wanted to get in touch with some newly sleevers, as I am scheduled for surgery on March 11th. When you are able to write more, can you tell what you did to prepare for surgery with eating and the Protein? Thanks much and wish you great success. Aileen

PT has lots of good points for you! If you have come this far into the process, you must have done the research and thought it out more then once. Keep giving yourself the space to think, and be sure you want to take this step. You are young, and right now might be the opportune time for you, and then again that might not be true for you. Think about your past attempts at losing weight. Have you been able to do it and keep the weight off? If you were overweight as you got older would you be able to accept that and all the health ramifications that might come along with the extra pounds? If you did the surgery today would you be able to live with this tool in your life and follow the guidelines and make it work for you as you got older? Surgery is never an easy choice, no matter what our age. I can tell you that I have not regretted making this decision at all so far. I am still in the honeymoon phase with my band Only you know what is right for you and your lifestyle, so don't let anyone talk you into or out of it. Ask yourself some pointed and focused questions, make a list of pro's and con's and then see how you feel about it now, and then again in a few days. Best of luck to you!

Happy new year to me...this is the first time I can make a resolution to lose weight and I know I will do it! I am already looking forward to 2009 so I can see results of my surgery and change in eating/exercise. I think its really going to happen this time. My surgery is scheduled for Monday Jan. 14 2008. I start my hi protein/low carb 2 week diet on New Years day. I am a bit nervous, I think it is going to be a long 2 weeks, but knowing the end is in sight has got to help. Right???? I have so many emotions, I am a stressed out mama right now! I started this journey in August 2007. I can't tell you exactly what made me decide to do it now....I think it is Gods way of telling me. Or my brothers, I don't know which. I finally allowed myself to look in the miror and see who was looking back - and I freaked out that that fat ugly person was actually me. Before, I knew I was fat. But if I didn't see pictures of myself or look in the mirror it wasn;t really "REAL". Like I was actually going to escape it by doing that? i just triend not to think about it so it would go away. I could always blamne it on all the pregnancues - but when I look at women with more children then me who are in good shape, I had to find another excuse than just being big boned or prone to inheriting those genes from my dad. Well, my hopes of it magically going away didn't happen. My clothing size kept going up. I had no visible neck anymore, just a few extra chins. I couldn;t sit in chairs when I went out to places....and sliding into the booth at a restaurant was embarrassing I could hardly breathe. My back ached. My knees began to bother me. I was tired of walking anywhere and feling like I was going to die from lack of breath. I still can;t bend over to tie my own shoes. I can't ride rides with my kids or even get on a bike without fear of not fitting into or on it. My kids friends made comments that i was fat, and I knew it hurt their feelings. People could always descibe me to someone who didn't know me...shes a pretty girl with brown hair, you know, the really fat one. I was an embarrassment to my kids and my family. I didn't even feel desirable to my husband - even though he said he loved me no matter what. All I could think was my fat rolling around and i couldn;t even be on top anymore for fear of suffocating him. How could someone want to be intimate with the likes of this? i was so disappointed that I had let my mom see me get to this weight. i know she has been so worried and sad for me. I actually turned into one of those women whose arms are as fat as her legs, and who had a belly that stretched down to the middle of her thighs. My shirts couldn't even cover my stomach without it peeking out from underneath. I never understood how peeple could let themselves get like that...and look at what I did. I was now one of them! I am only 41 years old, and I want to LIVE a long and happy life. i do not want my family or my kids to bury me because I had no willpower and died prematurely because I didn;t take care of myself. I havaen;t even had the same relationship with God lately because I am so disgusted that I messed up a wonderful life he gave me. It's time for me to get it back, i just need help along the way and support so i don;t give up anymore! Well, i am going to weigh myself tomorrow and see what happens. It's the start of a whole new year and a whole new life for me too. I'll write more later. :nervous :sick :embarassed:

Howdy Brandi! You and I were sleeved around the same time. I was worried my loss had stopped. I gained 3 pounds from too many BBQ's, parties, vacation and birthday celebrations. I went back to eating sensible and getting in my fluids and dropped 5 pounds this week! Praise God...FINALLY! I haven't heard about the pouch test, but plan to check it out. I also thought of going back to my pre-op liquid diet. I am 22 pounds from my final goal. I am excited! Good luck!

Welcome back! Congratulations of your upcoming bundle of joy. At least this time you have the tools to not only have a healthier pregnancy but the plan to lose the baby weight. Take care of yourself and the little one!

Surgey scheduled for the 7th of March. Down 3lbs in two weeks. Goal is to lose 10 before day of surgery. Pushing the fluids hard. Hope I can do it.

Congratulations on your weight loss. Just keep in mind the surgery alone is only meant to help you lose around 50% of excess weight (weight at surgery - ideal weight). The rest is just changing up metabolism through changing exercise regime and caloric intake. Good luck on getting the rest of it off.