Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

I am a first grade teacher from Connecticut who started the pre-op process in April of 2013. My surgeon assured me on multiple occasions that I most definately would be able to get the surgery done before school started at the end of August. I speedily finished all of my necessary appointments needed to submit my case to the insurance company. The entire time I went to the surgeon, I was told that Cigna (my insurance company) was the enemy who took 30 day or more to get back to them.

I called Cigna at around 4:00 today to inquire about my surgery case. Afterall, my doctor told me they would submitt my paperwork ASAP and I had last seen him on July 10th. The representative at Cigna was very nice and put me on hold to see how everything was going. I explained to the woman the same thing I told the doctor.

1.) I am a first grade teacher.

2.) I HAVE to get the sugery done this summer before school starts on August 28th.

3.) If I do not get the surgery done before school starts it will affect my students and their learning.

4.) It will put off when I can get the surgery until October (if they do not hurry up) because no teacher in their right mind would let a sub teach their class the first month of school. The first month of school is where you set your classroom rules and establish a classroom environment. This is especially important in the earlier grades where they are not as familiar with school routines yet. We also get all of our fall benchmark testing done in September.

After waiting 10 minutes on hold, the woman says that "Your doctor did not submit your paperwork until July 30th."

Wait...what? I saw my surgeon on July 10th! Why did it take 20 days to submit it when they told me they were all set?!

The Cigna rep told me that she could not speed the process up any more either. At the most they could try to hurry it after day 24, but that's right when school starts....

After getting off the phone with Cigna, I called my doctor's office to raise holy hell, but of course, they're on vacation until August 12! I am so disappointed with them right now because they knew I HAD to get this surgery done before school started. I can't wait till they get back so that I can hear their excuse for taking 20 days to submit my paperwork.

I now have to

1.) Go back to school without the surgery done and explain to everyone why.

2.) Take 1- 2 weeks off from my poor class to recover

Sorry for my rant. I'm just so upset :(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ahh man thats just terrible. This is why I trust noone. I would be calling every day to ensure everyone is doing their job :D Just shows you how much of a routine/business this really can be

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

so sorry that the doctor's office let you down. I know it won't help with this delay but I bet nothing like this ever happens to you again. I'm sure it's been a lesson learned.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am a teacher as well I was scheduled for July 2 and had insurance issues so had to postpone. I am now scheduled for Oct. 4th the Friday before Fall Break. I was disappointed but here are the positives I can share with you. Most everyone I talked to said a week would be sufficient for a not labor intensive job. Also I seriously veg out during summer break, tried my pre op diet before I knew I had to change my date and 3 days made me crazy. Sitting in my house watching tv, soooo many food commercials. Back yard parties are always bbq's and I am a boredom eater...at least now the pre op diet will be while I am super busy, busy enough that this big food lovin' girl forgot to eat a few times last year. So October is not that long to wait and time will fly by. I know it sucks to wait for something you want so bad. I have waited 8 years for this a few more months should be fine. And also if it is early Oct. hopefully we will be able to have a little turkey on Thanksgiving! Lol

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi I feel your pain. I'm a teacher out here in Atlanta GA and fortunately things went well. I told the surgeon I had to have it done before August 1 as school starts here August 12 for the students although teachers go back Aug. 6. I had my surgery on July 18th. All I can say is doctors don't have a sense of urgency about anything and they don't quite get the responsibilities that teachers have and how we do like to schedule surgeries during the summer since we get such a long break. I would write a letter to them complaining so maybe they would assist you in other areas in the future as far as time of appointments and followup visits etc. as I see my doctor's last apt is at 2:00 p.m. so its like more time off school for that. I wish you the best and hope that you are able to get it done soon. Patient dear one. Patience :) Halimah

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

    • Sandra Austin Tx

      I’m 6 days post op as of today. I had the gastric bypass 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×